Wellington, FL — February 21, 2018 — The seventh week of the 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) began on Wednesday, February 21, and opening up competition with a win was Diego Vivero of Ecuador on Bijoux in the $35,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m Jumpers CSI 5*. WEF 7 continues through Sunday, February 25 with CSI 5* competition sponsored by Lugano Diamonds and featuring the $384,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI 5* on Saturday, February 24. WEF runs until April 1 and offers more than $9 million in prize money.
Diego Vivero and Bijoux.Photo by Sportfot
There were 67 entries in the final class of the day in the International Arena, and they competed over a course designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio of Red Hook, NY. In the power and speed format, the fastest over the second phase of the course was Vivero on Bijoux, a 12-year-old KWPN mare by Cartani x Athletico owned by Javier Estrada, in 30.35 seconds.
Second place went to Andy Kocher (USA) and Kahlua, owned by Top Line Sporthorse International LLC, who were just behind in 30.74 seconds, while McLain Ward (USA) and Cerise, owned by Sagamore Farms, were third in 30.92 seconds.
Vivero, who moved to Wellington from Ecuador five years ago, works with Mexican sponsor Javier Estrada. He has been riding Bijoux for two years and praised her “very big heart.”
The speed format suits Bijoux well, Vivero said.
“She’s very quick and she doesn’t lose time over the jumps,” he explained. “She’s very flat in the jump and in her canter. She turns very good. We did a very good turn to the liverpool, and I did a good job after the double and had really good time in the last line. I am very competitive, so I like the speed!”
Diego Vivero and Bijoux in their award presentation ceremony accompanied by ringmaster Steve Rector and Andrea Bolaños of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.Photo by Sportfot
Winning in the five-star week and hearing the national anthem for Ecuador was a special moment for Vivero.
“For me, it’s very important,” he said. “Not only the five star, but to win against all of the very good riders, like McLain (Ward), all the best riders in the world here. For my country, it’s very special because my country is very small in this sport. We don’t have many international riders. I was very, very proud. To see your flag is very nice.”
Earlier in the day, Alexandra Paillot (FRA) and Lumina, owned by Paillot Equine Consulting Inc., were victorious in the $1,000 Bainbridge 1.40m Jumpers CSI 5*, while Captain Caruso, ridden and owned by Cormac Hanley (IRL), won the $1,000 The Dutta Corp. 1.40m Jumpers CSI 2*.
Final Results: $35,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m Jumpers
1 BIJOUX: 2006 KWPN mare by Cartani x Athletico
DIEGO VIVERO (ECU), Javier Estrada: 0/0/30.35
2 KAHLUA: 2008 KWPN mare by Tygo x Caritas
ANDREW KOCHER (USA), Top Line Sporthorse International LLC: 0/0/30.74
3 CERISE: 2008 SBS mare by Cicero Z van Paemel x Nonstop
MCLAIN WARD (USA), Sagamore Farms: 0/0/30.92
4 CARUSCHKA 2: 2004 Oldenburg mare by Caspar x Continue
EDUARDO MENEZES (BRA), E2 Stables: 0/0/31.34
5 BULL RUN’S DIVINE FORTUNE: 2009 KWPN mare by Padinus x Caruso
KRISTEN VANDERVEEN (USA), Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC: 0/0/31.71
5 ECLATANT: 2009 KWPN gelding by Berlin x Heartbreaker
PETRONELLA ANDERSSON (SWE), Stephan Conter: 0/0/31.71
7 LITTLE LORD 90: 2005 Holsteiner gelding by Lasino x Calato
KAREN POLLE (JPN), Karen Polle: 0/0/32.00
8 CHAPILOT: 2007 Hanoverian gelding by Chacco Blue x Pilot
RODRIGO LAMBRE (BRA), Mario Onate: 0/0/32.08
9 MANODIE II H: 2005 Oldenburg mare by Carthago x Zeus
GEORGINA BLOOMBERG (USA), Gotham Enterprizes LLC: 0/0/32.38
10 JIVA: 2009 BWP mare by Concorde (84.4140) x Nonstop
BEEZIE MADDEN (USA), Abigail Wexner: 0/0/33.40
11 BURBURRY R: 2006 KWPN mare by Pacific x Indoctro
PETRONELLA ANDERSSON (SWE), Stephan Conter: 0/0/33.47
12 GALAN S: 2006 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Indoctro x Calypso d’Herbiers
BEAT MÄNDLI (SUI), Grant Road Partners LLC: 0/0/33.55
WEF 7 continues on Thursday, February 22, with the $132,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 following the opening class, as well as a championship presentation for the Green Hunter 3’3” division.