Third Time Proves a Charm for Taylor Cawley in WEF Equitation Championship, Presented by NetJets
The future of U.S. show jumping took to the International Arena at Wellington International on Thursday evening for the coveted WEF Equitation Championship, presented by NetJets, during the IDA Development-sponsored Week 11 of the 2024 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). As Wellington International gears up for its final week of the winter season, kicking off on March 27, all eyes were on junior riders as 40 qualified rising stars took to the big ring.
The podium was dominated by 16-year-old Wellington-based Taylor Cawley as the only rider to post scores in the 90s in both rounds riding Oki d’Eclipse. Blake Rowan, 17, of Little Compton, RI, on Ironman and J.J. Torano,13, of Wellington, FL, aboard Favorite Edition Z made their debuts in the WEF Equitation Championship, finishing second and third respectively.
Of her experience in the class, Cawley noted, “The first year I did the [WEF] Equitation Challenge, I was on a very green horse and I myself was very green. The second year I did it I was a little more advanced on a green horse. This year I was lucky to have the experience and be on a more experienced horse as well.
“I think that experience paid off really well,” continued Cawley, who trains with Stacia Madden at Beacon Hill Show Stables. “You have to be focused on what you’re doing and know your horse and yourself. Oki is big and doesn’t know where his feet are all the time but he’s super fun to ride and I’ve been bringing him up along with the whole team. This is his first championship under the lights and it paid off really well.”
Andy Christiansen (USA) designed the equitation track, which featured a first round that included a series of bending lines, two combinations and varying fence challenges such as a Swedish oxer, wall and log jump. The top 12 were called back in reverse order for a second round, which had additional challenges, including a simple change of lead.
Four riders returned—without stirrups—for further testing: Cawley, Rowan, Torano and Parker Peacock, 16, of Pfafftown, NC, on Class Act. Their test included showing off at a hand gallop, two lines on a counter canter and a halt before the final fence.
After the three rounds, Cawley—daughter of U.S. grand prix rider Molly Ashe Cawley—was crowned winner from two judging panels made up of Panel 1: Archie Cox and Ralph Caristo and Panel 2: Virginia Edwards and Karen Healy.
“I was lucky enough that last week in the medal we had a no-stirrups test and there were trot jumps and hand gallops and counter-cantering so I was prepared, and Stacia Madden always has us prepared for our tests,” said Cawley of her confidence going into the final test.
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