Wellington, Florida, USA – February 16, 2020 – The sixth week of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) closed with a victory for Mexico’s Carlos Hank Guerreiro (MEX) and in the $25,000 Grand Prix CSI U-25 on the picturesque grass Derby Field of the Equestrian Village (home to the Adequan Global Dressage Festival) of Wellington, in Florida, USA.

Fifty of the future stars of show jumping took to the grass Derby Field with nine jumping double-clear over a course designed by Ana Catalina “Catsy” Cruz Harris (MEX). It was 19-year-old Guerreiro who bested the competition with nearly two seconds to spare riding H5 Quantador 3, owned by H5 Stables.

“I love this field,” said Guerreiro, who trains with Brazilian Olympian Eduardo Menezes (BRA) and has been competing in the Under 25 division for four years. “I find that it’s a bit of different feeling, but I grew up riding on a lot of grass arenas, so I really like big, open spaces. I love this week!”

Carlos Hank Guerreiro (MEX) & H5 Quantador 3

Guerreiro has had the ride on H5 Quantador 3 since the 12-year-old Westphalian gelding’s (Quinta Real x Cornet Obolensky) seven-year-old season. “Paul Schockemöhle sent him to me to be sold, but in the end, they let me keep him,” recalled Guerreiro. “I always say, it’s the best deal I have ever had. He’s always been really talented. His mind took a bit to get together, but I really love him. He shines in the jump-offs, so the faster the better.”

Guerreiro and his speedy mount stopped the clock at an unbeatable 36.18 seconds for the win.

Of the Under 25 division, Guerreiro said, “I think it’s really a crucial division to have as a step between the big 5* or international classes and the amateur or juniors divisions. It really brings together a lot of different levels. It’s very useful for the experienced riders and the younger generation.”

Zoe Conter (BEL) & H-Cassino

After Guerreiro, less than a second separated the next four riders, led by Zoe Conter (BEL) in second place with a time of 38.27 seconds riding H-Cassino, owned by Stephex Stables.

Charlise Casas (USA) & Diamond M

Third was claimed by Charlise Casas (USA) on Diamond M, owned by Always Faithful Equine LLC.

Mexico’s Tanimara Macari (MEX) finished fourth on Feminka for Jorge Macari, and Emilie Conter (BEL) capped the top five aboard Legolas Ter Wilgen, owned by Stephex Stables.

WEF continues through March 29 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, with 12 consecutive weeks of world-class competition and $13 million dollars on offer. The seventh week of competition runs February 19-23, is sponsored by Lugano Diamonds, and includes the $391,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSI 5* during “Saturday Night Lights”.

For full results, please click here.

Source: Press release from Lindsay Brock, Summer Grace and Sabrina Bashares / Jennifer Wood Media Inc.  

Photos: © Sportfot