Equis Boutique, a luxury tack and apparel shopping experience, is sponsoring the Best Presented Horse Award for the second consecutive year at each International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Horse Inspection held throughout the 12-week WEF.
The FEI Horse Inspection for WEF 5, recognized as a CSI5* event by the FEI, was held Tuesday, February 7, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The FEI Ground Jury, led by President Neil O’Connor, evaluated the appearance and condition of horses jogging for FEI competition and acknowledged the work of Duff’s groom, Solange Deketele, by naming Caesar Z as Best Presented.
Deketele has been grooming the ten-year-old bay Zangersheide gelding by Chopin since she started working for Duff three years ago and noted, “He is quite a character and a little difficult, but that’s what makes him so good in the ring. I love working with him, and he is naturally beautiful all on his own.”
U.S. rider Richard Spooner found Caesar Z in a field as a four-year-old and started the mount for Duff. During the horse’s six-year-old season she took over the ride and campaigned it up to FEI competition.
“I have a real soft spot for him because I have basically owned him his whole life,” said Duff. “My groom and I have been trying really hard to win this award because Caesar has a really beautiful, floaty trot and he is really good at the jog. And we love his big forelock!
“We were still shocked and flattered to win,” continued Duff. “I think it is absolutely fantastic that Equis Boutique sponsors this award, and I am really grateful. It is awesome that they are driving people to turn their horses out well for the jog and creating a high standard.”
Of Deketele, Duff noted, “Solange is probably the hardest working person I know. She is absolutely amazing, takes phenomenal care of my horse, and I am very lucky to have her.”
For the Equis Best Presented Award, Deketele received a commemorative Best Presented Horse vest from Equis Boutique co-founder Elena Couttenye.
Want to know more about Equis? Visit their website at www.equisboutique.com.
