For Immediate Release
Summer Grace, Juliana Chapman, and Sabrina Brashares, and for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Wellington, FL – February 15, 2020 – Young hunter professional Victoria Colvin once again proved unbeatable as she returned to pilot her talented 2019 $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular winner, Private Practice, to the victory in the premier class of WCHR week once again during “Saturday Night Lights” at the 2020 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Highlighting FEI jumper competition on the Derby Field at Equestrian Village, Petronella Andersson (SWE) swept the victory in the $37,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Classic on the field with Stephex Stables’ Davarusa.
Victoria Colvin and Private Practice. Photo © Sportfot
WEF continues through March 29 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, with 12 consecutive weeks of world-class competition and $13 million dollars on offer. The sixth week of competition runs February 12-16, and features World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) events, as well as CSI3* jumper competition. Still to come, the $25,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix and $25,000 CP Grand Prix, will cap the week on the grass Derby Field on Sunday, February 16.
Saturday night’s Hunter Spectacular is the highlight of WEF’s WCHR Hunter Week, which emphasizes the hunter discipline and gives junior, amateur, and professional hunter riders the chance to introduce their horses to the International Arena.
A field of 37 successful horse-and-rider combinations, consisting of winners in the junior, amateur, and professional categories throughout the week, contested the round-one course designed by Patrick Rodes. Out of the original starting line-up, the 12 pairs with the highest scores were invited to return for the second phase of the two-round classic style competition. Both courses were offered at three heights (3’6”, 3’9”, and 4”), and judging was split into three distinguished panels consisting of Rick Fancher and Phoebe Sheets in one panel, Mary Lisa Leffler and Mark Jungherr in another, and Lyman Whitehead with Chris Wynn for the third.
When all combinations had contested the first track, the class’ 2019 winners, Victoria Colvin and Private Practice, once again sat in the top position with an average score of 90.33. Hot on Colvin’s heels, seasoned professional Scott Stewart piloted Private Life into the early second place with 89.16 points. Ten professionals, one junior, and one amateur made up the returning 12 entries.
Victoria Colvin and Private Practice in their winning presentation with ringmaster Steve Rector, WCHR Task Force Chair Carl Weeden, Clement Curtit, Carole David, Tom Wright, owner Brad Wolf, Torrey Hardison, USHJA President Mary Babick, and USHJA Executive Director Kevin Price. Photo © Sportfot
Colvin held the lead from the time she entered the ring as the fifth to go until the time she closed the class, besting her own previous score from round one of 90.33 with an improved 91.83. The victory was Colvin’s second in a row with Brad Wolf’s 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Lordanos x unknown) and her stunning sixth Hunter Spectacular win since 2012.
“Private Practice is an amazing horse,” Colvin affirmed. “He’s one of my favorite horses, and this class is a blast because we are able to ride under the lights and in the International Arena. They don’t host many hunter classes in this arena anymore so to be able to go back in this ring is a lot of fun.”
Katie Taylor and Kindred. Photo © Sportfot
Katie Taylor moved up from the third position to second and was a strong contender for the top honor, but fell just short of Colvin after completing the second round with a total of 178.82 points.
“It’s incredible to be representing the west coast here tonight,” said Taylor. “ I received the e-mail a few months ago that I had qualified to come and do this, and I’ve always wanted to be a part of this class.
“We were going to send my horse out here for this but it was a lot to send him just for the week,” she continued.
“I jumped 10 single jumps with [Kindred] this morning and just loved everything about him, so they were kind enough to let me show him tonight,” Taylor commented of Gabrielle Sokolow’s eight-year-old Warmblood gelding.
Scott Stewart and Private Life. Photo © Sportfot
Third-place honors were awarded to veteran hunter professional Scott Stewart aboard his trusted mount, Private Life, with a total combined score of 177.82.
“I was really pleased with Private Life. He hasn’t shown since the National Horse Show and he had a month off after that so we had to get him fit again,” explained Stewart of Dr. Betsee Parker’s nine-year-old KWPN gelding (Verdi x Pinot Rosso). “Tonight, his best round was his final round but he’s always very dependable and he’s still fairly young so I’m excited to have him.”
For full results, visit www.PBIEC.com.
