For Immediate Release
Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Wellington, FL – February 18, 2022 – The 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued on Friday, February 18, with international show jumping on the grass Derby Field at Equestrian Village. Out of field of 102 entries and in a California split, Ali Wolff (USA) with Blacklick Bend Farm’s Casall and Karl Cook (USA) riding Fecybelle, owned by Helen Signe Ostby, came away with victory in the $37,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round VI CSI3*.
WEF 6, sponsored by IDA Development, features World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) competition as the main feature in the International Arena with the USHJA/WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular on Saturday, February 19, at 6:30 p.m.
As the only class on the Derby Field on Friday, the Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round VI featured a challenging course from designer Ana Catalina Cruz Harris (MEX), who was able to narrow the field down to 16 for the jump-off with nine countries represented. Of those, three chose not to return.
In the fifth spot of 13 in the returning order, Cook and Fecybelle took to the field for their jump-off round. They were chasing a time of 40.52 with a clear round set by Samuel Hutton (GBR) on H&C Kirlo van den Bosrand, owned by Abdel Saïd. They finished second in Section B.
Cook was able to lower the leading time to 39.22 seconds, which would hold up for the Section B victory.
It was a welcome return to the show ring for Cook and Fecybelle, a horse he has ridden since May 2019. After the mare’s injury at her first show in the winter of 2021, Cook brought her back slowly and only competed in one 1.45m class in December 2021.
“It’s great to have her back,” said Cook of his 12-year-old KWPN mare by Carambole x Sjapoo. “It means a lot not only for her because of how long of time she’s been out, and it just feels great to have her back, but also last week with the mistake I made in the grand prix. Being able to come out this week and reset and just keep going feels good.”
Cook, who is from Rancho Santa Fe, CA, almost passed on Fecybelle after seeing her on video, but after examining her show record and seeing clear round after clear round, he made the decision to buy her.
“Very quickly it started to work,” he recalled. “She’s like a gamer-type horse. She’s not very flashy when she jumps, but she wants to go. She really understands it. It’s really fun to ride when the horse understands the job, and she’s so good at it.”
Second to last to go in the jump-off, Wolff guided her veteran partner Casall through the jump-off to record the fastest time of 39.15 seconds for the Section A victory.
Wolff likens Casall to a “fine wine – better with age.” She added, “Maybe this is entering our second prime.”
Wolff, of Columbus, OH, has ridden the 17-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Casall x Capitol I since he was seven years old, and he has stepped up at various points of Wolff’s show jumping career, including as an eight- and nine-year-old. Together they have scored major victories, including in the 2018 Upperville Grand Prix CSI4*, and they helped the U.S. team to victory in the 2015 FEI Nations Cup CSIO4* with two clear rounds in Coapexpan, Mexico.
“When [he was eight years old], we saw what he could really do and what he was capable of,” said Wolff.
As Casall has aged, Wolff has found that the main grand prix ring at PBIEC is not as much to his liking, but the grass Derby Field was where he shined. The pair was double clear and third in the $216,000 Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix CSI4* during WEF 4.
“He loves this footing, and this footing has been fantastic,” she remarked. “I decided this year I’m just going to only stay here and only jump FEI here with him. And so far, knock on wood, it has paid off for me.”
Wolff has found that the grass field opens up horses as well. “These horses get massive strides out here. This field is huge, and they get this gallop and it’s like a 14-foot stride,” she said.
As for Casall’s signature incredible jumping style, Wolff has adjusted to it over the years.
“When he jumps well, it kind of pops into your chest a little bit,” she described. “He jumps the most beautiful jump, but he kind of squirrels over it a little bit too. He doesn’t clear it by a lot, and he’s kind of grown into that style and now he knows exactly where his feet are, exactly where he needs to pick it up. I think that’s also allowed us to be a little bit quicker. Over the years, we’ve really tried to focus on getting quicker. We’re not the fastest across the ground, and that’s been our only challenge out here on the field. But when it comes turning and everything, I think that’s where we can kind of catch up.”
Following Wolff in second place in Section A was Beth Underhill (CAN) riding Chacco Kid Group’s Chacco Kid. They were clear in 39.37 seconds. Third place went to Jonathan McCrea (USA) and Fantasy BB, owned by Windsor Show Stables, in a time of 43.48 seconds.
