Darragh Kenny Steals the Spotlight in $25,000 JTWG Grand Prix
ESP Fall Finale commenced on Friday with the day’s feature class, the $10,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Stake. The class saw an opening field of 25 riders, all competing for the lion’s share of the prize money. The winning pair was Brazilian rider, Gabriel De Matos Machado and Evabellie W, owned by Emily Wood.
Designing for the International Arena throughout the week, American course designer, Oscar Soberon, challenged the riders to a thirteen-jump round, followed by a six-jump jump-off. Twelve riders cleared round one and advanced to the jump-off. Machado tested first in the jump-off, making him the pathfinder for the riders to follow. Machado and Evabellie W completed the jump-off fault-free with a time of 34.526 seconds.
Machado also secured the second-place title aboard Sher-Al Farm Inc.’s Ibalius SMH with a clear time of 34.557 seconds. Rounding out the podium was USA’s Natalie Dean aboard Oasis Van De Bucxtale, owned by Marigold Sporthorses LLC, with a time of 35.044 seconds.
Competition continued Friday with the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Pilates Rocks, taking place in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Arena. Setting the path for riders to follow was USA’s Lexy Reed and Arezzo, owned by both Reed and Keri Kampsen. Reed earned scores of 87 and 89 to take the win with a combined 176. Earning second was USA’s Danielle Menker and Ladies First, owned by Elysian Stables LLC, with a combined score of 170 while Canada’s Angela Covert earned the yellow-ribbon with a score of 158 aboard Londarco, owned by Covert Equestrian.
Saturday morning kicked off with the $5,000 CLPR Wind 1.35m Stake in the International Arena. A total of twenty-one competitors took to the course, with twelve advancing to the short course. Taking home both the blue and red ribbon for a double podium finish was Canada’s Erynn Ballard. Ballard put in the quickest clear time aboard Caethe 7, owned by Ilan Ferder and Esperanza Imports, LLC, with a double-clear time of 38.833 seconds. Ballard also captured the second-place title, navigating the course with Kummel, owned by both Ballard herself and Ilan Ferder with a clear 40.527 seconds. Completing the podium was Juan Manuel Bolanos Barrios (ESA) and Abril Licobalou, owned by BZB Barn LLC, putting in a double-clear time of 41.767 seconds.
Wrapping up the day on Saturday, Wellington International proudly hosted the Miracle League of Palm Beach County, a beacon of inspiration for children with disabilities and special needs, during their momentous All-Star Weekend.
Read more:
Darragh Kenny Steals the Spotlight in $25,000 JTWG Grand Prix (wellingtoninternational.com)
