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Speed and Precision Earn Alberto Michan the Win in $24,999 IDA Development Grand Prix

May 11. 2025

Alberto Michan (ISR) celebrated a well-earned victory on the Derby Field in Sunday’s $24,999 IDA Development Grand Prix, delivering a swift and precise performance aboard his own Joint De Canabis Van De Doornhoeve during the final week of the Spring Series. The class drew a field of 33 competitors, all tasked with navigating Andy Christiansen’s (ECU) challenging two-round track. Michan was among the 12 to advance to the jump-off, where he sealed the win with a foot-perfect round in 36.075 seconds—securing the fastest time of the day and the top spot in the class.

Alberto Michan & Joint De Canabis Van De Doornhoeve. Photo © Cassidy Klein

Just behind him, Lebanon’s Jad Dana piloted Caro W, owned by Peter Howard and Laure Sudreau, to a strong finish. Their quick and careful round stopped the clock at 37.352 seconds, earning them second place honors. Representing the United States, Katie Eppinger and her own Chacco’s Cherry PS rounded out the top three with a clear effort in 37.383 seconds.

Alberto Michan & Joint De Canabis Van De Doornhoeve, presented as winners of the $24,999 IDA Development Grand Prix. Photo © Cassidy Klein

The class served as the highlight of the day and a thrilling display of international talent, with athletes from around the globe showcasing speed and precision over a course that tested both scope and strategy. Michan’s win capped off a successful afternoon and added another notable result to his growing list of accolades aboard the talented Joint De Canabis Van De Doornhoeve.

Alberto Michan & Joint De Canabis Van De Doornhoeve. Photo © Cassidy Klein

$5,000 Valley Vet Supply 1.35m Open Jumper Classic

Gonzalo Busca Roca (ESP) and Quicksilver C, owned by Stransky Mission Farm & Kalany Stables LLC, returned for Week 5 of the Spring Series to claim victory in the $5,000 Valley Vet Supply 1.35m Open Jumper Classic. The pair topped the jump-off with the fastest time of 37.624 seconds. Finishing in second place was Daniela Cordero (USA) aboard Godfather B Belesbat, owned by Kylie Wilson, stopping the clock in 38.742 seconds. Todd Minikus (USA) and Nelson S, owned by Sissy Wickes, rounded out the podium with a time of 39.832 seconds.

Gonzalo Busca Roca & Quicksilver C Photo © Sportfot

$10,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Open Stake

Friday morning featured the $10,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Open Stake on the derby field, where Michael Murphy (USA) and his own Kaida CM claimed the top spot. Third to enter the ring, the pair set a swift pace that held through the class, finishing in 26.145 seconds. Katie Eppinger (USA) and Corneska De La Falize Z secured second place with a time of 37.301 seconds, while Lebanon’s Jad Dana rounded out the top three aboard Leonidas, owned by Burr Associates, INC, with a time of 37.609 seconds.

Michael Murphy & Kaida CM Photo © Sportfot

$2,700 National Hunter Derby presented by Greenberg Traurig

Greenberg Traurig took the spotlight Friday afternoon as the presenting sponsor of the $2,700 National Hunter Derby. Claiming top honors was Marielle Babington (USA) aboard Be Like Me SH, owned by Buncher Sporthorses, LLC, with impressive scores of 87.5 and 87 for a combined total of 174.5. Emma Whillans (USA) and Xante earned the red ribbon, posting scores of 89 and 85 for a total of 174. Rounding out the top three was Debra Ward (USA) riding Tavish, owned by Cinthia Ane-McGreevy, with a final score of 173.

Marielle Babington & Be Like Me SH. Photo © Sportfot

$1,000 2'6" - 2'9" Hunter Derby, presented by Valley Vet Supply

Saturday afternoon welcomed hunter riders to the Derby Annex field, where Emily Schafer (USA) and FRF Still Of The Night, owned by After Eight Holdings LLC, topped the class of 14 entries. The pair earned consistent scores of 83 in both rounds, finishing with a total of 166—five points ahead of the runner-up. Julianna Stefanelli (USA) claimed second aboard Cedars Moira Rua, owned by Jill Stefanelli, with scores of 78 and 83 for a combined 161. Rounding out the top three was Gillian Dubin riding Out of the Blue, owned by First Blue LLC, who earned a total score of 159.

Emily Schafer & FRF Still Of The Night Photo © Sportfot

More exciting competition will return with the ESP Summer Series beginning May 29. The series will kick off with ESP June Equitation Day #1, followed by ESP June I running May 30 through June 1. Equestrian Sport Productions is proud to present ten summer events, including two standalone equitation days and seven competitions featuring National "A" and Jumper 4* ratings. These upcoming shows will feature a full schedule of hunter, jumper, and equitation classes, offering opportunities for all levels of competition and continuing the momentum built throughout the spring. Please note that permanent stabling is limited—exhibitors are encouraged to reserve stalls early by contacting stabling@wellingtoninternational.com. Spectators and exhibitors alike can look forward to more top sport, beautiful weather, and a vibrant atmosphere at Equestrian Village.