Final Results: $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular
Horse, Rider, Owner
Round 1 total | Round 2 total | Overall total
1 Private Practice, Victoria Colvin, Brad Wolf
90.33 | 91.83 | 182.16
2 Kindred, Katie Taylor, Gabrielle Sokolow
88.66 | 90.16 | 178.82
3 Private Life, Scott Stewart, Dr. Betsee Parker
89.16 | 88.66 | 177.82
4 Seaside, Augusta Iwasaki, Eliza Kimball
85.50 | 91.33 | 176.83
5 Big Shot, Jenny Karazissis, Dulcie Lou Morris,
86.00 | 89.33 | 175.33
6 Heaven’s Dream, Kate Conover, Isabella Griffin
86.83 | 88.41 | 175.24
7 Carento, Elizabeth Towell Boyd, Sherri Crawford
84.50 | 89.66 | 174.16
8 Luminosity, Geoffrey Hesslink, Sabrina Hellman
85.83 | 88.16 | 173.99
9 Ocean Road, John French, Keri Kampsen & Lexi Reed
85.16 | 87.00 | 172.16
10 Tufton Avenue, Stephanie Danhakl, Stephanie Danhakl
84.66 | 86.91 | 171.57
11 In Writing, Kelley Farmer, Larry Glefke & Wendy Hofmeister
85.66 | 85.75 | 171.41
12 Park City, Holly Orlando, Privet Farm LLC
83.66 | 84.66 | 168.32
Sweden’s Petronella Andersson and New Mount Davarusa Clinch the Win in the $37,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Classic
In Saturday’s 1.50m class held on the picturesque Derby Field at Equestrian Village, a talented group of 43 top horse-and-rider pairs took on the challenge with only six advancing to the jump-off. The length and scope of obstacles including a triple in the middle of the course, set by Ana Catalina “Catsy” Cruz Harris (MEX), proved to be a big test for many.
Petronella Andersson and Davarusa. Photo © Sportfot
In the jump-off, Petronella Andersson of Sweden aboard 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare Davarusa (Zavall VDL x Zavarusa H) clinched the win with a fault-free round and a time of 38.44 seconds for Stephex Stables. She edged out Ireland’s Paul O’Shea on Skara Glen’s 7 Pillars, who came in second with a time of 39.52 seconds. In third place was Lacey Gilbertson (USA) aboard Bijzonder, owned by Seabrook LLC, in 39.89 seconds. Fourth place went to Andrea Torres Guerreiro (COL) on Fifty Shades, owned by Santa Catalina Farm, with four faults and a time of 37.61 seconds, followed by Bliss Heers (USA) and Goodbye, owned by Bridgeside Farms LLC, with four faults in 37.66 seconds.
“On the field, if your horse doesn’t have much experience, they can be spooky and they don’t know how to react out there,” said Andersson. “However, I’m happy with my horse. She did a great job and is a new horse for me; I have only ridden her in two shows before coming here. She has a great personality, is very straightforward and careful, and has a great mind.”
Andersson, 28, is based in Belgium and works for Stephex Stables, home to four riders competing at WEF, including Lorenzo De Luca and Zoe and Emilie Conter.
Petronella Andersson and Davarusa in their winning presentation with Olga Hartsock and Vice President of Development Tim Luby of CaptiveOne Advisors. Photo © Sportfot
This is Andersson’s third season riding at WEF, the only show she rides at in the United States. “I’m lucky because I get the best of both worlds. I just came from showing in Spain with six horses and here I have three horses,” she said. “Riding at WEF is very competitive, and the courses are fast and big enough with impressive jumps. I find the horses really like to get out on the field and the footing is amazing.”
Andersson’s plan is to continue showing for 5 weeks at WEF, including the CSI5* next week.
Also winning on the Derby Field at Equestrian Village, Sydney Shulman (ISR) won the $10,000 Hermès Under 25 Welcome riding Ardente Printaniere, owned by Jill Shulman.
For full results, visit www.PBIEC.com.
