Ashlee Bond and Donatello Top the $100,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Del Mar Presented by EQ International Real Estate

Del Mar, Calif. – Oct. 19, 2019 – The signature event of the Del Mar International World Cup Week CSI3*-W took place Saturday night at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in front of a packed house. Thirty-seven starters took to the Del Mar Arena to try their luck at the first round designed by Alan Wade of Ireland. But with a tight time allowed and a course that asked high-level questions, over half the class rode before the audience was treated to the first clear round of the night.

Ashlee Bond and Donatello Photo: JXB Photography — *Ashlee Bond and Donatello*
*Photo: JXB Photography*

But Alan Wade wasn’t worried. “I was comfortable enough after I saw the first couple go that it was a test that could be solved,” he said.

Sure enough, five horses and riders in the latter part of the class went clear and within the time to advance to the jump off round, and of those, two completed the short course with no faults.

Nikolaj Hein Ruus and Cadillac Photo: JXB Photography — *Nikolaj Hein Ruus and Cadillac*
*Photo: JXB Photography*

Ashlee Bond (ISR) left no room for anyone to pass her aboard Donatello, and she was rewarded with the champion trophy in the $100,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Del Mar CSI4*-W, presented by EQ International Real Estate. She crossed the timers in a blazing 38.82 seconds and her megawatt smile showed she knew she’d done enough.

“I’m a little speechless; he’s really a super star,” said Bond of the 8-year-old bay Westphalian gelding owned by Little Valley Farms.

Donatello was the youngest horse in the class, and Bond has developed him since he was six. “Today he just proved that we are on the right trajectory,” said Bond. “I just try to find the jumps and stay out of his way. I’ve never had one be so easy at this level so it’s really nice.”

Keri Potter and Ariell la Sirene Photo: JXB Photography — *Keri Potter and Ariell la Sirene*
*Photo: JXB Photography*

Bond was very complimentary of Alan Wade’s Saturday night course, but she hasn’t always had the best luck with Wade’s designs. “It took me forever to figure out how to ride his courses,” she said. “I ended up on the ground at WEG. It was a blood bath. Once I figured it out it got much better. He builds to the world standard and I think we proved we have enough riders here who can handle that.”

As a result of her win tonight, Bond moves up to second place in the FEI North American Western Sub-League.

In second place was Nikolaj Hein Ruus (DEN), who is no stranger to the Del Mar International winner’s circle, having had many wins over the past two weeks. He rode Cadillac to a double clear finish in 43.27 seconds, and he was very happy with the 9-year-old grey Hanoverian gelding’s performance: “He’s just an amazing horse. He’s just been stepping up every time I put something big in front of him, he rises to the occasion. To be able to show at this level is something I’ve been dreaming of all my life so I’m very happy and I feel very blessed.”

Keri Potter (USA) had a fantastic ride aboard Ariell la Sirene and finished the jump off on a score of four faults to take third place. “Today definitely was the biggest class that she’s jumped,” said Pottery of the 10-year-old bay Westphalian mare owned by Hannah Loly. “She showed me she can do it… I was really proud of her.”

RESULTS

For full results, click here.