Michael Delfiandra and Madewell Earn Top Honors in Green 3’9’’ Hunter at WEF

Wellington, FL – March, 25 2021 – Michael Delfiandra made a splash Thursday morning in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), riding to championship honors in the Green 3’9’’ Hunter aboard Marigot Bay Farm LLC’s Madewell. A competitive group of horses put their names forward for the under saddle class, but Delfiandra and Madewell came out on top, securing an early lead in the division they would maintain throughout.

Michael Delfiandra & Madewell 

Hallie Grimes was first to try her hand at the over fences tracks aboard Can We Keep It LLC’s Frankly Stated. Grimes started the class off strong with a beautiful first round and a score of 84 to help them secure top honors in the first class. Delfiandra, aboard the talented young second-year horse, came a close second place behind Grimes, with a bold and forward first round,leading them to a first round score of 82.

Hallie Grimes & Frankly Stated 

The stake class proved to be a challenge for some riders, but Maria Rassmusen came in and produced a textbook trip with Fedora to receive a score of 85, more than seven points higher than the second place finisher. After a long few weeks of showing in the Performance 3’6” Hunters, Delfiandra’s mount, Madewell, came into the second with the hope of clinching the championship, ultimately placing second in the class with a score of 78.

Maria Rasmussen & Fedora 

After winning both trips in Wednesday’s Green 3’9” Hunters, Delfiandra ended up securing the championship triocolor after trading off between first and second place with Rasmussen, who ended up securing reserve champion aboard Julianne Karol’s very talented mount, Fedora.

Competition in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter ring will continue Friday morning beginning at 8:00 a.m. with the Amateur Owner 3’3” 36 & Over Hunter division. The International Ring will conclude tomorrow with the highly-anticipated Equitation Championships at 5:00 p.m.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE 

Michael Delfiandra – Green 3’9″ Hunter Champion

On his partnership with Madewell:
“It is his first time competing in this division. He normally does the Amateur Owner Hunter with owner [Madison Rani].He was a first-year green horse last year and we just did this because his rider went back to school and we thought this would be something good to have in case we wanted to enter him into some of the bigger horse shows. Because he is a second-year horse, we unfortunately were unable to do some of the bigger shows last year due to COVID-19. It worked out great for us and he adjusted to the height super and we couldn’t ask more from him.”

On the remainder of WEF 2021 for Madewell:
“He will continue to do the Amateur Owner Hunter division realistically. I have shown him throughout the winter in the 3’6’’ Performance Hunter because he typically is a one-day horse. He is not the highest energy horse, so we like to preserve him for when his owner [Madison Arani] does him.”

On what’s next for Madewell:
“We are entering Devon and the goal is to get in. We will compete at Old Salem, Devon and [Madison Arani] has a farm in Kentucky, so we will probably head to Kentucky for the summer and then head back down to Florida.”

 

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