Wellington, Florida, USA – February 21, 2024 – Gabriel de Matos Machado (BRA) and Legaland Sandro got off to the perfect start on the opening day of the seventh week of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at Wellington International. The first five-star challenge of an exciting week was the $32,000 Dodd Technologies CSI 5*, contested by 47 combinations on the two-phase course designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) last Wednesday.

The Brazilian and the 10-year-old chestnut Irish Sport Horse gelding (Sandro Boy x Clinton) were supreme by clearing all the 1.45m obstacles set up on the International Ring, completing the final section of the test in 24.78 seconds.

Five-hundredths of a second separated the top two as Jad Dana (LBN) and Fleur de Lis Cherie gave the eventual winners a run for their money backed by their final time of 24.83 seconds.

The difference in time to the next combination to cross the finish line couldn’t be any smaller since McLain Ward (USA) and First Lady completed the second phase just one hundredth of a second slower than their closest rivals, rounding out the top three in 24.84 seconds.

Final Results – $32,000 Dodd Technologies CSI 5*

1) Gabriel de Matos Machado (BRA) & Legaland Sandro – 0 / 0 – 24.78

2) Jad Dana (LBN) & Fleur de Lis Cherie – 0 / 0 – 24.83

3) McLain Ward (USA) & First Lady – 0 / 0 – 24.84

Source: Wellington International

Text: Jumper News, no reproduction without permission.

Photos: © Wellington International / Cassidy Klein

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