Under a bright shining sun, the Winter Equestrian Festival thrilled its audience during the $130,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round V. A total of 55 combinations took the start, but only 13 qualified for the jump-off. A set of big names and worthy competitors battled it out. Eventually it was Reed Kessler aboard her trusted Cylana who set the fastest time finishing in 38.031 seconds. Canada's Elizabeth Gingras and her bright white gelding, Coup de Chance (ex. Gondor vd Oude Eik) followed in a second place. Coup de Chance did his best to impress and the pair took a clear finish in 38.647 seconds. The third place was claimed by Yann Candele and First Choice 15. With her first place Kessler won an extra $42,900. The top five was completed by Cian O'Connor (Good Luck) and Margie Engle (Royce). It was her confidence in taking a few sharp turns during the jumpoff that gave Kessler the edge that eventually won her the class. The five star track, which attracted a 55-horse starting list, was held under ideal, sunny conditions at midday, a far cry from the rocky weather of previous weeks. The Winter Equestrian Festival’s first CSI5* week is this week, and it showed in both the quality of entries, and a more reasonable number on the start list for today’s grand prix qualifier. Of the 55 entries, the top 45 qualified for Saturday evening’s grand prix.