Final Results: $37,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Classic
1 DAVARUSA: 2008 KWPN mare by Zavall VDL x Zavarusa H
PETRONELLA ANDERSSON (SWE), Stephex Stables: 0/0/38.44
2 SKARA GLEN’S 7 PILLARS: 2010 KWPN gelding by Spartacus x Whisky
PAUL O’SHEA (IRL), Skara Glen Stables, LLC: 0/0/39.52
3 BIJZONDER: 2006 KWPN gelding by Acodettol x Quite Easy
LACEY GILDERTSON (USA), Seabrook LLC: 0/0/39.89
4 FIFY SHADES: 2008 WEST gelding by Call Me Number One x Sheltana
ANDREA TORRES GUERREIRO (COL), Santa Catalina Farm: 0/4/37.61
5 GOODBYE: 2011 KWPN mare by Eldorado VD Zeshoek x Rivella Light
BLISS HEERS (USA), Bridgeside Farms LLC: 0/4/37.66
6 CATWALK HENRY: 2009 ISH gelding by Verdi TN x Bens Star
LORENZO DE LUCA (ITA), Stephex Stables: 0/11/50.68
7 CENTRIKO VOLO: 2012 OLD gelding by Centadel x Dolcetta
JORDAN COYLE (IRL), Celtic Park LLC: 4/69.10
8 CALVALOU: 2007 OLD gelding by Calvaro x Grand Lulu
TODD MINIKUS (USA), Todd Minikus Ltd: 4/70.03
9 SHANGRI-LA: 2011 KWPN mare by Cardento x Lugana
ALISE OKEN (USA) , Hi Hopes Farm LLC: 4/70.13
10 DONTEZ: 2008 KWPN gelding by Verdi x Jenie
FREDDIE VAZQUEZ (PUR), G6 Holdings & Freddie Vazquez: 4/71.53
11 CIRDANO VD VIJVERHOEVE Z: 2010 KWPN stallion by Thunder VD Zuuthoeve x Sipora
MARK BLUMAN (COL), Over the Top Stables LLC: 4/71.84
12 DESTINY VAN SCHORE: 2009 SBS mare by Ugano Sitte x Quintine Du Houssoit
JORGE MATTE CAPDEVILA (CHI), Jorge Matte: 4/72.07
Hunter Competition Soaks Up the Spotlight During Day Four of WCHR Week
Junior and amateur hunter riders once again stepped into the International Arena to compete for the top honors in their divisions during WCHR Week of the 2020 Winter Equestrian Festival. Competition started with Augusta Iwasaki and Eliza Kimball’s Seaside receiving the tri-color ribbon for the Large Junior Hunter 15 and Under division.
Augusta Iwasaki and Seaside. Photo © Sportfot
This championship qualified Iwasaki and Seaside for the Hunter Spectacular night class, which is the highlight of Iwasaki’s WEF show season. Iwasaki, of Calabasas, CA, and the 14-year-old Warmblood gelding (Argentinus x Lindsay 10) won all three over-fences classes in the division to put them on top. “He is really sweet, but makes you work for it a little bit. It’s really rewarding to be able to do well with him because you have to earn his trust,” Iwasaki explained.
Henry Healy rode Patton, owned by Blue Mountain, LLC, to reserve champion in the division. Healy, of Cincinnati, OH, and Patton received a second, third, and fourth-place ribbon.
Kelly Tropin and Chablis. Photo © Sporfot
The E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring began on Saturday morning with Kelly Tropin and Chablis earning the championship in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35 division, sponsored by Palm Beach Equine Clinic. Tropin and the 12-year-old Wurttemberger gelding (Camparino x Zuchtbuch) owned by Libertas Farm LLC, received two firsts and a fifth place. Chablis has been with Tropin, of New Canaan, CT, and her trainers, Peter Lutz and Mary Manfredi, since he was four years old. Today, Tropin felt the pressure to perform her best with her mount in order to be on top of the class.
“I knew going into the last round that I had to win in order to be champion or reserve,” Tropin commented. “When you have really good riders, you can’t afford to make a mistake. I’ve done a Jedi mind trick on myself where I have convinced myself that I like the pressure of having to win.”
Stephanie Danhakl and Tufton Avenue earned the reserve champion title of the division. Danhakl, the owner and rider from Pacific Palisades, CA, received a first, second, and two fourth places.
Kat Fuqua and Cornell 22. Photo © Sportfot
The second champion to be crowned in the International Arena was Kat Fuqua, who took home both champion and reserve in the Small Junior Hunters 15 and Under, sponsored by Triple Crown Custom by Horseware. This year marks Fuqua’s first time being champion during WCHR Week. Fuqua, of Atlanta, GA, and her horse Cornell 22 received two firsts, a fourth, and an eighth to earn the title. The nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Carrico x Santafe) is usually Fuqua’s equitation mount, but she decided to show him in the junior hunter division during the feature hunter week of WEF. “He’s really smooth over the jumps, he doesn’t jump too hard. He jumps well for the hunters too, not just equitation,” Fuqua described of Cornell 22.