Hutton held onto second place in Section B, while fellow British rider Amanda Derbyshire piloted Cornwall BH, owned by Gochman Sport Horses LLC, to third place in 45.86 seconds.
Final Results: $37,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round VI CSI3*
SECTION A
1. CASALL: 2005 Holsteiner gelding by Casall x Capitol I
ALI WOLFF (USA), Blacklick Bend Farm: 0/0/39.15
2. CHACCO KID: 2006 Oldenburg gelding by Chacco-Blue x Come On
BETH UNDERHILL (CAN), Chacco Kid Group: 0/0/39.37
3. FANTASY BB: 2010 KWPN mare by Cardento 933 x Labor’s VDL Indorado
JONATHAN MC CREA (USA), Windsor Show Stables: 0/0/43.48
4. DAWA DE GREENBAY Z: 2012 Zangersheide stallion by Diarado x Schilling ET
ZOE CONTER (BEL), Stephex Stables: 0/4/40.75
5. JET BLUE: 2011 KWPN gelding by VDL Zirocco Blue
CARLY ANTHONY (USA), Portfolio Horses LLC: 0/4/42.82
6. DEZ OOKTOFF: 2008 KWPN gelding by Colandro x Lys Rouge
ROBERTO TERAN TAFUR (COL), Roberto Teran Tafur: 0/4/44.53
7. DIARADO’S FLYING DUTCHMAN: 2010 Oldenburg gelding by Diarado x Landadel
LAURA CHAPOT (USA), Laura & Mary Chapot: 0/9/53.68
8. GREAT-TIKILA J: 2011 KWPN mare by Carosso VDL x Nabab de Reve
DARRAGH KENNY (IRL), HKC Collection LLC: 0/WD
9. FREAKY LIEFHEBBER: 2010 KWPN gelding by Darco x Litho X
JACQUELINE STEFFENS (CAN), Jacqueline Steffens: 1/79.66
10. H5 CHACCO-SAN: 2011 Hanoverian gelding by Chacco-Blue x Sandro boy
CARLOS HANK GUERREIRO (MEX), H5 Sport Horses LLC: 4/74.40
11. MONACO: 2009 Holsteiner gelding by Cassini II x Contender
HARRIE SMOLDERS (NED), Evergate Stables LLC: 4/75.43
12. FARONA: 2010 KWPN mare by Baltic VDL x Lux Z
DANIEL COYLE (IRL), Ariel Grange: 4/75.82
SECTION B
1. FECYBELLE: 2010 KWPN mare by Carambole x Sjapoo
KARL COOK (USA), Helen Signe Ostby: 0/0/39.22
2. H&M KIRLO VAN DEN BOSRAND: 2010 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Cardento 933 x Utrillo vd Heffinck
SAMUEL HUTTON (GBR), Abdel Saïd: 0/0/40.52
3. CORNWALL BH: 2008 Holsteiner gelding by Con Air x Cambridge
AMANDA DERBYSHIRE (GBR), Gochman Sport Horses LLC: 0/0/45.86
4. HALITA O: 2012 KWPN mare by Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Heartbreaker
PETRONELLA ANDERSSON (SWE), Stephex Stables: 0/4/41.09
5. CHACCATARA: 2010 Oldenburg mare by Chacco-Blue x Cento
ANTONIA PETTERSSON HAGGSTROM (SWE), Abdel Saïd: 0/4/43.91
6. BOHEME DE FLEYRES: 2011 Selle Français mare by Vargas de STE Hermelle x Easy Boy
ASHLEE BOND (ISR), Ashlee Bond Show Jumping: 0/8/40.66
7. CORONADO: 2009 Holsteiner gelding by San Patrignano Cassini x Acord II
NAYEL NASSAR (EGY), Evergate Stables LLC: 0/WD
8. CHAKRA 9: 2010 Holsteiner mare by Casall x Quidam de Revel
EOIN MCMAHON (IRL), Beerbaum Stables: 0/WD
9. CARAMBA 92: 2011 Westphalian gelding by Comme Il Faut 5 x Baloubet du Rouet
RICHARD VOGEL (GER), Horse Management GMBH: 4/74.10
10. HELLCAT: 2011 Belgian Warmblood mare by Cassander van het Bremhof x Conan Z
PAUL O’SHEA (IRL), Eye Candy Jumpers: 4/75.34
11. DJANGO II: 2011 gelding by Lordano
KATIE LAURIE (AUS), Katie Laurie: 4/75.67
12. EGALINI: 2009 Anglo European gelding by Cheers Cassini x Jalisco B
EVAN COLUCCIO (USA), Hampton Green Farms LLC: 4/75.88
John Ingram and Koala Capture Victory in the $5,000 WCHR Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Classic
Thirty-six top combinations of the Amateur-Owner 3’3” division decided to try their luck under the lights as the day concluded with the $5,000 WCHR Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Classic. The event ran was a two-round format as all competitors were asked to contest the first round, and the top 12 entries with the highest scores were invited to return. Andy Christiansen, Jr. set a flowing track to challenge the mounts.
