Wellington, FL – March 28, 2018 – The final week of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) kicked off with a victory for Brazilian Olympian José Roberto Reynoso riding Magnolia Mystic Rose in the $35,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m CSI5* on Wednesday, March 28. WEF continues through April 1 at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL, and offers more than $9 million in prize money.

WEF concludes with its twelfth week of competition on March 28-April 1, sponsored by Rolex. The highlight event is the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI 5* in the WEF International Arena on Saturday, March 31, at 7:45 p.m. Additional featured classes are the $15,000 International Hunter Derby Hunt & Go and $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby starting at 9:30 a.m. on the grass derby field at Equestrian Village (13500 South Shore Blvd.) on Friday, March 30. WEF wraps up with the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Round Two on the grass derby field at 1 p.m., and the $50,000 Wanderers Club Grand Prix CSI 2* and $50,000 CP 1.50m National Grand Prix in the WEF International Arena, on Sunday, April 1.

After his first win, which came earlier in the day in the $1,000 Bainbridge 1.40m CSI5* aboard Zambia Mystic Rose, Reynoso topped the featured event of the day over a field of 63 starters riding Magnolia Mystic Rose, an eight-year-old Brazilian-bred mare. Fellow Brazilian and 2016 Rio Olympic Games course designer Guilherme Jorge set the 1.45m power and speed track, which Reynoso mastered fault-free with a time of 25.71 seconds over the speed portion for owner Haras Mystic Rose.

Just fractions behind Reynoso, Darragh Kenny of Ireland claimed second place riding Chakito for Vlock Show Stables, LLC in 25.94 seconds. The USA’s Georgina Bloomberg rounded out the top three with a time of 26.15 seconds in the irons of Paola 233, owned by Gotham Enterprizes, LLC.

Reynoso’s overall goal for the final week of WEF is to qualify for the Rolex Grand Prix CSI 5* and he has a talented string of mares to get him there.

“I plan to try and compete in the Thursday qualifier on Corona 93,” he said of the horse he finished 11^thon in the 1.45m. “Then, I will decide which of the mares will be best for the grand prix. Winning two classes in one day is no doubt a wonderful feeling and it was a really special day. I hope the rest of the week is even better than it was today.”

José Roberto Reynoso (BRA) & Magnolia Mystic Rose in their award presentation with Sharon Loayza of Douglas Elliman Real Estate and ringmaster Steve Rector.

Magnolia Mystic Rose is a new mount for Reynoso. Bred in his home country of Brazil, the young mount was produced by Doda de Miranda upon arrival in the United States and became the mount of Reynoso only a month ago.

“She did not have a lot of experience in Brazil, but she is a very good horse,” added Reynoso, who is competing at WEF for the second consecutive year. “I would like to be able to come to WEF every year. If I can find the right sponsor, I will stay here. Equestrian Sport Productions is incredible and one of the best in the world. It’s a dream come true for me to be able to be here.”

Full Results here.

Photos: © Sportfot