The long awaited $146,000 Flagler Insurance CSI3* Grand Prix at Wellington International kicked off Sunday morning with a field of thirty-nine competitors. Out of the thirty-nine pairs, only four advanced to the shortened track. Dylan Daly (IRL) and the Double C Stables-owned Cinderella Z (Chacco-Blue x Julio Mariner XX) produced two clear rides with a 39.79 second jump-off, leading the pack to earn the triumph.
When asked about his partnership with his groom, Daly added: “At the moment, it’s just me and my wife doing the grooming ourselves. The main thing for me is just to spend time with the horse and really build up that team partnership.”
With the advantage of riding later in the class, Peter Lutz (USA) was able to study his opponents and the way the course rode. Luck was on his side, putting in a double-clear ride with a time of 41.86 seconds to take the second-place finish aboard Hollerno (Baltic VDL x Ahorn), owned by Lovsta Stuteri. Rounding out the podium was Ireland’s Paul O’Shea and Oilily Van ‘T Eigenlo (Vigo d'Arsouilles x Montender), owned by Trelawny Farm LLC. The duo produced the quickest ride but had an unfortunate rail, finishing them in the third-place position.