Mexican Olympian Carlos Hank Guerreiro and H5 Porthos Maestro WH Z had luck on their side when they topped a 14-horse jump-off to win the $215,000 Horseware Ireland CSI4* Grand Prix during the Winter Equestrian Festival’s (WEF) ‘Saturday Night Lights’ at Wellington International.
Piloting his Paris Olympic mount H5 Porthos Maestro WH Z, Guerreiro tackled Oscar Soberon’s (USA) jump-off track with unmatched speed, challenging the rest of the field to chase him down. He and the 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Picasso Z x Ogano Sitte) stopped the short-course clock at 39.98 seconds.
“I have a very fast horse in Porthos, and it was a big enough jump-off with some very fast riders behind me,” said 24-year-old Guerreiro of the H5 Sport Horses owned gelding. “I didn't want to leave it all out on the line because you still have to leave the jumps up. I wanted to take the risks I knew I could, and it paid off today.”
Giving their best effort, Marilyn Little (USA) and her own mare La Contessa (License x Cornet’s Prinz) finished less than a second off the pace in 40.55 to finish the runner up. Little was also presented with the Martha Jolicoeur, Douglas Elliman Leading Lady Rider Award for her consistent performance throughout WEF week 10.
Ireland’s 20-year-old Tom Wachman rounded out the podium in 40.61 seconds for third riding Coolmore Showjumping’s (Vigo Cece x Laeken) gelding, Do It Easy.
Winning under the lights at Wellington International is the continuation of a dream for Guerreiro and H5 Porthos Maestro WH Z. “He’s been an amazing horse since day one. I've had him since he was seven, and last year he took me to achieve my childhood dream of going to the Olympics.”
After a long break following the 2024 Games in Paris, H5 Porthos Maestro WH Z was meant to ease back into competition this week. “This was his first grand prix at WEF this season, and I wasn't expecting much since he's been on holiday,” said Guerreiro. “He surprised us all and gave everything out there.”
In front of a packed house with eclectic energy, Guerreiro rose to the occasion. “The atmosphere here has always been unbelievable; I've been jumping here for a few years now and these ‘Saturday Night Lights’ are very special. It's what motivates us during the week. To win one has always been a dream of mine so I'm very grateful.”
