Junior equitation riders stole the show at Wellington International on Wednesday during the WIHS Jumper Phase of the ESP Holiday I Equitation, giving hope for the future of show jumping in the United States. USA’s Caroline Olsen and Spark of Phoenix, owned by Olsen LLC, rose to the occasion in the WIHS Jumper Phase with a score of 84. The two judges on the panel, Geoffrey Case and Thomas Carlson, declared the two to be the winners of the class. Reese Merna (USA) received the red rosette with a score of 82. With Independence M, owned by Dachis Sporthorses LLC, Merna navigated the course. Rylnn Conway (USA) came in third place with her own entry, Justify.
The $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Platinum Performance, was the tournament that went on this week. The competition included fourteen horse-and-rider couples, as judged by Mary Eufemia and Kevin Eufemia.
With combined scores of 173 (85 and 88), Kim Barone (USA) and her own entry, Enjoy, took home the blue ribbon as the top-scoring pair. Colin Syquia (USA) finished second with Whatatime, owned by Mary Lannan-Cookingham, with a total score of 170. Barone finished in third place as well, scoring 169 points overall with Proud To Be VH for Sheryl Scolnick.
Wellington International will host another exciting week of competition the following week for Holiday III. On Tuesday, schooling sessions will commence, followed on Wednesday by the hunter and jumper competition. Be ready to be enthralled with the following events: the $25,000 ProElite Holiday III Grand Prix, which will conclude competition for the week; the $10,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Stake; the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, sponsored by Score at the Top; the $5,000 1.35m All Paws Animal Clinic Stake; and the Equitation Flat, sponsored by Alexander Academic Access.
Major reporting contributions for this article were received from Wellington International in Wellington FL. Please visit Wellington International at https://wellingtoninternational.com.
