Week four of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) kicked off on Wednesday morning with a win for Richie Moloney (IRL) and Equinimity LLC's Alsvid in the $35,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m Jumper Classic.

Guilherme Jorge (BRA) is the international course designer for week four competition at PBIEC. Jorge set the opening speed track for the $35,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m with 59 entries and 22 clear rounds. Thirty-eighth in the order, Richie Moloney and Alsvid clocked the winning time of 60.07 seconds.

Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run's Eternal finished second in 60.24 seconds. Shane Sweenam and Spy Coast Farm LLC's Cyklon 1083 placed third in 60.88 seconds, and Eric Lamaze (CAN) guided Artisan Farms LLC's Melody des Hayettes Z to fourth place honors in a time of 61.78.

Moloney and Alsvid, a 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Escudo I x Azur), had an incredible 2015 season and the rider was happy to get off to a good start with a win early in 2016.

"From this last summer onwards he has been really good," Moloney noted. "This is his sixth FEI class to win since June, so he has been great, and he is 15 now. He is definitely in his prime and he is very good at that (1.45m) level. He is quick without having to try too hard."

Moloney detailed his winning round, stating, "From jumps one to two I decided to go around, but I did the same strides other people were doing coming inside. Then I left out a stride to number three, which probably helped. I think it was even the rest of the way; I just kept going forward. It was smooth after that, and lucky enough, we got the win."

"I am very happy with this win," the rider continued. "My horses are going well. Carrabis Z has been placed in the grand prix the last two weeks, so I am very happy with how he is going. It has been a good start to the season."

Alsvid will continue to jump the 1.45m speed classes throughout the winter circuit, where Moloney hopes he can get more wins like today.

Also competing in the International Ring on Wednesday, the $6,000 1.40m speed, sponsored by Illustrated Properties, was held in a California split with 170 entries in total. Richard Spooner and Legacy Stables LLC's Tuxedo took home the win in Section A with the fastest of 39 clear rounds. Peter Wylde and Kathleen Kamine's Royal Flush topped Section B.

The fourth week of competition at the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival continues on Thursday with the $35,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 4 featured in the International Ring. In the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring, the Equine Tack & Nutritionals First Year Green Working Hunters will award championship honors for week four. For more information and full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Source: Press release from Equestrian Sport Production News // Picture © Sportfot