Press release from Wellington International, edited by World of Showjumping

Thanksgiving week wasted no time building momentum as 98 horses jogged for FEI inspection ahead of the start of the ESP Holiday & Horses CSI4* competition at Wellington International. With the lineup set and anticipation high, the stage is set for a fast, competitive, and exciting week in the International Arena.

Thanksgiving Day welcomed a strong start to FEI competition as riders returned to the International Arena for the first major class of the week: the $6,000 CSI4* 1.40m Thursday opener – two phase, sponsored by Bainbridge Companies. The early contest set the tone for an exciting holiday schedule, with Great Britain’s Jake Ward and Dori 66 (Darshan x For Pleasure) rising to the occasion. The pair produced smooth trips across both phases, stopping the timers at 44.17 seconds in phase 1 and 29.7 seconds in phase 2 to claim the first win of the day. 

Momentum continued to build as the next feature stepped into the ring: The $32,000 CSI4* Holiday & Horses 1.45m two phase special, sponsored by LeMieux. The class delivered speed, precision, and international depth, with Egypt’s Nayel Nassar topping the field aboard Dorado de Riverland (Untouchable M x Argentinus), owned by Evergate Stables, LLC. Nassar stopped the clocks in 35.98 seconds in phase 1 and 36.31 seconds in phase 2, a performance that held strong through the remaining entries. Jad Dana (LBN) and Leonidas (Kannan x Contendro I), owned by Burr Associates, LLC, secured second after a lightning-fast 35.99-second opening, followed by 38.56 in the jump-off phase to secure the runner-up position. Just fractions behind, Ansgar Holtgers Jr. piloted Kantibes (Hunter's Scendro x Numero Uno) to third for Gut Einhaus, LLC, recording times of 36.91 and 38.72 seconds across the two segments.