On the opening day of the third week of competition at the 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), Todd Minikus (USA) rode Wyndmont's Zephyr to victory in the $35,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m speed class at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL.

WEF three, sponsored by Adequan®, features CSI 3* competition on January 25-29, 2017. Highlights include Thursday's $35,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 3, Saturday's $130,000 Adequan® Grand Prix CSI 3*, and Sunday's Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. All three classes can be seen on the live stream HERE. The 12-week WEF circuit continues through April 2, 2017, awarding over $9 million in prize money.

Belgium's Luc Musette is the course designer in the International Arena at PBIEC for week three's competition. Musette began his week with 46 entries in the 1.45m speed class and 11 clear rounds.

Richie Moloney (IRL) took an early lead, fifth to go with Equinimity LLC's Alsvid in 65.16 seconds, but eventually finished second. Samuel Parot (CHI) also jumped early, clocking a time of 65.34 seconds riding JK Horsetrucks Chantilly, and settled for third place in the end. Luis Larrazabal (VEN) and San Francisco Stables' G&C Close Up jumped a clear round in 65.70 seconds to place fourth. Last to go, Minikus bested them all riding Zephyr, crossing the timers in 63.95 seconds.

"He has been going quite well," Minikus said of the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Landor S x Calvados). "This is the third or fourth show that I have ridden him in, and he has been very competitive. A couple of times Valinski beat him, but he was right in there."

Though he did not get a chance to walk the course Wednesday morning, Minikus had Wyndmont's Ronnie Beard watching for advice. "Ronnie told me that there were only eight clear and we did not have to pull out all of the stops, so I think he was trying to tell me not to go too crazy!" Minikus laughed. "Once I found a nice pace to number one, I just stayed on that rhythm, and he was great. We changed bridles today, and I liked the way I could slow down after pushing him. It was a nice round, and as always, if you are able to win a class here in Wellington it is always a good win because there are so many competitive horses and riders."

Also competing in the International Arena on Wednesday, the $6,000 Illustrated Properties FEI 1.40m speed class saw a win for Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) aboard Francesca Damasceno's Chaco 34. The day concluded with the national $6,000 Illustrated Properties 1.40m speed class and victory for Ronan McGuigan (IRL) riding Capall Zidane.

The 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival continues on Thursday featuring the $35,000 Ruby Et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 3. For full results and more information, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

1. ZEPHYR: 2004 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Landor S x Calvados

TODD MINIKUS (USA), Wyndmont: 0/63.95

2. ALSVID: 2001 Hanoverian gelding by Escudo I x Azur

RICHARD MOLONEY (IRL), Equinimity LLC: 0/65.16

3. JK HORSETRUCKS CHANTILLY: 2006 Belgian Warmblood mare by Calvaro x Lys de Darmen

SAMUEL PAROT (CHI), Samuel Parot: 0/65.34

4. G&C CLOSE UP: 2007 KWPN gelding by Eurocommerce Washington x Cobra

LUIS LARRAZABAL (VEN), San Francisco Stables LLC: 0/65.70

5. DONNA SPECIALE: 2008 KWPN mare by Cavalier x Concorde

LESLIE HOWARD (USA), Laure Sudreau: 0/66.37

6. QUOINTREAU UN PRINCE: 2004 Selle Francais gelding by Diamant de Semilly x Rosire

LAURA CHAPOT (USA), Laura Chapot & McLain Ward: 0/66.43

7. CHESNEY: 2007 KWPN gelding y Indoctro x Kannan

TIFFANY FOSTER (CAN), Artisan Farms LLC: 0/66.53

8. JULIO VH ELZENHOUT: 2009 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Echo van het Neerenbosch x Skippy II

MCLAIN WARD (USA), Blue Chip Bloodstock: 0/70.47

9. CONSTABLE II: 2007 KWPN gelding by Harley VDL x Lupicor

LAURA KRAUT (USA), Cherry Knoll Farm: 0/71.21

10. DAY DREAM: 2008 KWPN gelding by Zento x Heartbreaker

JIMMY TORANO (USA), Jimmy and Danielle Torano & Isalou Inc: 0/73.11

11. QUABELLE: 2004 Selle Francais mare by Helrios de la Cour II x Kannan

BLYTHE MARANO (USA), Riverview Farm LLC: 0/73.61

12. LADY MARIA BH: 2006 Holsteiner mare by Cartani x Corrado I

AMANDA DERBYSHIRE (GBR), Gochman Sport Horses: 4/65.76