The CHF37,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round 1 helped kick off week 1 of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in the International Arena on Thursday. Ultimately, the duo to beat was Sarah Scheiring (USA) and Margriet de Mariposa over a course set by Nick Granat (USA).
A competitive field of sixty-nine horse-and-rider combinations put forth their best efforts in hopes to jump clear and within the time allowed (70 seconds) over the sixteen-obstacle course and move forward into what proved to be a very exciting jump-off. The first round consisted of a twisty but technically challenging course that left twelve qualifying for the jump-off. After one pair withdrew, eleven faced off.
“For my jump-off I had quite a competitive plan,” she said. “I had planned on the six, which was the leave out from one to two, and it was a lot further away than I anticipated. Luckily, I have a superstar horse. I know that no matter what she’s always going to try her hardest, so I took a shot. It was a fast class; Allison and Jacob really laid it down.”
Scott Stewart strikes again
Hudson, champion of the Antares High-Performance Hunter division with Scott Stewart. Photo © Sportfot
This man requires no introduction in the hunter ring. Scott Stewart and his mount, Hudson, displayed precisely executed rounds to take champion in the Antares High-Performance Hunter division on Thursday as professional hunter competitions wraps during week 1 of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).
Stewart, of Wellington, FL, piloted Hudson, a 2012 Westphalian stallion owned by Dr. Betsee Parker to three winning rounds over fences, collecting scores of 87, 86 and 85.
They have built a strong partnership that was obvious in the competition ring. “Hudson and I have had a couple years together now,” said Stewart. “We did the first years together and the High Performance last year, so I know him pretty well. He’s really brave and quite easy in the ring.
Photo©: Sportfot
Source: Press Release