As the first into the arena, Kelly Sims took no chances setting the tone early and went straight to the top of the leaderboard with a score of 90 aboard her own Private I. Nearing the class’s first-round end, many had tried but none were able to rise to the bar that Sims had set. John Ingram and Koala put forth the closest effort and produced a round earning a score of 89, but as the second track was set it was Sims that remained on top.
The lineup changed throughout the second round and Nashville, TN, native John Ingram emerged as the victor aboard the 14-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding Koala (Carmargue x Falma Hastak). Ingram paired his original score of 89 with an almost identical 88.5 for a total of 177.5.
“My plan was just to go out there and do it; I knew what I wanted to do, and he was there for me, so it worked out,” described Ingram. “We have had Koala for a long time, and he has always been just a good, solid guy. We have moved him down to the 3’3” due to his age, but he seems to enjoy it and he is pretty consistent. I had this feeling like this could be his week, and lo and behold it was.”
Success in the class is certainly a shared family attribute as barn-mate Brad Wolf was the victor the year prior, and Ingram’s own daughter, Martha, the winner two years past.
“We’ve got a great organization of people in our stable that really put their heart and soul in it,” said Ingram. “Everyone on our team does a great job which we are very appreciative of, and they like winning as much as we do!”
The partnership of Callie Seaman, of New York City, NY, and her own 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding Prolific (Cassini II x Alette) earned the runner-up title with a second-round score of 90 and a combined overall score of 177, just half a point shy of the winning combination. Division champion of the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” 36 and Over, Brad Wolf, of Memphis, TN, and his 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding Sebastian (Cancara x Luna XVII) rose to the third position on a total score of 167.
Junior and Amateur Champions Emerge During Third Day of WCHR week at 2022 WEF
The Rosenbaum PLLC Junior Hunter 3’3” 15 & Under division was extremely competitive with a California split resulting in two champions and two reserve champions. In Thursday’s competition in the Rost Arena, Ellie Sadrian picked up a third-place in the hack, first in the handy with an 85, and second in the second over fences class with a score of 87 with Wonderous, her 10-year-old Warmblood gelding. Sadrian really brought the heat on Thursday picking up a second place in the hack and a win in the second over fences class with a score of 88 with her other mount, Winterfell, an 11-year-old Warmblood mare Sadrian leases from Katherine Dewar. Coming into today’s stake class in the International Arena, Wonderous and Winterfell were the two overall division leaders. While some minor mistakes kept them out of the ribbons today, their impressive results from Thursday could not be matched, making Sadrian champion of both the A section and the B section.
Though they are alike in color and both have sweet, outgoing personalities, Sadrian’s two mounts are very different to ride. She explained, “For Wonderous, you have to really keep going, but the best thing about him is his jump. I love his jump. Winterfell’s canter is so nice and it’s really rhythmic, but for her you have to go as slow as possible.”
Sadrian was happy with both of her horses, noting, “I think they were both really good. I made a little mistake on Wonderous in one line counting, but he still jumped so well. I was really proud of Winterfell too.” Sadrian was also really appreciative of the support of her mother and trainers who were there to share in the excitement of the day.
The reserve champions of the division were Hobbs Lane, ridden by Olivia Sweetnam and owned by Sunset View Farm LLC, and Dominik, ridden by Sydney Raidy and owned by Joe Currais. Sweetnam notched a win after scoring a division-high 90 over fences on Thursday, and Raidy earned a win in Friday’s stake class with a score of 86.
