For Immediate Release
Sabrina Schmidt and Summer Grace for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Wellington, FL – February 4, 2022 – The 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued on Friday, February 4, with major competition in a multitude of arenas. While international jumpers competed at Equestrian Village, the hunters were featured in the International Arena at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL. A field of 51 entries faced the “Hunt & Go” Format of the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby with Jimmy Torano and Laskano, owned by Isalou, Inc., securing yet another win.
The feature events of WEF 4, sponsored by The Bainbridge Companies, will run on Saturday, February 5, with the $216,000 Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix CSI4* on the grass Derby Field at Equestrian Village at 11 a.m. and the Great Charity Challenge, sponsored by Fidelity Investments® kicking off with the Pet Parade at 6:30 p.m. and the first team in the ring in the International Arena at PBIEC at 7 p.m.
The Hunt & Go Format for the hunter derby consolidates two rounds into one round with both a classic and a handy portion of the course.
“It’s similar in a jumper class to a power and speed,” said Torano of the format. “You still get to do both a classic round and a handy round, but especially at a show like this where you’re so busy and running ring to ring, it can be nice to do it all at once and be done, so I like it.”
Torano had another horse go early in the order but knowing Laskano would be towards the end of the order, he came in with a plan, jumping to a total of 382.5 points.
“I knew going late in the order that I had to do something special to win,” he said. “From fences four to five it was basically 10 strides, and I thought I would do nine and try to wow the judges a bit.
“I think I pulled out all the stops coming to the last jump,” continued Torano. “I really let him gallop to the last jump. I think from start to finish he was spot on, but I think the last jump was really the exclamation point.”
Laskano is a 10-year-old Westphalian gelding owned by Daryl Portela of Isalou Inc., and he and Torano have been quite successful together so far, capturing a derby win in December with the start of the new show year and winning the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby 2* during WEF Premiere week.
“This is his third derby he’s won this year,” noted Torano. “For me, today, I think was the best of all the derbies he’s done. We got this horse from Emil Spadone and Cassie Kahle. We are all thinking of Cassie right now, and this win was for her.”
With such stellar performances thus far, Torano and Laskano currently have their eyes set on more of the same. “The ultimate goal is derby finals in August in Kentucky,” he explained. “We still have a lot of fish to fry, but hopefully we’ll do the big night class here during World Champion Hunter Week, and obviously we’ll do indoors and those big championship-type shows.”
Torano is hopeful, but also has faith in the bay gelding. “We use him now and then,” he said. “Luckily he wins a lot so I don’t have to use him very often. I try to pinpoint and really gear toward these derbies.”
Second place in the derby with a score of 380.25 went to Mindful and Jennifer Hannan, who rode for Kensel LLC, while third place on a score of 375 went to Meaningful, owned by Emma Vandenhouten and ridden by Kelley Farmer.
Final Results: $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby ‘Hunt & Go’
Horse, Rider, Owner
Round 1 Total | Round 2 Total | Overall Total
1. Laskano, Jimmy Torano, Isalou Inc.
182 | 200.5 | 382.5
2. Mindful, Jennifer Hannan, Kensel LLC
181.5 | 198.75 | 380.25
3. Meaningful, Kelley Farmer, Emma Vandenhouten
186 | 189 | 375
4. MTM Hand Him Over, Liza Towell Boyd, Rebekah Warren
176.25 | 193.5 | 369.75
5. Milagro, John French, Kent Farrington LLC
177.25 | 190 | 367.25
6. WI Fabregas, McKayla Langmeier, Rafferty Farm LLC
178 | 187 | 365
7. Ipso Facto, Victoria Colvin, Glade Run Farm LLC
175 | 188 | 363
8. Small Kingdom, Augusta Iwasaki, Iwasaki & Reilly
171.25 | 188.5 | 359.75
9. Cascartini, Liza Towell Boyd, Ken and Amy Wexler LLC
175.51 | 181 | 356.51
10. Diablue 7, Geoffrey Heslink, 7 Dog Farm LLC
174 | 182.5 | 356.5
11. Front Page, Colin Syquia, Cynthia Sulzberger
168.5 | 186.75 | 355.25
12. Poker Face, Jennifer Bliss, Harris Hill Farm LLC
172.5 | 182.5 | 355
Nicole Walker Wastes No Time in $37,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m CSI4* Win
A busy weekend of competition started promptly Friday morning with all FEI riders heading back to the Derby Field at Equestrian Village. The day was packed with action from the beginning as 49 elite entries debuted in the $37,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m CSI4* where Canada’s Nicole Walker stole the show.
