Michael Murphy (USA) and Kaida CM’s partnership is one year in the making, and they’re proving the pieces are really falling into place by securing a win on Sunday of Week 4 at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in the $62,500 Griffis Residential CSI2* Grand Prix. Highlighted by 12 weeks of consecutive FEI competition, WEF continues through March 30 at Wellington International in Wellington, FL.
South Coast’s 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Kannan x Indoctro) put in a very quick jump-off with Murphy aboard to best seven pairs that challenged Anderson Lima’s (BRA) short course.
“My horse is so quick,” Murphy—a Wellington local—said of Kaida CM. “If she's clean, she's quick. She's better when she can gallop. When I try to ride her too slow and make her too traditional, it's not her style.”
The jump-off proved to be just the mare’s style Sunday, earning her the win. In second was Carlee McCutcheon (USA) aboard Aralyn Blue, owned by Ann C Thompson, and in third was Michael’s wife Lauren Murphy (USA) aboard Voltanos.
The win was another notch on the horse’s record as she and Michael Murphy continue to test the gears together. “She won a three-star grand prix over the summer, and she’s won a few ranking classes,” he said of her progression. “She has a lot of blood, so it's been taking a long time to learn how to manage that.”
If he’s learned anything working with the mare for a year, it’s that, “You can only make her do something one out of five times. She's a really strong-willed mare and some days she wants to be put back in the stall or turned out in the paddock. You have to listen to her. If you don't listen to her, she'll make you listen.”
Michael Murphy found the horse through six-time U.S. Olympian Mclain Ward and Stonehenge Stables’ Max Amaya, originally intending the horse to be paired with an amateur rider. Since the first day he sat on her, it’s been a range of highs and lows, but he’s pleased it’s becoming far more highs than lows now that he knows the horse better.
Echoing how many other riders feel about jumping on the grass derby field and mixing up the environment during WEF 4, Michael Murphy said, “I love the field. We base here in the summer, so we get the show out here all the time. I think the horses are happy to be over here and for them, it's a good breath of fresh air. And it's great jumping on grass; we don't get to do that as often anymore.”
As someone who spends most of his year in Wellington, Michael Murphy does enjoy having world-class athletes amongst his company during the winter months. “It makes you raise your level,” he remarked. “There's more riders here, and it takes more to win. The quality [riders], they push you, which is great. It makes you ride better.”
To see full results from the $62,500 Griffis Residential CSI2* Grand Prix, click HERE.
In the $62,500 Hermès CSI4* 1.50m Classic during the MARS Equestrian-sponsored WEF 4, former Olympic Champion Ben Maher (GBR) reigned with Corlander, owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright. Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts took second aboard Derby de Riverland after winning the WEF Challenge Cup earlier in the week, and Cian O’Connor (IRL) was third with Belvedere, owned by Paseo Farms, LLC. The competitive class saw 14 clear rounds and ultimately six double-clear.
Ellie Sadrian and JJ Torano Claim Junior Hunter Championships
Seventeen-year-old Ellie Sadrian was feeling like a bit of a bridesmaid, being named reserve champion three times this season and not yet securing a championship. That streak ended Sunday of WEF 4 as she was named champion of the Voltaire Design Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division aboard Wonderous.
“We imported him three years ago,” Sadrian, of Palm Beach, FL, said of her partnership with the 13-year-old Warmblood gelding. “He moved me up from the 3’3”. We had a successful indoors this year and he was perfect.”
Wonderous, or “Sugar,” as he’s known in the barn, has always given Sadrian a great deal of confidence, able to move up and keep staying strong through their years together.
“I’ve had him the longest out of all my horses so he’s what I know how to ride,” she explained regarding where the confidence comes from. “He’s a really good jumper, not the best mover but we did really well in the hack this week. He’s consistent.”
Sadiran piloted Wonderous to second place under saddle after winning twice over fences with a high score of 88 over two days.
As for goals for WEF, Sadrian shares similar goals to many other hunter riders across the showgrounds. “I want to do really well Week 6 and make it to the [WCHR Hunter Spectacular] night class,” she said. “I want to have a consistent year because this is my last junior year.”
Paige Walkenbach took home the reserve champion title in the Voltaire Design Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division riding her own San Pedro 15.
Unlike Sadrian and Sugar’s long-term relationship, JJ Torano, 14, of Wellington, FL, rode Filou’s Lady for the first time on Saturday. They then won their first tricolor together on Sunday. With the Rafferty Farm-owned entry, Torano earned top ribbons all weekend to be named champion in the T&R Development Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under division.
“Yesterday was my first time ever sitting on her,” he said of his brand-new partnership with the 13-year-old Oldenburg mare. “I’d seen the horse a little bit; I have friends who have ridden her. The horse is with Boggs Hill the Goguens and they gave me the opportunity to ride it this week in the junior hunters.”
Torano’s method is simple: “I rode her yesterday, figured it out a little in the schooling area, and we went in the ring,” he said. “Very easy horse, very simple, easygoing. It was a good opportunity from the Goguens.”
The young superstar feels there are more opportunities to come aboard Filou’s lady, with his eye especially on WCHR week at Wellington International.
Regardless, there are endless opportunities still for Torano, who jumped for the first time under the lights in national grand prix action this season.
“I’m excited for the season,” he said. “I have a couple new horses; one that’s just in quarantine now so I”m excited for my string. I am aiming for the WEF Equitation Championship at the end of the season. That’s a big one here for juniors. I’m already qualified for that so I’ll most likely do my good horse, Favorite Edition Z.”
Torano swept the T&R Development Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under division, highlighted by a top score of 89 in the handy with Filou’s Lady. Splitting the wins with Gloèj, Torano was also reserve champion with the 10-yer-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Eleanor Rooney.
To see full results from Week 4 of the Winter Equestrian Festival, click HERE.
