Philip McGuane & Orphea HQ Rise to First in the $62,500 Adequan® Challenge Cup CSI 3*

By Jumper News on 17 17America/Sao_Paulo February 17America/Sao_Paulo 2024

Wellington, Florida, USA – February 16, 2024 – Ireland’s Philip McGuane (IRL) piloted the Evergate Stables-owned Orphea HQ to a career-best victory for the mare in Friday’s $62,500 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round VI. The qualifying event for Saturday’s $140,000 KASK Grand Prix CSI 3* took place on the grass derby field at Equestrian Village during Week 6 of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

The field was made up of 67 horse jumping courses designed by Anna Catalina “Catsy” Cruz of Mexico. McGuane claimed the win in a nine-horse jump-off by just under one second.

**Susan Horn** (CAN) & **Kirlo van den Bosrand**

Canada’s Susan Horn (CAN) and Kirlo van den Bosrand’s time of 39.27 over the short track was just off the pace from McGuane in 38.62 second, and she took second for owner Kingsfield Farm.

***Alexandra Worthington*** (USA) & **De L’Oiseliere**

Alexandra Worthington (USA) rounded out the podium on De L’Oiseliere, owned by Turn a Blind Eye LLC, in a time of 39.51 seconds.

**Philip McGuane** (IRL) & **Orphea HQ**

The win was a career-best for Orphea HQ, a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Emerald x Epleaser van’t Heike). After starting the season with a top-five finish in the WEF 1 three-star grand prix, Orphea has been knocking on the door of a blue ribbon.

“Phillip has developed a really strong partnership with her. It’s been really cool to see him really come into his element, get more competitive, and dig in for these kinds of classes because we always knew he was capable of it,” said owner Nayel Nassar of Evergate Stables about McGuane’s partnership with the mare that has been part of the Evergate string since her seven-year-old year. “The way she warmed up today, I knew that this was very winnable for her. She’s continued to impress us and keeps improving. It’s a very proud moment for team Evergate and we’re proud of Phillip too.”

McGuane joined the Evergate Stables team to develop their younger stock after riding for Switzerland’s Beat Mändli (USA) and U.S. rider Katie Dinan (USA). During that time he has developed an undeniable connection with Orphea HQ.

“She’s not very big herself, but she has a big heart,” said McGuane of the mare that bears a striking resemblance to her sire, Emerald. “She knows where the jumps are, and as long as I don’t make a mistake she’s always there. I just need to get her anywhere near the jumps to be honest.”