Wellington, Florida, USA – January 19, 2025 – Among an extremely impressive roster of young riders at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), it was Nina Mallevaey (FRA) who topped the week’s premiere BrainJuice Under 25 Grand Prix Series event in the $31,020 BrainJuice U25 Grand Prix, on the derby field Sunday morning.
Many of the U25 athletes in Wellington are already jumping the highest levels, Mallevaey herself included, but the developing riders appreciate having the opportunity to step into their own division separate from the senior FEI division for the week. Mallevaey was one of 12 to navigate the course, designed by Olaf Petersen, Jr., fault free with My Clementine, owned by the Rein Family, and she returned to take the win over the short course.
“It means a lot,” Mallevaey said of her victory Sunday. “It’s my last U25 year so I really want to enjoy the circuit at WEF. I hope to qualify for the final so [today] is going to give me some points. It’s the beginning of the season and the Rein family is here watching so I’m really happy.”
In her third season at Wellington International, Mallevaey has enjoyed what the U25 division has taught her, hoping to squeeze as much out of her final year as she can.
“It’s the second year I’ve done the U25 here, and it’s super nice,” she continued. “We compete with really good riders even in the U25. Some of them already do the top events. They have nice horses, and it’s 1.45m so it’s big enough. It’s a good challenging circuit.”
Amongst the top three in the BrainJuice U25 Grand Prix, Ireland’s Tim Brennan (IRL) took second with Diadema Della Caccia.
Ariana Marnell (USA) rounded out the top three for the U.S. After the top placing with Jikke-Cara, Marnell currently leads the BrainJuice U25 Grand Prix Series standings at WEF.
Mallevaey is still developing her partnership with My Clementine, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (OBOS Quality 004 x Kashmir van Schuttershof), but they’re progressing into new heights together. The mare recently jumped and placed in her first CSI3* Grand Prix and even won a CSI5* class in the fall.
“She’s super fun to ride,” she said of My Clementine. “She’s super careful and competitive, always wants to do well. She loves to go fast so I always enjoy the jump-off with her.”
With support from the Rein family, Mallevaey is hoping to accomplish big things this season, especially considering she recently took over the ride aboard Canadian Erynn Ballard’s Olympic mount Nikka VD Bisschop, a mare she’s begun to campaign lightly in Wellington.
“I would like to try to win the big stuff, try to win a five-star and maybe start to think about championships,” Mallevaey said of her goals heading into this season. “I would really like to do some Nations Cups and to try to do the European Championships.”
With eyes on more BrainJuice U25 competition leading up to the final, which takes place Sunday of WEF 10, Mallevaey also plans to compete in the CSI 5* weeks, beginning with WEF 5 aboard Dynastie de Beaufour.
Final Results – $31,020 BrainJuice Grand Prix CSI – U25
1) Nina Mallevaey (FRA) & My Clementine – 0 / 0 – 37.79
2) Tim Brennan (IRL) & Diadema della Caccia – 0 / 0 – 39.48
3) Ariana Marnell (USA) & Jikke Cara – 0 / 0 – 39.72
Source: Press Release from Wellington International
Photos: © Wellington International / Sportfot / Cassidy Klein
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Categories: CSI U-25, English, Jumper News France
