The Irish luck is holding strong in Wellington, regardless of the weather. Michael Duffy secured his second victory of the week at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), braving the rain to take the top spot in the CSI4 $32,000 Defiant Whisky Speed* class.
Riding the promising 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Mr. Cornike, Duffy proved that pace and precision are a winning combination. This victory follows his success on Thursday, where he claimed the CSI4* $6,000 Bainbridge Companies Two Phase aboard Cantano 32.
A Race Against the Clock
The 1.50m speed course saw a competitive field of 39 entries, with 15 combinations managing to keep all the poles in the cups. In a class where every fraction of a second counted, Duffy’s round was just enough to edge out the competition.
American rider Paris Sellon took the runner-up position, delivering a stellar performance with the 10-year-old Zangersheide mare Calida z. Rounding out the podium was Egypt’s Nayel Nassar, who piloted the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Orphea hq into a close third place.
Madison Myro and Titaness P Vd Donkhoeve win Lövsta Future Challenge
The young horses took the centerstage on Friday. In the Lövsta Future Challenge USA's Madison Myro jumped to victory aboard Belgian-bred Titaness P Vd Donkhoeve (Pegase van 't Ruytershof x Malito de Rêve).
"We purchased her as a 6-year-old and I had the opportunity to ride her al along the season as a 6-year-old." Madison says. "My goal was to be clear and after just to go for it. I really believe in the Youngster classes. It is a great program to develop a bond with the young horses and it gives the horses a chance the develop."