Once again, the Sam Edelman Junior Hunter 3’3” 16-17 division also saw a California split, which led to the naming of two division champions and reserve champions. Caroline Maude Hedges normally has the ride on both of her horses Fedor and Speak Up for this division, but a back injury last week prompted her to ask Tessa Downey to take the reins this week. Downey sat on both horses for the first time on Wednesday, but by Thursday’s competition she was ready to rumble. Downey kicked off the division by strutting to a one-two finish in the under saddle class with Speak Up and Fedor respectively. She was just as sharp over fences, picking up two more wins with Speak Up, scoring an 86.5 and then an 89 in the handy class. Fedor scored an 84.5 in the handy for a second-place finish.
Having already sealed the deal with Speak Up for the overall title on Thursday, Downey was able to just enjoy her round in the stake class today with her trainer telling her, “This is just for fun!” The 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Chico’s Boy lived up to his dependable reputation, scoring an 80.5 in today’s stake class for a third-place finish. Downey said, “The best thing about Speak Up is that he’s up for anything. You can point him at anything, and he’ll get you to the other side.”
Downey’s star of the day was Fedor, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Furst Romancier, who topped the stake class with a score of 87. “Fedor, especially, is just great. He just has that spark,” continued Downey. “He was a bit more impressed in [the International Arena], so he jumped even better.”
Fedor’s win on Friday pushed him up the overall standings to claim the championship title in the B section of the division. The reserve champion of the A section was Topgallant, ridden by Caroline Hoover and owned by Madeleine Lohr, who won the flat class and bested the field in Thursday’s over fences class with an 87. In the B section, the reserve championship honors went to Ardendelle, ridden and owned by Anna Pemble. Their solid results throughout the division were highlighted by their win on Friday with a score of 86.
Martha Ingram and Private Practice rode to yet another tricolor win after the final round of the Adequan® Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” 18-35 division concluded Friday afternoon. She and John and Stephanie Ingram, LLC’s well-established gelding successfully landed top three placings over the entire division after picking up a first, two seconds, and a third place.
“We’ve had Private Practice since August of 2020,” said Ingram. “Brad [Wolf] didn’t really want to sell him but even he said that we were a perfect pairing, so he graciously sold him to us. He was what I consider an early birthday present, even though I got him in August and my birthday is in December.”
The chestnut gelding has already established legendary status among the top hunter athletes having won many other titles before partnering with Ingram, including the 2018 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship and the 2020 USHJA/WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular.
“He just loves his job so incredibly much,” added Ingram. “He is talented, but he also enjoys what he does, and that makes the difference because they can have talent but if they don’t like what they are doing they may not give it as much effort. He loves people, he loves to please, and he loves to win.”
The pair will return to the International Arena for a final time of the week to contest other exhibitors in the evening’s $5,000 WCHR Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Classic. The reserve champion honors were received by Jamee Crawford and Legado Farms, LLC’s Coldplay. First, second, and fifth places earned the pair the honors by putting them nine points below Ingram.
Ingram’s barn-mate Brad Wolf picked up the championship in the Amateur-Owner 3’3” 36 and Over division aboard his own gelding Sebastian. With first, second, third, and sixth places, the duo earned 20.5 points to secure the win.
“My trainer Tom [Wright] came across Sebastian five or six years ago and told the owner that if she ever wanted to sell him, to call him,” recalled Wolf. “We got that call last year because she was pregnant, and Tom told me not to even bother trying him, but to just go ahead and buy him. So I did, and I have loved him ever since!”
“I think our team is so successful because of two main people: Tom Wright, our trainer, and Torrey Hardison, our manager,” finished Wolf. “Torrey is so good at getting the horses prepared and planning their therapies, and he is just an amazing manager. Tom is a master hunter trainer and has an incredible way about him to build up for the big classes. They are both essential to our success, as are the phenomenal horses we have.”
John Ingram and his partner Koala placed as the division’s reserve champions following closely behind fellow barnmate, Brad Wolf. He and John and Stephanie Ingram, LLC’s gelding narrowly missed the top total of points after producing placings of first, second, and seventh.