Roberto Teran Tafur (COL) exited the International Arena following his second FEI win of the week Friday with the words, “When you’re on, you’re just on.” The Olympian topped the podium yet again during week one of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), this time aboard Santana in the $32,000 Dodd Technologies CSI3* 1.45m Speed. WEF, which features 12 weeks of FEI competition, continues through March 30 at Wellington International in Wellington, FL.
“It feels amazing,” Teran said of going two-for-two in international competition so far. “To win here is super exciting and two wins here is fantastic. When you have a good week, usually it keeps going like that."
Going early in the order of 48 entries, Teran chose a forward pace and tidy path around Nick Granat’s (USA) speed course. His time of 58.73 seconds remained unmatched, with Lillie Keenan (USA) just barely scoring second aboard Opium JW van de Moerhoeve TN, owned by Chansonette Farm. Egypt’s Nayel Nassar claimed third with Dorado de Riverland, owned by Evergate Stables.
Teran has been piloting Santana, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Cascadello x Carthago) owned by Rocking Basilisk Farm, since the winter of 2022. He’s felt progression each year, recognizing the horse is prepared for a higher level of competition.
“He’s always been very talented, but a little too full of energy,” Teran said of Santana. “I think he’s finally mentally ready to be more consistent. He was always brave and good but he had his ups and downs. Since the summer he’s been very consistent.”
Teran’s plan for the season is to step Santana up into higher-level ranking classes, allowing him to space out his top horses’ schedules to produce the best possible results. So far, Santana understands the assignment.
With an eye on the 2026 FEI World Championship in Aachen, Germany, as his next major goal, Teran appreciates the competitive environment Wellington International provides him every year to prepare both himself and his horses for significant career opportunities.
“This circuit is really challenging for any horse and rider combination,” he continued. “You take it one week at a time because all the best horses and riders in the world are here. That’s why any win here is so meaningful. It’s great preparation for anywhere in the world. After this you can go to any show in the world and be ready to compete, not just show up.”
If Teran’s hard work pays off and he earns that ticket to Aachen for 2026, he’ll be beyond proud of the achievement. “If I can represent my country there and hopefully do a good job that will be amazing for my career and my life,” he concluded.
To open competition in the International Arena Friday morning, Carly Anthony (USA) took the top placing with Jet Blue, owned by Portfolio Horses, in the Bainbridge 1.40m Speed Challenge. Anthony and the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (VDL Zirocco Blue x Indoctro) sped around the speed course in 66.994 seconds, earning the win.
FEI action returns during ‘Saturday Night Lights’ to feature the $140,000 Southern Arches CSI3* Grand Prix at 7pm.
For complete results from the $32,000 Dodd Technologies CSI3* 1.45m Speed, click HERE.
Lilly Ward Captures $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunt & Go Derby to Kickstart WEF 1
In the $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunt & Go Derby on Friday afternoon, it was pony superstar Lilly Ward of Brewster, NY, who took home top call aboard Woodlands Corduroy, owned by her father and six-time U.S. Olympian Mclain Ward. With a score of 175, Lilly convincingly took the top spot and embarked on what she hopes to be a highly successful Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).
“We call him Roy in the barn,” Lilly said of the 17-year-old Welsh Pony cross gelding. “I’ve had him since the summer and he’s so sweet and loving. He’s fun to ride, super easy to turn and he’s just the best.”
Their turning and smooth execution, with direction at the in-gate from trainer Jimmy Torano, was enough to get them the win over course designer Thomas Carlson’s single-round course. The simplicity of the course and ease of inside turns were what Lilly said really made the difference.
Torano’s advice to her on the way into the show ring was, “Just stay cool. There was only one line so it was pretty easy. It was very, very fun and there were a lot of places to turn inside and have fun.”
Nine-year-old Lilly hopes to not only have fun the rest of this season as she cruises into the Medium Pony Hunter division, but to take home some big accolades, building off her success from past years.
“Last year I was circuit champion [in the Small Ponies] and this year I really want to be circuit champion on [Roy] because this is my first year doing the Medium [Ponies] at WEF,” she said of her goals, another of which is to take the win in the World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Pony Hunter Challenge during WEF 6, known historically as “Hunter Week.”
Lilly will continue to eye the Pony Hunter Derby events as the season continues, quickly becoming the one to watch as she adds this victory to her resume.
In the WIHS Pony Equitation that took place later in the afternoon, it was Luca Endzweig of Palm Beach, FL, who rode to the win with a score of 86 aboard Super Sport, owned by Twin Island, LLC.
For complete results from the $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunt & Go Derby, click HERE. Full results from WEF 1 are available HERE.
