Lebanon’s Jad Dana returned to familiar territory in the main ring at Wellington International with a win in the $32,000 IDA Development CSI3* Power & Speed on Thursday as FEI show jumping returned to Wellington, FL, during ESP Pre-Charity week.
During the start of the 2024 season, Dana had a breakout start to his year by pocketing nine international top 10 placings at Wellington International. Picking up where he left off this week, Dana rode Fleur-de-Lis’ Cherie to another hometown win for owner The Cherie Group.
“It feels great to be back,” said Dana, 29, who is based in Wellington. “I was looking forward to the season starting back up again, and it couldn't have started any better. It's very difficult to win any class in Wellington, so if you do, it's even more rewarding. Hopefully we keep it going this way.”
Competition at Wellington International is beginning to ramp up for the winter season as 46 horses took to the Hector Loyola (PUR) designed two-phase track. Dana set the standard early on his second mount of the day. Fleur-de-Lis’ Cherie broke the timers in the speed phase in 28.76 seconds for the win.
“I love all my horses, but this mare is something special because she tries very hard for me,” said Dana of the 12-year-old Dutch-bred mare (Clarimo x Lancer II) that carried him to the win. “I know if we lose—many times—it’s because I did something to take the win from her. It's almost like she knows where the next jump is, so she turns really well and she's very fast. She's game, so on a day like this when she's feeling great and really wanting it, she's unbeatable.”
Fractions off the winning pace in 29 seconds flat, Nayel Nassar (EGY) was the runner-up riding Linguini de la Pomme, owned by Evergate Stables. Rounding out the top three from a field that included representation from eleven different nations, Luis Pedro Biraben (ARG) took third aboard Vasco 109, owned in partnership with Miguel Madero.
Dana also finished sixth on his first mount After Eight, owned by Springhill Farm. Looking ahead to the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) season, which kicks off on January 1, Dana will be focused on stepping up a level with his seasoned grand prix mounts Caro W and Itchcock des Dames.
Also riding to victory in the International Ring on Thursday, Australia’s David Cameron won the Bainbridge Companies CSI3* 1.40m riding Beijing LS La Silla for owner Laura Sloey, and Roberto Teran Tafur (COL) topped the Ringside Health 1.35m Stake aboard Hinosa C, owned by Glenlin Farm.
Competition during ESP Pre-Charity week continues Friday with the $32,000 CSI3* Arthramid Vet Grand Prix Qualifier in the International Ring and comes to a peak on Sunday in the $140,000 Flagler Insurance CSI3* Grand Prix. Hunter athletes also share the spotlight on Friday in the USHJA National Hunter Derby in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Stadium.
To view complete results from Thursday at ESP Pre-Charity, click HERE.