Anderson Lima’s (BRA) first track was held as a single-round speed class at the 1.45m height with a time allowed of 80 seconds flat. A little less than half of the field managed to produce fault-free efforts while 12 entries ended on a single downed rail. Olympic team silver medalist Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Stone Hill Farm’s Volage Du Val Henry looked set to take the victory but Walker managed to shave over a second off of the pair’s time. She and her own 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding Atout Des Trambles (Nectar Des Forets*hn x Apache D’Adriers) left no room for contest as they stepped on the gas and flew through the finish line in a time of 58.36 seconds.
“He’s very game when he’s in the ring and is always looking for the next jump,” explained Walker of the gelding she purchased off a video during the COVID-19 pandemic when travel was heavily restricted. “He was produced by a woman who rides similar to my style as well which is comforting but most importantly, he was recommended by my coach Cian O’Connor and I really trust his judgment.”
She described the gelding as being fresh and ready to go for the winter season after a quiet summer and fall season.
“We train and hack plenty at home to keep him fit, and he felt fantastic today,” said Walker. “He’s quick in the air and has a big stride, so I was able to utilize that and do several of the leave-out strides that no one was doing. Specifically from jumps three to four, I did eight strides instead of nine, and I left a stride out in one or two other places which I think allowed us that extra second.”
Walker was also the recipient of the week’s Champion Equine Insurance Jumper Style Award, presented by Laura Fetterman, for her win in the class.
Springsteen’s efforts with the 13-year-old Selle Francais mare Volage du Val Henry (Quidam de Revel x Cassini I) landed the duo with the reserve honors on their time of 59.11 seconds. Natalie Dean joined fellow countryman Springsteen in the victory gallop as she put forward a clean round with the Marigold Sporthorses, LLC’s nine-year-old mare Dotcom D’Authuit (Diamant De Semilly x Quidam De Revel) with the time of 59.94 seconds.
Final Results: $37,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m CSI4*
1. ATOUT DES TRAMBLES: 2010 Selle Francais gelding by Nectar Des Forets*hn x Apache D’Adriers
NICOLE WALKER (CAN), Nicole Walker: 0/58.36
2. VOLAGE DU VAL HENRY: 2009 Selle Francais mare by Quidam de Revel x Cassini I
JESSICA SPRINGSTEEN (USA), Stone Hill Farm: 0/59.11
3. DOTCOM D’AUTHUIT: 2013 Selle Francais mare by Diamant De Semilly x Quidam De Revel
NATALIE DEAN (USA), Marigold Sporthorses, LLC: 0/59.94
4. UNE DE L’OTHAIN: 2008 Selle Francais mare by Conterno Grande, Old x Cento
HARRIE SMOLDERS (NED), Evergate Stables, LLC: 0/60.29
5. CAROLLO: 2009 Mecklenburger gelding by Chacco Blue x Lee-Lou
GIAVANNA RINALDI (USA), Anton Marano: 0/61.09
6. VDL NIKITA VAN DE LEEUWERK: 2010 BWP mare by Zavall VDL x Argentinus
ALEX MATZ (USA), Horseshoe Trail Farm, LLC: 0/61.16
7. CARAMBA 92: 2011 Westfalian gelding by Comme Il Faut 5 x Baloubet Du Rouet
RICHARD VOGEL (GER), Horse Management GMBH: 0/61.34
8. COMEDIE DE TALMA: 2012 Selle Francais mare by Kannan x Contender
ERYNN BALLARD (CAN), Esperanza Imports, LLC: 0/62.25
9. GOODBYE: 2011 KWPN mare by Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Amulet
BLISS HEERS (USA), Bridgeside Farms LLC: 0/63.33
10. O’HARA ELS: 2012 CH mare by Ogana Sitte x Liandero
MARK MCAULEY (IRL), LT Competition: 0/63.93
11. LA PERLA VD HEFFINCK:2011 BWP mare by Cooper Van De Heffinck x Hades Van De Heffinck
IOLI MYTILINEOU (GRE), Elia Construction SA: 0/63.99
12. FTS KILLOSSERY KONFUSION: 2010 Irish Sport Horse gelding by SIEC Livello x Cruising
JOS VERLOOY (BEL), Eurohorse BVBA: 0/64.26
Cathleen Driscoll and Arome Dominate the $37,000 Helgstrand Jewellery 1.45m CSI2* Qualifier
A large field of 73 combinations took to the turf in the early afternoon for the $37,000 Helgstrand Jewellery 1.45m CSI2* Qualifier. Over a dozen nations were represented over the first phase and a total of 12 competitors were set to return for the jump-off by the halfway drag. Time played a role in narrowing down the field as seven entries were kept out by a single time fault. Despite thorough efforts by 15 across the short track, none could best Cathleen Driscoll (USA).
