Wellington, Fla. – Feb. 16, 2018 – Week Six of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) featured a special edition of “Friday Night Lights” for international show jumping competition held at the Global International Arena in Equestrian Village while hunter horses take over the main grounds of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). The evening highlighted the $132,000 Rushy Marsh Farm Grand Prix CSI3* where Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) and H&M Ikker took to the winner’s podium once again, following Thursday’s victory in the $35,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round VI.
Ana Catalina Cruz-Harris’ (MEX) tight track and the smaller venue proved difficult with only seven riders from the starting field of 43 advancing clear through the first round into the jump-off. Philippaerts and Roger Van Nuffelen’s 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding showcased their speed in the second round, capturing the lead by almost two seconds to mirror yesterday’s sizable lead and finish with a time of 38.858 seconds. The 24-year-old athlete captured his first WEF victory just yesterday in the Challenge Cup and completed the phenomenon by also claiming the week’s main grand prix title.
Argentina’s Gustavo Prato set the jump-off pace aboard Equus Forte LLC’s 12-year-old Zangersheide mare Carna Z with a time of 40.389 seconds, but it could not hold up to Philippaerts’ quick round and the pair finished in second place.
The third place ribbon was awarded to Canada’s Mario Deslauriers and Wishing Well Farm LLC’s Bardolina 2. Deslauriers and the 8-year-old Holsteiner finished with a fast, fault-free time of 41.39 seconds. While the mare is still a newer mount for Deslauriers, they have already found success with a top five finish in the $216,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping New York CSI4*-W at the 2017 American Gold Cup.
Competition will return to the Adequan Global Dressage Festival facility on Saturday, Feb. 17, in the Derby Field with the $10,000 Hermès U25 Welcome beginning at 9:00 a.m. and the $35,000 Hollow Creek 1.50m Classic at 12:00 p.m. WEF Week 6 will highlight the $100,000 WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular on Saturday, Feb. 17, for the week’s “Saturday Night Lights” feature beginning at 6:35 p.m. in the International Arena at PBIEC.
View the original article at Phelps Sports.