Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Naomi van het Keizershof had been knocking on the door of a major win since the beginning of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The wait was over on Friday of Week 5 as they got their victory in the $32,000 1/ST CSI2* Qualifier as the season approaches its halfway point of 12 consecutive weeks of FEI competition in Wellington, FL.
“I went for it today,” Springsteen said of her approach to Olympic course designer Gregory Bodo’s (FRA) jump-off track, where she was one of 16 to contend after a clear first round. “I took a risk from one to two; I wasn’t sure I could get there and I really went for it.”
The Tokyo Olympic team silver medalist competed early in the order of 68 entries with several fast pairs behind her also joining the jump-off. She put in her best shot and it proved to be enough by a tenth of a second with a winning 36.74 seconds on the clock. Nicole Walker (CAN) took second with Atout des Trambles in 36.84 seconds, and France’s Marie Hecart was third aboard Vahinee, owned by Normandie Connection, with a time of 37.07 seconds.
Springsteen knows as well as anyone how competitive WEF is, especially as the season builds, so she was thrilled to get the win. “[Naomi] is a mare you can be competitive on so I try to use her speed to our advantage,” explained Springsteen, who also picked up a five-star win on the mare at the end of 2024. “I felt really fast but it’s so competitive here; you can do a fast round and end up somewhere in the top 10. Luck was on our side today and it worked out.”
Springsteen has a special approach with Naomi due to the mare’s competitive nature. “I try to bring her up and down a bit,” she explained. “She has so much talent and ability but I try to keep her comfortable and confident because she is such a winner. I try to keep her in classes she can win in because she’s so competitive. My plan—after this weekend— is to step back up again.”
The 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood (Cardento 933 x For Pleasure), owned by Stone Hill Farm, has been in Springsteen’s stable for quite a while, but they took a bit to fully hit their stride. Now, their consistency is showing in spades.
“I’ve had her since she was 6 years old,” Springsteen continued. “It took us a long time to gel. At one point I wasn’t sure if we were the right fit. I learned that I have to try to ride her more securely; really between my hand and leg and give her that confidence. She has such a lovely canter she invites you to get out of the seat and hunt a little, but she needs to feel you secure and with her. That’s something I always try to remember—especially in these jump-offs.”
As Springsteen works on a rebuilding year without a major championship in the immediate future, she anticipates more success for Naomi and the other up-and-coming horses in her string. She and Naomi turn their efforts towards Sunday’s $62,500 1/ST CSI2* Grand Prix and aim to continue the competitive streak.
For full results from the $32,000 1/ST CSI2* Qualifier, click HERE.
Nayel Nassar and Ivory TCS Lead the Way in $62,500 Bainbridge CSI5* 1.50m
Nayel Nassar (EGY) snagged a win to start the day on Friday in the $62,500 Bainbridge CSI5* 1.50m aboard Ivory TCS, owned by Evergate Stables, LLC. Ivory TCS, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Falaise de Muze x Ukato) has been in Nassar’s string for about a year and the pair has achieved big milestones already, this win at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) being among their best results.
“They say you don’t really know a horse until you’ve been with them for a year but we actually got to know each other pretty quick,” Nassar commented. “There are always tweaks, little things in her flatwork that we’re trying to improve. She’s pretty low balanced so getting her head up a little more and getting her on her hind legs, which hopefully gives her a little more stride.”
The class was set in a speed format over a Gregory Bodo-designed (FRA) course, and Nassar ended up about half a second faster than second place, which went to Roberto Teran Tafur (COL) and Iron Maiden, owned by Rocking Basilisk Farm, LLC. Third place was awarded to Laura Kraut (USA) and Emeraldo 4, owned by Stars and Stripes.
Nassar currently leads the International Rider Standings, presented by Michael & Wendy Smith, with his consistent results aboard up-and-coming mounts, including Ivory TCS as well as his Grand Prix winner during WEF 1, ESI Ali.
“It’s one of the hardest circuits to be good at all the way through,” Nayel remarked on his consistency thus far. “We’ve been doing this for a few years now so we are trying to get a feel for how to balance the horses’ schedules and our schedules. It’s about picking the right ones for the right weeks. We’re just trying to find that consistency across all levels.”
Nassar still has some secret weapons he has yet to pull out at Wellington International this year, including his Olympic partner Igor van de Wittemoere and CSI5* grand prix winner Coronado.
Before those more seasoned horses get a chance to shine, Nassar will bring ESI Ali into his first CSI5* Grand Prix under the lights Saturday night in the $385,000 Fidelity Investments CSI5* Grand Prix. The 10-year-old jumped his first CSI4* Grand Prix during WEF 3 and has proven to be a horse capable of the top levels.
“It’s a unique opportunity to be able to go into the same ring so often but have the atmosphere change,” he continued. “It’s cool to see him grow into those night classes and feel what real show jumping feels like.”
For full results from the $62,500 Bainbridge CSI5* 1.50m, click HERE.