Eight of the 15 to come back were able to achieve a double-clear finish but Driscoll was once again destined for the qualifying victory, this time with the Plain Bay Farm’s 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding Arome (Norway de la Lande x Attila III) in 39.26 seconds.
“This is a newer horse to my string as we only got him in October of last year,” explained Driscoll. “As I get to know him more, I am starting to realize he will probably be quite fast in the jump-offs. He finished clear but with one time fault in the $140,000 Hygain Feeds Grand Prix CSI3* during WEF 2 so this was a fantastic class to put him in to begin to teach him how to go fast. He is already very scopey and athletic, so I am now learning how to ask him for the next gear, and he is getting better at following me.”
She was the previous winner of the two-star grand prix qualifiers during WEF 2 and 3 with her other mount, Flotylla. Driscoll, who is under the tutelage of the Prudents at Plain Bay Farm, only competed in her first grand prix nine months ago and is in her first season of FEI competition.
“I’m just having a truly unbelievable year,” admitted Driscoll. “This year alone I jumped my first night class, first classes on the field, and had my first FEI win so I am just on cloud nine. I came to Plain Bay Farm almost four years ago as a working student and groom, and they have been incredibly crucial to my development. It has been so fun to come up the levels with them.”
Young Irishman Tom Wachman finished in a close second behind Driscoll by clearing the timers in 40.33 seconds with Coolmore Show Jumping’s 13-year-old Italian Sport Horse gelding Lazzaro Delle Schiave (Acodetto 2 x Gluecksgriff). The top three was rounded out by David Oberkircher (USA) with his successful round ending in 40.42 seconds with the Southfields Farm LLC’s 14-year-old Selle Francais gelding Upper (Diamant de Semilly x Nadir di San Patrigano).
Final Results: $37,000 Helgstrand Jewellery 1.45m CSI2* Qualifier
1. AROME: 2010 Selle Français gelding by Norway de la Lande x Attila III
CATHLEEN DRISCOLL (USA), Plain Bay Farm: 0/0/39.26
2. LAZZARO DELLE SCHIAVE: 2009 Italian Sport Horse gelding by Acodetto 2 x Gluecksgriff
TOM WACHMAN (IRL), Coolmore Show Jumping: 0/0/40.33
3. UPPER: 2008 Selle Français gelding by Diamant de Semilly x Nadir di San Patrignano
DAVID OBERKIRCHER (USA), Southfields Farm LLC: 0/0/40.42
4. DELEYN: 2011 Holsteiner mare by Larimar 7 x Dobel’s Cento
KEVIN MEALIFF (IRL), Sofia Cady: 0/0/40.56
5. SUPER CHILLED: 2008 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Gelvin Clover
JONATHAN CORRIGAN (IRL), Debra Wycoff: 0/0/40.97
6. NINJA JW VAN DE MOERHOEVE: 2013 Belgian Warmblood mare by Elvis ter Putte x Kashmir van Schuttershof
SLOANE COLES (USA), The Ninja Group: 0/0/41.49
7. EGALINI: 2009 Anglo European gelding by Cheers Cassini x Jalisco B
EVAN COLUCCIO (USA), Hampton Green Farms LLC: 0/0/41.67
8. CHARLIE: 2008 Oldenburg gelding by Chacco-Blue x Charlie Z
CALLIE SCHOTT (USA), Southern Arches LLC: 0/0/44.11
9. ENANDA: 2009 KWPN mare by Nabab de Reve x Holland
LUCY DESLAURIERS (USA), Luja LLC: 0/4/39.52
10. MONBEG THUNDERBALL B: 2012 Irish Sport Horse gelding by O-Piloth
VERONICA TRACY (USA), Coleridge Equestrian BV: 0/4/40.85
11. CLASSIC PENNY: 2012 Norwegian Warmblood mare
SYDNEY SHULMAN-DESIDERIO (ISR), Ilan Ferder: 0/4/41.59
12. SANTA ROSA YALTA: 2012 Mexican Sport Horse mare
DANIEL PEDRAZA LITTLEWOOD (MEX), Daniel Pedraza Littlewood: 0/4/43.21
Run/ Ferder/ Prince Team Takes the $25,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix Series Team Event Title
Eighteen heavy-hitting teams took center stage in the Global International Arena at Equestrian Village as participants of the $25,000 Hermès Under 25 Team Event on Friday afternoon. A total of 68 up-and-coming international riders divided into teams of four with hopes they would be one of the six teams to return in round two. The class was held in a format similar to that of the Nations Cup, allowing for one dropped score by each team in the first phase of competition, with the idea behind the event being that riders hopeful to one day participate on a Nations Cup team would get the opportunity to learn the format and work with a team.
