Wellington, Florida, USA – February 17, 2023 – International jumpers moved back to the stunning derby field at Equestrian Village during KASK-sponsored WEF 6. A who’s who of show jumping battled for a qualifying place in Sunday’s Grand Prix CSI 3* over tracks designed by Ana Catalina Cruz Harris (MEX) in the CHF$37,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round VI CSI 3*.
After 101 horses tested the course, 20 returned for the tie-breaking jump-off. In a California Split, McLain Ward (USA) and René Tebbel (UKR) were respectively the winners of Section of each of the two sections of the contest.
Tebbel, who hails from Germany and represents Ukraine in international competition, was just fractions of a second off Ward’s pace to win Section B in 38 flat aboard Chanyon. Chanyon is a 15-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Chacco-Blue x Grand Canyon) owned by Gut Einhaus, LLC, and was previously campaigned to the Olympic Games in Tokyo by Japan’s Daisuke Fukushima.
“I watched Mclain and I thought in the second corner my horse was moving so I had to do one stride more there,” said Tebbel, who is back in Wellington training U25 rider Ansgar Holtgers JR.
“It wasn’t fast enough to beat Mclain, but it was good enough,” continued Tebbel. The plan for Chanyon is to be Holtgers Under 25 mount while Tebbel keeps him legged up in select events.
“The horse has all the experience, and it’s exciting for me to be back here competing in Wellington.”
Cathleen Driscoll (USA) took second behind Tebbel riding Arome for owner Plain Bay Farm, while Canada’s Samantha Buirs was third on her own Chic D`Emma Z.
Final Results – CHF$37,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round VI CSI 3* – Section B
1) René Tebbel (UKR) & Chanyon – 0 / 0 – 38.00
2) Cathleen Driscoll (USA) & Chewbacca – 0 / 0 – 39.05
3) Samantha Buirs (CAN) & Chic d`Emma Z – 0 / 0 – 39.23
Source: Press Release from Equestrian Sports Productions
Photo: © Wellington International / Sportfot
Categories: CSI 3*, English, Winter Equestrian Festival