Only one point behind was Fuqua with her second mount, Consent. Fuqua rode the mount that joined her string just a week ago to a first, second, third, and fifth-place finish.
Jean Sheptoff and Verdict. Photo © Sportfot
The Amateur-Owner Hunter 36+ division, sponsored by Hunt LTD, finished up with Jean Sheptoff and Verdict taking top honors in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. Sheptoff rode her nine-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Verdi x Kassandra) to two firsts place ribbons. This is the pair’s third WEF season together and Verdict’s first time under the lights in a night class. Sheptoff, of Littleton, MA, was very pleased with Verdict’s performance both days and is looking forward to attending The Devon Horse Show and indoors with him later in the year.
“He walked into the [International Arena] and couldn’t have been any better! He was so smooth in the handy, that’s kind of his specialty because he is so cat-like,” Sheptoff explained.
Reserve champion of the Amateur-Owner Hunter 36+ division went to Lee Kellogg Sadrian and her horse Rafki. Sadrian, of Summit, NJ, and Rafki earned a first, third, fifth, and seventh place in the division.
Sophie Gochman and Critic’s Choice. Photo © Sportfot
Two champions were crowned in the International Arena during the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division, sponsored by Bruno Delgrange. Sophie Gochman and Critic’s Choice, owned by Bikoff Equestrian LLC, received the championship for Section A of the division. Gochman, of New York, NY, and Critic’s Choice earned a first, two seconds, and a sixth place. The seven-year-old Westphalian gelding (Al La Carte x Larissa) is a new ride for Gochman, who just started showing the horse this year. The pair received a high score of 90 on Friday in one of the over fences classes.
“I’m super lucky to get the ride on him. We really started clicking this week, it’s a really great feeling,” Gochman commented. “We came in pretty confident today, which was nice going into the International Arena because it can be a lot for the hunters. Overall, it was a great week with him!”
Maggie Hill and Cassanto. Photo © Sportfot
Maggie Hill and Summit Farms LLC’s Cassanto took home the championship for Section B of the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division. Hill rode the 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Canto x Stefania) to a first, third, fourth, and sixth-place finish. This will be Hill’s third year competing in the Hunter Spectacular, but her first time with Cassanto. The pair has been together for three years and has earned many championship ribbons from top horse shows.
“Yesterday, the second round was our favorite class, the handy. He was perfect and we won that,” Hill, of Jackson, WY, said of the first day of the division. “And for today, the International Arena is a beautiful ring; it’s one of the most fun rings to ride in and it’s so special for the hunters to go in there this week.”
The reserve title of the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division for Section A went to Ellie Ferrigno and Redfield Farm’s Capitalized. Ferrigno, of Newtown, CT, and Capitalized earned two seconds, a third, and a seventh-place ribbon. Taking home reserve champion in Section B was Juliette Joseph, of Del Mar, CA, and Always Social. Joseph rode Robert Milligan’s Always Social to a first place in the under saddle and two fourths over fences.
Hallie Grimes and Custom Made. Photo © Sportfot
The final champion to be named in the International Arena was Hallie Grimes and Custom Made in the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division. Grimes and the 15-year-old gelding (Chambertin x Montana FPH) earned two firsts, a fourth, and an eighth place in the division. Grimes, who trains with Berry Porter and North Run, is going into her last junior year, her fourth year with Custom Made, and her first Hunter Spectacular. The pair was successful both days of the division, winning the handy on Friday and the stake class in the International Ring on Saturday.
“Yesterday, the handy was hard! There were a lot of options and inside turns, and you could make it as hard as you wanted to. I kind of just went for it and he said ‘OK!’ and he won that class, which was great,” Grimes of Houston, TX, explained. “He also loves the International Arena because you can really open up and just gallop!”
Isha Swani, of Ponte Verda Beach, FL, rode Bond to reserve champion in the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division. Swani and Bond, owned by Shadowfax Equestrian LLC, received a first and third-place ribbon.
Sunday will be the final day of WCHR Week, featuring the $5,000 Peggy Cone Memorial WCHR Adult Hunter Classic and the $5,000 WCHR Junior Hunter 3’3” Classic in the International Arena.
Find full results from Saturday’s hunter competition online at For full results, visit www.PBIEC.com..
Photo credit: Photos © Sportfot, official photographer of the Winter Equestrian Festival. These photos may be used only in relation to this press release and must include photo credit.