Clearing all obstacles in the time allowed proved to be a challenge for many but teams Oakleaf, C4, Foreigners, Shulman/Ferder, Fast But Not Furious, and Run/Ferder/Prince were ultimately able to advance onward. With the lowest combined score of nine faults, team Run/Ferder/Prince consisting of Virginia Bonnie (USA), Eva Fisherman (USA), Alexander Alston (USA), Natalie Dean (USA), and Chef d’Equipe John Brennan emerged victorious.
“It really came together nicely,” explained Brennan of his newly-assembled team. “I play Chef d’Equipe for Zone 1 quite a bit, and my plan is always just to have a good team of riders that get along and have fun. At the end of the day, this is a learning experience for everyone here and I wasn’t sure how everything was going to go but we have good riders with good heads on their shoulders and they pulled it off beautifully.”
“This has always been a really exciting class, and my horse is pretty new to me,” said Dean, who acted as the team’s anchor rider with the most experience at 22 years of age. Dean made her Senior Nations Cup debut this past summer at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament.
She and the Marigold Sporthorses, LLC’s nine-year-old Oldenburg mare Acota M (Toulon x Quattro 7) were one of few pairings to put forth a double-clear effort. “This is my first time jumping her this big, so I really just wanted to get to know her and use it as a class to build our partnership,” she said.
Eighteen-year-old Virginia Bonnie boasted the second-best effort on the team by only carrying a first round score of four throughout the class with Nina Bonnie’s 13-year-old KWPN mare Efodea (Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Fodea).
“I’ve been partnered with Effie [Efodea] for a good amount of time, and we’ve had a lot of experience through young riders and prix de states classes,” described Bonnie. “I think what prepared us most though was the Youth Nations Cup Final we participated in in Peelbergen; the level of pressure and intensity we experienced there really helped us to manage today and have two good rounds.”
Brookline, MA, native Eva Fisherman and Gahanna, Ohio, resident Alexander Alston were two of the newer members to the Under 25 circuit but both young athletes were positive and ambitious about the experience.
“The team experience is always great, but I feel like today’s event definitely dialed it up a bit,” Fisherman said. “This team was incredible today.”
“I think the first round definitely wasn’t my finest, but I would say my focus in the second phase to fix the mistakes that I had made was a good recovery,” she continued of her performance with her own 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding Casallvano (Casall x Geston Silvano N). “It is such a nice opportunity to jump two rounds and correct those mistakes. Seeing as I am only 18 years old, my main focus is to continue to get more consistent at this level.”
Alston put forth a good effort in what turned out to be his first Under 25 event. He and Alston Alliance, LLC’s 15-year-old Westphalian gelding Prestigious (Con Cento x Corofino) turned in a two-round total of nine faults.
“This is my first experience in the Under 25 classes, so to be able to compete alongside this team and win is incredibly exciting,” stated Alston. “I tried to just ride as smooth as possible and not overthink everything too much. I am lucky enough to have an awesome horse so that really eases my anxiety as well.”
Team Foreigners stepped into the reserve position falling just one point short of the class leaders. Ansgar Holtgers Jr. (USA) on Chanyon, Grace Debney (GBR) on Boheme De La Roque, Max Wachman (IRL) on Dorette, and Tom Wachman (IRL) on HH Fireball concluded their performance with a grand total of 10 points. Team C4 rounded out the podium with their efforts earning them 13 points total. The competitors on Team C4 consisted of Zoe Conter (BEL) with Dolitaire Chavannaise, Cristobal Collado (MEX) with Princeton Z, Emilie Conter (BEL) and Balento, and Carlos Hank Guerreiro (MEX) aboard H5 Market Irminka.
WEF 4 continues on Saturday, February 5, with the $216,000 Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix CSI4*, the Great Charity Challenge, sponsored by Fidelity Investments®, and the NHS THIS Adult Medal.