Caitlin Boyle & Navaar, winners of the $62,500 Helgstrand Jewellery CSI2* Grand Prix. Photo © Sportfot.
Press release from Wellington International
The peak of the week’s two-star action at Wellington International took place on Saturday afternoon with the $62,500 Helgstrand Jewellery CSI2* Grand Prix. Forty-five riders qualified from earlier in the week took to the Alan Wade (IRL) designed track to claim the top two-star title, with Caitlin Boyle (USA) and Navaar (Tonixe x Deauville van T&L), owned by Beyaert Farm Inc, taking it home.
Boyle rode double clear and quick across both courses, besting the field of 12 who returned for the jump-off. With a winning time of 36.95 seconds, the top pair knocked two seconds off the time to beat of 38.79 seconds set by runner up, Philip McGuane (IRL) and Linguini De La Pomme (Marius Cladius x Tinka’s Boy), owned by Evergate Stables.
“Navaar is such a talented horse, he's not just fast, but also very game. He's always looking to do the right thing,” said Boyle of the 11-year-old gelding. “Our partnership is a little bit new, I've been riding him since November. I'm also new to the international level of competition, I'd say this is only my fifth FEI week.”
Quickly making her mark at WEF and in the FEI placings, Boyle not only won Saturday’s grand prix, but also took Navaar to the top in Wednesday’s 2* 1.40m. Boyle began her winter season in Sarasota, FL, building up her FEI points in preparation for her international level debut at WEF.
Caitlin Boyle & Navaar are presented as winners of the $62,500 Helgstrand Jewellery CSI2* Grand Prix by Marianne Mølgaard, Area Sales Manager, Helgstrand Jewellery. Photo © Sportfot.
“It's special to show here as a newbie, and to come out with a win is pretty awesome,” said Boyle, 27. “It was a great experience to get in there and it was lovely to be able to do both my horses in the qualifying round and in the grand prix. It's more experience for me and more time in the ring for them.”
Closing out the two-star podium was Wilton Porter (USA) and Sternmarke 3 (Stakkato x Escudo I), owned by Sleepy P Ranch BV. The pair jumped double-clear, finishing the short course in a time of 39.69 seconds.
In addition to winning the blue, Navaar was also honored with the Champion Equine Insurance Jumper Style Award, presented by Laura Fetterman.
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