Wellington, FL – April 24, 2023 – The $146,000 Palm Beach County Sports Commission CSI3* Grand Prix was Sunday’s highlight class, kicking off on the derby field and ending with Ashlee Bond (ISR) and Donatello 141 securing the victory.
Thirty-four combinations readied themselves to contest Oscar Soboron’s (USA) 13-obstacle course. The four who advanced were led by Tanimara Maria Macari Carrillo (MEX) and IB Chica. The pair set the pace at 44.83 seconds.
Saving the best for last, Bond and her 12-year-old gelding, Donatello 141, put in the fastest clear round with 38.92 seconds.
Bond noted Donatello’s strengths, saying, “He’s very good at turning and slicing and he’s just so adjustable. He’s not a big-strided horse, but he moves really fast. So even if I’m doing an add somewhere, it’s usually faster.”
Alison Robitaille (USA) and Alison Firestone LLC’s Oakingham Lira, settled into the second place position with a time of 41.31. Next, Macari and Eickendorf Horses’ IB Chica rounded out the podium with a clear 44.83.
The derby field at the Equestrian Village received rave reviews during Spring III, and Bond echoed the sentiments, saying, “I just love the derby field because I find that the ground is so good, so the horses love jumping on it. Everyone at Wellington does such a wonderful job of maintaining this arena. I think it’s one of the best in the world.”
Bond has an action-packed couple of months ahead of her, noting, “There was an open spot at the Invitational, so I’m going to take Donnie to that, since he hasn’t really done much. Then I’ll be coming back to Wellington. Then I head out to do Old Salem and Devon, which I’ve never done so I’m super excited. Then I’ll come back to Wellington and I’ll go to work for like three weeks and then Donnie and I have the Olympic qualification for Israel in Prague at the end of July.”
Following the conclusion of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission CSI3* Grand Prix, the $35,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix kicked off. 32 competitors tried their hand at the course, with 11 returning for the jump-off. Besting the field of talent was Alison Robitaille and Alison Firestone LLC’s Ester De Maugre, with a clear time of 31.969 seconds. Taking the second place title were Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Heathman Farm LLC’s Hamrah Van Het Exelhof Z, while Andrew Bourns (IRL) claimed third aboard his own Sea Topblue.
Puerto Rico’s Freddie Vazquez started his week on a high note after taking top honors in the $6,000 Bainbridge Companies CSI3* 1.40m on Thursday. Piloting Kirschwasser SCF, a horse he co-owns with G6 Holdings, Vazquez cleared the second phase of the “power and speed” track in 31.32 seconds. Just off the pace, Fabio Leivas Da Costa (BRA) and Bonne Chance Farm’s Amigo W Z finished in the runner-up position with a time of 31.45 seconds, while Nayel Nassar (EGY) rounded out the podium with a time of 32.82 seconds aboard Jiminy Cricket, owned by Evergate Stables.
Immediately after the $39,000 Perfect Products CSI3* 1.45m took place, a field of 40 tackled Oscar Soberon’s (USA) two-phase course, which was also set in a “power and speed” format. Going eighth in the order, Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen took an early lead as she and Serenity Farm’s Forever SFN sped through the second phase of the track in 30.73 seconds. Second went to Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili, owned by Bull Run Jumpers Five, clocking in at 30.77 seconds, while third place went to Erynn Ballard (CAN) and Ilan Ferder’s Narcotique V/H Dingenshof with a time of 31.06 seconds.
The Irish flag flew high on Friday as Simon McCarthy and Conor Swail took their places in the winner’s circle after the $10,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Open Jumper Stake. 65 horse-and-rider combinations stepped out on the field that morning, but McCarthy and Andy’s Boy Bretoniere topped the leaderboard after clearing the jump-off in 31.432 seconds. Swail claimed second place with Count Me In, owned by Mannon Farm & Sandy Lupton, with a double-clear time of 32.211 seconds and also claimed third aboard Asta Torokvei’s Gamble in a clear 32.284 seconds.
The $39,000 Resilient Fitness CSI3* Qualifier showcased an international field of riders representing 20 countries competing for a place in Sunday’s $146,000 Palm Beach County Sports Commission CSI3* Grand Prix. Portuguese rider Luis Sabino Gonçalves sailed through the finish flags in 39.23 seconds with Vick du Croisy, owned by Sigma Stables, to take home the victory. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Spy Coast Farm’s Out of the Blue SCF cleared the jump-off in 40.47 seconds to finish in second, while Nicole Shahinian-Simpson (USA) rounded out the podium with a double-clear time of 42.07 seconds aboard Akuna Mattata for owner Silver Raven Farms.
On Saturday, the $39,000 Equine Tack & Nutritionals CSI3* 1.45m Classic showcased efforts from 41 competitors. Eleven pairs made quick work of the course in the first round to advance to the jump-off. The final ride in the second round, Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) and Condara, owned by Victoria Heurtematte, took over the lead from the previous frontrunners, Ashley Vogel (USA), with a winning double-clear time of 38.90 seconds. Vogel and her Bellissimo Z finished the class in second with a clear time of 41.08 seconds. Larrazabal also claimed third with Leeann Ablin’s Baroness in a double-clear time of 41.34 seconds.
The $5,000 High Junior/Amateur Jumper Stake took center stage Sunday morning on the derby field, with Lacey Gilbertson (USA) and Baloppi stealing the show. The class showcased efforts from 25 competitors. A total of 12 horse-and-rider pairs successfully navigated the first round without penalty to advance to the short track, but six of those contenders suffered from at least one downed obstacle as they put on the gas pedal. Gilbertson and Seabrook LLC’s Baloppi, were the fastest duo, crossing the timers with a clear 40.58 seconds. On their tail was Ashley Vogel (USA) aboard her own Birdy Du Thot, settling into the second place position with a time of 41.115 seconds, and earning third was Nora Nauss (USA) and her own Bretzelle D’Arthenay, with a clear time of 41.689.
Competition will take a week-long break and will return Thursday, May 4th, for weeks four and five of the Spring Series, which will both feature National “A” and Jumper 4* competition.