After a week-long pause, competition is back underway at Wellington International! Riders are returning from their summer travels and settling back onto the showgrounds. This week’s courses come from FEI Level III course designer, Andy Christiansen (ECU), who brings his thoughtful and technical style to the derby field.
Friday’s highlight event, the $10,000 1.40m Open Stake sponsored by Bainbridge Companies, saw Ireland’s Cormac Hanley take the top spot aboard “For Dad”, owned by Heathman Farm, LLC, with a swift clear second-round time of 36.18 seconds. Israel’s Ashlee Bond and “Vago Chin Z”, owned by Clermark Equestrian LLC, followed close behind to claim second with a time of 37.388 seconds. Rounding out the podium was Madison Wayda Smith riding her own “Scenorrado VD Hunters Z”, stopping the clock at 39.223 seconds for third place.
The $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Parlanti International, saw USA’s Jennifer Bliss take the blue ribbon aboard “Fair N’Square”, owned by Kimberly Narlinger, with scores of 88 and 94 for a combined 182. Ireland’s Cormac Hanley earned his second podium finish of the day, placing second with “Cruislier”, owned by Chris Stinnett, on scores of 86 and 90 for a total of 176. Third place went to USA’s Jenna George and her own “Chaperone”, who received scores of 85 and 90 for a combined 175.
The 1.30m Open Stake, sponsored by Zen Elite Equestrian, was won by USA’s Victoria Colvin aboard her own “Nina VC”, producing the only double-clear round to take the victory in 42.633 seconds. Fellow American Faith Davis claimed second with her own “Carmit T”, finishing on 4 faults in the jump-off with a time of 42.4 seconds. Colombia’s Andressa Quadros and her own “Starsky” secured third place.
Tanner Korotkin (USA) and “Cardozo 4”, owned by Todd Minikus LTD, claimed victory in the highlight class on Sunday, the $24,999 Haig Landscape Grand Prix, after delivering the fastest jump-off round in 45.069 seconds. The competitive class saw 22 horse-and-rider combinations take to the arena, but it was Korotkin’s speed and precision that secured the top spot and the lion’s share of the prize.
Wilton Porter (USA) piloted “Lupina Colada”, owned by Sleepy P Ranch BV, to a strong second-place finish with a clear jump-off time of 45.348 seconds. Brazil’s Lucia Rivas and “Okidoki Van De Renthoeve”, owned by Bonne Chance Farm LLC, completed the podium lineup after finishing in 48.486 seconds with one time fault. With riders representing both U.S. and international talent, the class highlighted a dynamic field and capped off the weekend with thrilling sport.
Following a successful week of competition, attention now turns to the ESP Florida State Fall. Highlighted by the Region 10 NHSAA/Maclay Regional Championship, the THIS/NHS Adult Area Championships, and the Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3” Area Championship, the upcoming schedule is set to deliver another memorable week at Wellington International.
