Wellington, Florida, USA – January 19, 2024 – Jumper action continued at the Equestrian Village Derby Field on Friday with the $32,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round II CSI 3* . A competitive field of sixty-two riders took to the course designed by Germany’s Olaf Petersen Jr., with fifteen pairs returning for the jump-off.
Of those fifteen returning combinations, two riders laid down an identical track to take a rare tied win. Abigail McArdle (USA) and her own Olympia Van Het EikenHof (Elvis Ter Putte x Toulon), set a fast pace on the short course in a swift 39.85 seconds, taking her to the top of the leaderboard early on in the order.
Great Britain’s Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) and her own Otto BH were twelfth to go in the jump-off with the goal of defeating McArdle’s time. Derbyshire rode a fast track, galloped across the finish line, and stopped the clock at a familiar 39.85 seconds, joining McArdle on the winning podium.
“When I first finished my course I actually had no idea we had tied,” said Derbyshire. “When I finished on the lower end of 39 seconds I just figured that Abigail [McArdle] was faster; she had held the lead since the beginning.
“I knew I could count on Otto for this class.” said Derbyshire about the twelve-year-old stallion by Norton D’Eole with the same dam’s sire as his winning opponent, Toulon.
The initial leader of the class, McArdle will return to the field for Sunday’s Grand Prix as well, atop Friday’s winning mount, Olympia Van Het EikenHof.
“I never thought I would have a horse like this again,” said McArdle of the ten-year-old mare. “The last horse I had at this level was a stallion named Victorio. He won a few of these classes and I never thought I would have another one like him, so to have Olympia at this level is a blessing.
“We got her as an amateur horse after my dear friend Taylor Land mentioned her to me and we saw a lot of potential,” continued McArdle. “She’s the easiest horse I’ve ever ridden in my life. She wants to be good everyday and always wants to learn.”
Following the leading ladies in third was Ireland’s Cian O’Connor (IRL) and Maurice (Thunder VD Zuuthoeve x Eros Platiere), owned by Pat Crean. O’Connor and the twelve-year-old gelding closed out the podium with a clear 40.08 seconds.
Riders who qualified during Friday’s WEF Challenge Cup will be seen in Sunday’s $140,000 KeyFlow Feeds USA CSI3* Grand Prix on the field at Equestrian Village.
Final Results – $32,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round II CSI 3*
1) Abigail McArdle (USA) & Olympia Van Het EikenHof – 0 / 0 – 39.85
1) Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) & Otto BH – 0 / 0 – 39.85
3) Cian O’Connor (IRL) & Maurice – 0 / 0 – 40.08
Source: Press Release from Wellington International
Photos: © Wellington International / Sportfot
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