Press release from Wellington International

Nations Cup week at WEF continued on Friday with the $32,000 Dodd Technologies CSIO4* 1.45m. Thirty-eight riders took to the speed track with young Irishman and U25 star, Tom Wachman, taking the win aboard Cathalina S (Salt N Pepa S x Sandro), owned by Coolmore Showjumping. The pair rode to a time of 58.37 seconds for the win. 

Going later in the order, Wachman just caught the time-to-beat of 58.49 seconds, set by runner-up Jad Dana (LBN), and Fleur-De-Lis’ Cherie (Clarimo x Lancer II), owned by The Cherie Group. 

“I think I was the only one in the class to do five to the double of verticals,” said Wachman, 19. “She [Cathalina S] has a huge stride and that's one of the big things for her, it's how she can be very quick in the speed classes. I think that's where I probably won.

“I started riding her here in Wellington last January,” said Wachman of the 15-year-old mare. “She won a 1.50m class in Ocala two weeks ago, and she nearly won the WEF yesterday; she's super.

Cathalina S carried Wachman to team gold and individual silver at the FEI Youth European Show Jumping Championships in 2023.

Wachman will be the reserve rider for Team Ireland in the CSIO4* Nations Cup, presented by Florida Coast Equipment, this week. “I'm delighted to be the fifth rider here for the team, it's a great experience to jump these classes,” explained Wachman. “It's a great experience just to be around the good Irish lads here and learn a lot from them.”

Following Wachman and Dana on the podium was Karima Perez Nunez (MEX) and her own Felicie De Coquerie (Ivresse De Coquerie x Quiniou). The pair took third in 58.99 seconds. 

As for Wachman, he will return to the arena, representing Ireland in Sunday’s $200,000 JTWG CSIO4* Grand Prix, atop his mount Berlux Z.