Press release from Wellington International

Belgium’s Emilie Conter and her quick-footed stallion, Clochard, raced against the clock on Thursday morning during WEF 5 in the international Arena to win the CSI2* CHF6,000 Griffis Residential 1.45m. An exciting speed round designed by Frank Rothenberger (GER) proved to be difficult and left only seven pairs penalty free from a field of twenty-six horses and riders.

While Jad Dana (LBN) had two horses jump clear and fast early on to set the pace, Conter could not be caught with Clochard, a 2008 SBS (Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Cascadeur) stallion owned by Stephex Stables, clocking in at 58.78 seconds. Coming in second was Victoria Heurtematte (PAN) aboard Scarlett Du Sart Z with a time of 61.50 seconds, and third went to Amy Millar (CAN) with GCS Athena finishing in a time of 62.08 seconds.

Conter was thrilled with her small stallion’s massive effort, stating, “from the beginning I tried to start with his rhythm; because he’s my speed horse he knows what to do and when to go. I just tried to keep one speed all along. In one line, I did one less stride which was not my plan, but he’s such a good boy and he tries so hard. I thought he was really good today.”

Conter’s winning round surely didn’t look like it was all luck, but rather years of dedication and a strong relationship built over a long period of time.

“I have had him for four years now, so quite a long time,” she explained. “It’s actually a funny story, I had him when he was seven and then we sent him here to be sold and Carly Anthony rode him for a long time. Then I showed him here and since then we have been a great team together. We decided he couldn’t be sold, instead he was going to be with me.”