Week three of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by Adequan®, concluded on Sunday, January 31, with the $35,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. Held in the International Ring at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), McLain Ward and HH Carlos Z jumped to victory out of 54 entries and a 13-horse jump-off. Luc Musette of Belgium set the course for Sunday’s 1.50m. With 13 in the jump-off, only four were able to clear the short course without fault. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) and Unbelievable 5, owned by Windward Farm and Jessica Suida, were the first pair to clear the jump-off in 38.45 seconds. They won the class last week, but settled for second place this time around. Richard Spooner (USA) and Little Valley Farms’ Chivas Z cleared the course next to take third place honors with a time of 40.08 seconds. Mac Cone (CAN) and Chadburn Holdings Inc.’s Gasper van den Doorn jumped the next clear round in 44.73 seconds to finish fourth. Last to go, Ward and Double H Farm’s HH Carlos Z blazed the winning time of 37.14 seconds. “We needed a clear round and a win,” Ward admitted. “I always feel like I start a little rusty after the break and it is certainly good for the confidence.” The rider also commented on the first round course, stating, “It was good. I think Luc is a great course builder. For me, I think he actually comes a little early in the season because I think he builds difficult and I don’t know if I am quite ready for difficult, but I thought he had the right number clear for the number in the class.” Also competing in the International Ring on Sunday, Lucy Deslauriers and Lisa Deslauriers’ Hester topped the $10,000 SJHOF High Junior Jumper Classic, sponsored by Sleepy P Ranch. Nicole Bellissimo was victorious in the $10,000 Medium Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, sponsored by Animo USA, riding Bellissimo LLC’s Visette.
