Press release from World Equestrian Center
Three-star competition kicked off early this morning in the WEC Grand Arena, with the $31,500 1.45m Speed CSI3* event highlighting the day. Twenty-six elite horse-and-rider pairs competed over a challenging speed track designed by FEI Level IV course designer Guilherme Jorge (BRA). Rodrigo Lambre (BRA) emerged victorious, delivering a lightning-fast round on Ilan Ferder’s J’adore Van Het Klinkhof (Thunder Vd Zuuthoeve x Alcatraz).
The course, featuring three double combinations and broken lines, proved quite challenging, with only seven competitors managing to complete it fault-free.
Lambre, entering the class mid-order, aimed for a smooth round with the speedy 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare. “Today, I wasn’t planning on going too fast or going for the win, but she’s such a naturally fast horse, we had the time,” he shared. “I wanted to get her in a good position to head into the rest of the week.”
Ultimately, J’adore Van Het Klinkhof’s quick footspeed secured the win with a time of 67.31 seconds with Lambre in the irons.
Lambre praised Jorge for his technical course, which led to numerous rails down throughout the track. “That’s Guilherme’s specialty. He builds amazing tracks where you can have a rail down anywhere, but the track always rides great, and you always walk away learning something new,” Lambre commented.
Lambre expressed his excitement about riding the talented mare again, saying, “She is a horse I own with Ilan Ferder. We’ve had her for about four years. I did a few five-star grands prix and Nations Cup™ events with her, then my brother [Santiago Lambre] rode her last year. This year, I got her back, and I am having a lot of fun.”
Close behind Lambre was Luis Sabino Goncalves (POR) aboard Sigma Stables LLC’s Scoop De Septon Z (Hunters Scendro x Echo Van T Spieveld), a 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding, with a time of 68.28 seconds.
Aaron Vale (USA) completed the top three riding Thinkslikeahorse’s 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding Obi Wan (Centadel x Continue), finishing in 70.08 seconds.