Wellington, Fla. – Dec. 2, 2017 – FEI competition returned to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, drawing a crowd for the CSI4* where 43 athletes set out to challenge Olympic course designer, Guilherme Jorge’s (BRA) track and a different competition format in the $216,000 Holiday & Horses FEI CSI4* Grand Prix. Fourteen horse-and-rider combinations successfully navigated the course fault-free, but under the FEI two-round format only the fastest eleven would advance to the second round in reverse order.
Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili
Consistently quick, Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili, owned by Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC, stayed true to form and galloped to the quickest first round time, allowing them to return last in the second round. Vanderveen and “Frosty,” the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion, dazzled the crowd to again steal the fastest time in 45.53 seconds and claim the night’s big win. The altered format seemed to work in favor of the pair as their fast first round allowed them to watch all riders return and know the time to beat. Their partnership has continuously grown as they claimed endless wins at the Tryon International Equestrian Center throughout the year and recently won the $50,000 FEI 1.50m Las Vegas National Welcome Jumper Speed Classic CSI4*-W.
Margie Engle and Royce
Margie Engle and Gladewinds Partners, LLC’s 13-year-old stallion Royce brought the crowd to their feet as the pair flew to the finish in 46.47 seconds to claim a brief lead before Vanderveen ultimately claimed the title. Engle was also awarded the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider award.
Beat Mändli and Dsarie
Third place was awarded to Beat Mändli aboard Grant Road Partners GMBH’s Dsarie with a finish time of 49.63 seconds. Mändli sits near the top of the Longines FEI World Cup™ after he rode the 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare to claim the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Washington President’s Cup and finish third in the $250,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Lexington CSI4*-W.
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