Olympic champions Christian Kukuk and Checker 47 returned to familiar territory in Wellington International's stadium during the Winter Equestrian Festival’s (WEF) ‘Saturday Night Lights’. Six months after jumping to Olympic gold in Paris, the 2024 Rolex Grand Prix winning duo came in the crowd favorite and topped the $215,000 NetJets CSI4* Grand Prix. Highlighted by 12 weeks of consecutive FEI competition, WEF continues through March 30 in Wellington, FL.
Germany’s Kukuk and his 15-year-old Westphalian gelding partner (Comme Il Faut 5 x Come On) led off in a seven-horse jump-off and held an edge from the start to win by nearly two seconds.
“First to go is never easy in the jump-off,” said Kukuk, who stopped the clock at 37.35 seconds. “I did not walk the jump-off because there were long lines and I don’t have the huge stride, but I know that [Checker] is naturally very quick even if I have a stride more than the other ones. When I passed the finish line, I knew that the rest were under pressure and they had to try.”
When asked about the special bond Kukuk has created with Checker 47, owned by M.H. & Partner Gbr & Madeleine Winter-Schulzehe, he said, “We have come a long way; I've known him since he was five. That's what you need in the end to have big successes—a strong relationship. Like today, when he comes in the ring he feels when it’s a special day.
“I'm very happy to be back [in Wellington],” concluded Kukuk, who has six of his top horses in Florida for the winter season. “I still really remember that night winning the Rolex Grand Prix here in March last year. It was one of my best nights I ever had and best wins.”
Back-to-back Olympic champions took the top two placings on Saturday night with Great Britain's Ben Maher and Enjeu de Grisien settling as the runners up. Maher—a familiar face at Wellington International—piloted the 11-year-old Selle Français gelding (Toulon x Andiamo) owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright to a time of 39.29 seconds.
"I did everything I could,” admitted Maher. “Enjeu has a very big stride for a small horse, but it's a little slow motion. He jumps with a lot of height and a lofty kind of jump. It was always going to be tough to beat Checker, and with the experience of Christian with that horse and the smooth turn back [in the jump-off], I would have had to take an unrealistic risk to be able to beat him.”
Maher has been competing at WEF for roughly 16 years with many great successes on different horses. “It's been a huge part of my career,” he said. “I think they're doing a great job to build the fan base here that we have in Europe, and it makes it more special for us to ride in these events with a big crowd and it helps raise our game.”
After winning the BrainJuice Under 25 Grand Prix during WEF 2, Nina Mallevaey (FRA) said that her goal was to step up to the four- and five-star level. She realized and exceeded that goal this week with a podium finish in the NetJets Grand Prix riding Dynastie de Beaufour, a 12-year-old Selle Français mare (Diamant de Semilly x Cassini I) owned by Tara Dow-Rein & The Rein Family. They stopped the clock at 39.67 seconds for third place.
“I'm really happy with my horse because it's her first time here,” said 25-year-old Mallevaey, who trains with Laura Kraut and Nick Skelton. “She had a two-month holiday before coming here and she feels amazing. “I’ve been riding her for 10 months now. I'm grateful to have a horse like her. I hope to get more good results and maybe think about some championships with her. This season, I’m hoping I can jump the Rolex Grand Prix.”
After a banner night for the entire team, Checker 47’s caretaker Sofie Karlsson collected a $500 check for the Double H Farm Grooms Award. Additionally, WEF 3’s leading lady, Thaisa Erwin (AUS), was honored with the Martha Jolicoeur, Douglas Elliman Leading Lady Rider Award after consistent performances in three-star competition throughout the week.
Earlier in the day, 20-year-old Carlee McCutcheon won the Florida Coast Equipment CSI2* 1.40m riding longtime partner Coco Mercedes. An all-American podium was rounded out by Caitlin Boyle on Prianti van het Mikkenhof and Blythe Karolyi riding Venitienne Tardonne.
Germany’s Kukuk and his 15-year-old Westphalian gelding partner (Comme Il Faut 5 x Come On) led off in a seven-horse jump-off and held an edge from the start to win by nearly two seconds.
“First to go is never easy in the jump-off,” said Kukuk, who stopped the clock at 37.35 seconds. “I did not walk the jump-off because there were long lines and I don’t have the huge stride, but I know that [Checker] is naturally very quick even if I have a stride more than the other ones. When I passed the finish line, I knew that the rest were under pressure and they had to try.”
When asked about the special bond Kukuk has created with Checker 47, owned by M.H. & Partner Gbr & Madeleine Winter-Schulzehe, he said, “We have come a long way; I've known him since he was five. That's what you need in the end to have big successes—a strong relationship. Like today, when he comes in the ring he feels when it’s a special day.
“I'm very happy to be back [in Wellington],” concluded Kukuk, who has six of his top horses in Florida for the winter season. “I still really remember that night winning the Rolex Grand Prix here in March last year. It was one of my best nights I ever had and best wins.”
Back-to-back Olympic champions took the top two placings on Saturday night with Great Britain's Ben Maher and Enjeu de Grisien settling as the runners up. Maher—a familiar face at Wellington International—piloted the 11-year-old Selle Français gelding (Toulon x Andiamo) owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright to a time of 39.29 seconds.
"I did everything I could,” admitted Maher. “Enjeu has a very big stride for a small horse, but it's a little slow motion. He jumps with a lot of height and a lofty kind of jump. It was always going to be tough to beat Checker, and with the experience of Christian with that horse and the smooth turn back [in the jump-off], I would have had to take an unrealistic risk to be able to beat him.”
Maher has been competing at WEF for roughly 16 years with many great successes on different horses. “It's been a huge part of my career,” he said. “I think they're doing a great job to build the fan base here that we have in Europe, and it makes it more special for us to ride in these events with a big crowd and it helps raise our game.”
After winning the BrainJuice Under 25 Grand Prix during WEF 2, Nina Mallevaey (FRA) said that her goal was to step up to the four- and five-star level. She realized and exceeded that goal this week with a podium finish in the NetJets Grand Prix riding Dynastie de Beaufour, a 12-year-old Selle Français mare (Diamant de Semilly x Cassini I) owned by Tara Dow-Rein & The Rein Family. They stopped the clock at 39.67 seconds for third place.
“I'm really happy with my horse because it's her first time here,” said 25-year-old Mallevaey, who trains with Laura Kraut and Nick Skelton. “She had a two-month holiday before coming here and she feels amazing. “I’ve been riding her for 10 months now. I'm grateful to have a horse like her. I hope to get more good results and maybe think about some championships with her. This season, I’m hoping I can jump the Rolex Grand Prix.”
After a banner night for the entire team, Checker 47’s caretaker Sofie Karlsson collected a $500 check for the Double H Farm Grooms Award. Additionally, WEF 3’s leading lady, Thaisa Erwin (AUS), was honored with the Martha Jolicoeur, Douglas Elliman Leading Lady Rider Award after consistent performances in three-star competition throughout the week.
Earlier in the day, 20-year-old Carlee McCutcheon won the Florida Coast Equipment CSI2* 1.40m riding longtime partner Coco Mercedes. An all-American podium was rounded out by Caitlin Boyle on Prianti van het Mikkenhof and Blythe Karolyi riding Venitienne Tardonne.