Wellington, Florida, USA – January 19, 2019 – The Winter Equestrian Festival held its first FEI-level grand prix of the season in grand fashion last night at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, Florida, USA. The most important class of the week, the “Saturday Night Lights” $72,000 NetJets Grand Prix CSI 2* was claimed by Mario Deslauriers (CAN) and Amsterdam 27.

Forty-five combinations were set to go before the usual full house at the International Arena. Juan Pablo Betancourt (COL) and My Way (Mylord Carthago x Cassini II) showed the way to the rest of the field by posting the first penalty-free performance in the first round. They were soon followed by Zoe Conter (BEL) and Dragonfly de Longchamps (Clinton x Toulon), securing a jump-off for the anxious spectators.

Clear rounds became more frequent as some of the favorites faced the Oscar Soberon (MEX) designed course, with the likes of Captain Brian Cournane (IRL), McLain Ward (USA), Lauren Hough (USA), Adrienne Sternlicht (USA), Mario Deslauriers (CAN) and Shane Sweetnam (IRL) all advancing to the decisive phase.

During the jump-off, Juan Pablo (COL) and Zoe Conter (BEL) played it safe, earning their second flawless effort. Capt. Brian Cournane (IRL) and Armik (Armitage x Justinian xx) momentarily took over the lead by posting a time of 38.486 seconds, which in the end would be good enough for the third spot on the podium.

Lauren Hough (USA) and Valinski S (Nijinski x Julius) soon lowered the mark set by the Irishman, crossing the finish line in 37.281 seconds, a mark which was only surpassed by the eventual winners.

Mario Deslauriers (CAN) & Amsterdam 27

In the end, Mario Deslauriers (CAN) and Wishing Well Farm’s Amsterdam 27, a 9-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Catoki x Acord II), clinched the victory after being quick, yet still clean with a time of 36.591 seconds.