2025 Spring Circuit Champions

Performance 3’3” Hunter

Champion - Oceanside owned by Hallowell and ridden by Patricia Griffith


Performance 3’6” Hunter

Champion - Lean On Me USA owned by Quail Run Partnerships and ridden by Marcus Au


Green Hunter 3’

Champion - Memoir owned by Ashley Brown ridden by Todd Minkus


Green Hunter 3’6”

Champion - Kaiden owned by Little Brook LLC ridden by John French


USHJA Hunter 2’

Champion - Sinatra Melody owned by Griffon Farm ridden by Victoria Colvin


USHJA Hunter 2’3”

Champion - A-List owned by Hidden Ridge ridden by Karen Eisenhauer


USHJA Hunter 2’6”

Champion - Redmayne owned Derby Lane LLC ridden Vanessa Brown


USHJA Hunter 3’

Champion - Regalis owned by Lee Kellogg Sadrian ridden by Jennifer Bauersachs


11 & Under Equitation

Champion - Julianne Reed


12-14 Equitation

Champion - Ava Crolick


15-17 Equitation

Champion - Faith Schuttemeyer


Itty Bitty Jumpers

Champion -Child’s Play Rockstar owned by Treasure Coast Stables and ridden by Maggie Maslowe Smith


Pony Jumpers

Champion - Supernova owned by Megan Jankowski and ridden by Ella Sasso


Puddle Jumpers Jr/Am

Champion - Maui SCF owned by Copper Beech Farm and ridden by Rachael Lippe


1. Adult Amateur Jumper

Champion - Brunotti VDL owned and ridden by Elana Paporello


1. Junior Jumper

Champion - Chino Almirante owned and ridden by Mia Farah


1.10 to 1.15 Adult Amateur Jumper

TIE- Champion - Chicago Du Ru owned by Emily Zuckerbraun and ridden by Hannah Buchan


TIE- Champion - Edita owned by Blue Gate Stables, LLC and ridden by Katherine Savarise


1.10 to 1.15 Junior Jumper

Champion - Higgins owned by Madyson Diaz and ridden by Orly Antevy


1.20 Junior/Amateur Jumper

Champion - New York’s Joy owned by GA Stables and ridden by Gabriella Curry


1.30m Junior/Amateur Jumper

Champion - Amazing owned by Mountain King Ranch and ridden by Jordan Gibbs


1.40 Junior/Amateur Jumper

Champion - Caramix owned by CSH Equine LLC and ridden by Christian Hacker


Adult Equitation

Champion - Matt Tracy


Adult Amateur Hunter

Champion - Cayman owned by HAV, LLC and ridden by Helen Voss


Amateur Owner Hunter 3’3”

Champion - Dicaprio 3 owned by Competition Equestrian, LLC and ridden by Nancy Buzzetta


Amateur Owner Hunter 3’6”

Champion - De Capo owned and ridden by Lisa Williams


Children’s Hunter

Champion - Lennox owned and ridden by Emma Ensor


Children’s Pony

Champion - Oliver Twist owned by Sophie Heap and ridden by Jessica Heap


Cross Rails Equitation

Champion - Mason Maclean


Cross Rails Hunter

Champion - Lincom’s Close Up owned by Sandra Leiva and ridden by Mason Maclean


Green Pony Hunter

Champion - Idream owned by Linda Evans and ridden by Lilly Herzog


Junior Hunter 3’3”

Champion - Kifli owned by BCF Group, LLC and ridden by Hallie Moss


Junior Hunter 3’6”

Champion- Reality Star owned by Sandalwood Farm and ridden by Carsyn Korotkin


Large Pony Hunter

Champion - Dreamboat DHS owned by Linda Evans and ridden by Lilly Herzog


Low Adult Hunter

Champion - Carlos 870 owned by Ballza, LLC and ridden by Amelia Ruth


Low Children’s Hunter

Champion - Climo GHM owned by Linda Noble and ridden by Audrey Haywood


Medium Pony Hunter

Champion - Play Date owned by Swede Ventures and ridden by Grace Stenbeck-Werner


Rusty Stirrup Hunter

Champion - Rhythmic owned and ridden by Kate Murphy


Short Stirrup Hunter

Champion - Brighton Blue owned by First Blue, LLC and ridden by Mia Dubin


Small Pony Hunter

Champion - Clovermeade Heartthrob owned by Swede Ventures and ridden by Grace Stenbeck-Werner


Walk Trot

Champion - Harlow Blackman

2025 Spring Circuit Overall Awards

Overall Junior Hunter 3'3" & 3'6"

1st - Reality Star owned by Sandalwood Farms and ridden Carsyn Korotkin

2nd - Corzico Melloni Z owned and ridden by Emma Brody


Overall Amateur Owner Hunter 3'3" & 3'6"

1st - Kamara owned and ridden by Kaitlin Porath

2nd - De Capo owned and ridden by Lisa Williams


Overall Performance Hunter 3'3" & 3'6"

1st - Hardrock Harmonie SIH owned by Eva Kennedy and ridden by Andrew Lustig

2nd - Oceanside owned by Hallowell Lane Farm LLC and ridden by Callie Seaman


Overall Green Hunter 3'6" & 3'9"

1st - Kaiden owned by Little Brook LLC and ridden by John French

2nd - Gothic owned by JT Farm and ridden by Victoria Colvin


Overall Green Hunter 3' & 3'3"

1st - Memoir owned by Ashley Brown and ridden by Todd Minikus

2nd - Done Bobbin Auntie Em owned by Jill R Soderquist and ridden by Hugh Mutch


Overall Adult Amateur Hunter

1st - Cayman owned by HAV, LLC and ridden by Helen Voss

2nd - Richman owned by Sorensen Stables and ridden by Laura Scharfenberg


Overall Children's Hunter

1st - Lennox owned and ridden by Emma Ensor

2nd - Castillo owned by Carole Stables LLC and ridden by Francesca Roman


Overall Pony Hunter (No Green's)

1st - Dreamboat DHS owned by Linda Evans and ridden by Lilly Herzog

2nd - Clovermeade Heartthrob owned by Swede Ventures LLC and ridden by Grace Stenbeck-Werner