HorseBuff Magazine – Showjumping, Winter Equestrian Festival, WEF #WEF2025
During the Winter Equestrian Festival’s (WEF) “Saturday Night Lights,” Olympic champions Christian Kukuk and Checker 47 made a triumphant comeback to Wellington International’s stadium. The 2024 Rolex Grand Prix winning team emerged as the public favorite and won the $215,000 NetJets CSI4* Grand Prix six months after leaping to Olympic gold in Paris. WEF, which is highlighted by 12 weeks of straight FEI competition, runs through March 30 in Wellington, Florida.
Over tracks designed by course designer Peter Grant (CAN), Kukuk of Germany and his 15-year-old Westphalian gelding partner (Comme Il Faut 5 x Come On) led off in a seven-horse jump-off and maintained an advantage from the beginning to win by almost two seconds.
“First to go is never easy in the jump-off,” said Kukuk, who stopped the clock at 37.35 seconds. “I did not walk the jump-off because there were long lines and I don’t have the huge stride, but I know that [Checker] is naturally very quick even if I have a stride more than the other ones. When I passed the finish line, I knew that the rest were under pressure and they had to try.”
Regarding the unique connection Kukuk has with Checker 47, which is owned by M.H. & Partner Gbr & Madeleine Winter-Schulzehe, he responded, “We have come a long way; I’ve known him since he was five. That’s what you need in the end to have big successes—a strong relationship. Like today, when he comes in the ring he feels when it’s a special day.
“I’m very happy to be back [in Wellington],” concluded Kukuk, who has six of his top horses in Florida for the winter season. “I still really remember that night winning the Rolex Grand Prix here in March last year. It was one of my best nights I ever had and best wins.”
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Back-to-back On Saturday night, Olympic champions finished first and second, with Ben Maher of Great Britain and Enjeu de Grisien settling for second place. Maher, a regular at Wellington International, led Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s 11-year-old Selle Français gelding (Toulon x Andiamo) to a mark of 39.29 seconds.
I did everything I could,” admitted Maher. “Enjeu has a very big stride for a small horse, but it’s a little slow motion. He jumps with a lot of height and a lofty kind of jump. It was always going to be tough to beat Checker, and with the experience of Christian with that horse and the smooth turn back [in the jump-off], I would have had to take an unrealistic risk to be able to beat him.”
Maher has competed at WEF for about 16 years, winning numerous times on various horses. “It’s been a huge part of my career,” he said. “I think they’re doing a great job to build the fan base here that we have in Europe, and it makes it more special for us to ride in these events with a big crowd and it helps raise our game.”
Nina Mallevaey (FRA) stated that she wanted to go to the four- and five-star level after taking home the BrainJuice Under 25 Grand Prix at WEF 2. With a podium result in the NetJets Grand Prix this week while riding Dynastie de Beaufour, a 12-year-old Selle Français mare (Siamant de Semilly x Cassini I) owned by Tara Dow-Rein & The Rein Family, she achieved and beyond that objective. For third place, they stopped the clock at 39.67 seconds.
“I’m really happy with my horse because it’s her first time here,” said 25-year-old Mallevaey, who trains with Laura Kraut and Nick Skelton. “She had a two-month holiday before coming here and she feels amazing. “I’ve been riding her for 10 months now. I’m grateful to have a horse like her. I hope to get more good results and maybe think about some championships with her. This season, I’m hoping I can jump the Rolex Grand Prix.”
Sofie Karlsson, the caretaker for Checker 47, picked up a $500 check for the Double H Farm Grooms Award following a spectacular night for the whole crew.
Top Five Results: $215,000 NetJets CSI4* Grand Prix
- Christian Kukuk (GER) & Checker 47: 2010 Westphalian gelding (Comme Il Faut 5 x Come On)
Owner: M.H. & Partner Gbr & Madeleine Winter-Schulze
Faults/Time: 0/0/37.35 - Ben Maher (GBR) & Enjeu de Grisien: 2014 Selle Français gelding (Toulon x Andiamo)
Owners: Charlotte Rossetter & Pamela Wright
Faults/Time: 0/0/39.29 - Nina Mallevaey (FRA) & Dynastie de Beaufour: 2013 Selle Français mare (Siamant de Semilly x Cassini I)
Owner: Tara Dow-Rein & The Rein Family
Faults/Time: 0/0/39.67 - Emilie Conter (BEL) & Portobella van de Fruitkorf: 2015 Belgian Warmblood mare gelding (Bamako de Muze x Nabab de Reve)
Owner: Stephex Stables & Paul Winnen
Faults/Time: 0/0/40.49 - Alex Granato (USA) & Helios vd Nosahoeve: 2012 Dutch Warmblood stallion (Numero Uno x London)
Owner: Kisma Equestrian
Faults/Time: 0/4/40.69
Major reporting contributions for this article were received from Wellington International in Wellington FL. Please visit Wellington International at https://wellingtoninternational.com.
