Brazilian rider Rodrigo Lambre topped the $214,000 Premier Equestrian Grand Prix CSIO4* riding Catover on Sunday, March 1, 2020, to conclude week eight of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL.
USA’s Ken Krome set a two-round track for 50 challengers in the final event of the week, and saw eight qualify for a tie-breaking jump-off. Lambre saved the best for last as the final jump-off rider. He and Catover were fast and precise to stop the clock double-clear in 37.73 seconds for the win over Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam and Chaqui Z in 38.29 seconds.
“He is amazing,” said Lambre of Catover, an 11-year-old Holsteiner stallion (Catoki x Contact Me) owned by Mario Onate. “I have had him since he was eight, and I flat him almost every day but I’ve only actually been riding him seriously since October of last year in preparation for Tokyo. We all have Tokyo in mind this year; it’s our dream. It’s a difficult year to qualify for the team in every country, but we have also so many nations cups and so many shows that we can go in. It’s promising.”
Sweetnam and Chaqui Z, a 14-year-old Zangershiede stallion (Chacco Blue x Quinar Z) finished just off the pace for owner Spy Coast Farm LLC, but Sweetnam was pleased with the performance.
“I was delighted with him. This is only his first time that he’s shown here this year, and it’s only his first real big class,” said Sweetnam. “He felt great, and I think his jump-off was excellent. Even though he’s 14, he feels like he’s eight. So, I’m really happy with where he is at the moment.”
Finishing third in 39.08 seconds, Alexandra Thornton (GBR) is making her return to WEF after five years away from the North American show scene, saying, “I’ve been based in Europe since 2012, so it’s a long way to come. Last time I came, it was a completely different experience. The footing is amazing, which makes a world of difference for the horses. And actually I’ve extended my trip!”
Thornton piloted Charielle, a 14-year-old Oldenburg mare (Chacco-Blue x Argentinus), which was originally sold to her by Lambre and is now owned by Dunwalke Ltd.
Luis Pedro Biraben (ARG) finished in fourth riding Colorado 210 for owner Miguel Madero, while Israel’s Sydney Shulman rounded out the top five on J-Boston S.E., a horse she owns together with her mother Jill Shulman.
Press Release
USA’s Ken Krome set a two-round track for 50 challengers in the final event of the week, and saw eight qualify for a tie-breaking jump-off. Lambre saved the best for last as the final jump-off rider. He and Catover were fast and precise to stop the clock double-clear in 37.73 seconds for the win over Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam and Chaqui Z in 38.29 seconds.
“He is amazing,” said Lambre of Catover, an 11-year-old Holsteiner stallion (Catoki x Contact Me) owned by Mario Onate. “I have had him since he was eight, and I flat him almost every day but I’ve only actually been riding him seriously since October of last year in preparation for Tokyo. We all have Tokyo in mind this year; it’s our dream. It’s a difficult year to qualify for the team in every country, but we have also so many nations cups and so many shows that we can go in. It’s promising.”
Sweetnam and Chaqui Z, a 14-year-old Zangershiede stallion (Chacco Blue x Quinar Z) finished just off the pace for owner Spy Coast Farm LLC, but Sweetnam was pleased with the performance.
“I was delighted with him. This is only his first time that he’s shown here this year, and it’s only his first real big class,” said Sweetnam. “He felt great, and I think his jump-off was excellent. Even though he’s 14, he feels like he’s eight. So, I’m really happy with where he is at the moment.”
Finishing third in 39.08 seconds, Alexandra Thornton (GBR) is making her return to WEF after five years away from the North American show scene, saying, “I’ve been based in Europe since 2012, so it’s a long way to come. Last time I came, it was a completely different experience. The footing is amazing, which makes a world of difference for the horses. And actually I’ve extended my trip!”
Thornton piloted Charielle, a 14-year-old Oldenburg mare (Chacco-Blue x Argentinus), which was originally sold to her by Lambre and is now owned by Dunwalke Ltd.
Luis Pedro Biraben (ARG) finished in fourth riding Colorado 210 for owner Miguel Madero, while Israel’s Sydney Shulman rounded out the top five on J-Boston S.E., a horse she owns together with her mother Jill Shulman.
Press Release