Edited press release from Washington International Horse Show
The five-star classes at Washington International Horse Show 2024 (WIHS), presented by MARS Equestrian™ kicked off on Thursday and welcomed riders from around the world to the Show Place Arena.
Abdel Saïd (BEL) and Arpege du Ru (Apache d'Adriers x Quat'sous), owned by AS Trading, took top honors in the CSI5*-W 1.55m $63,000 Welcome Stake presented by ClipMyHorse – counting for the Longines Rankings group C – while the CSI5*-W 1.45m $32,000 Accumulator costume class, presented by Walkenbach Equestrian – counting for the Longines Ranking group D – went to Nina Mallevaey (FRA) and My Clementine (O.b.o.s Quality 004 x Kashmir van Schuttershof), owned by Rein Family LLC and Tara Dow-Rein.
Among the 34 riders competing in the international jumper division at WIHS, there are 13 countries represented and 14 Olympians, including U.S. team silver medalists McLain Ward (USA) and Laura Kraut (USA) from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
In the 1.55m Welcome Stake, course designer Nick Granat (USA) set the tracks for the night’s class and 33 horse-and-rider combinations competed in the opening round. Eleven were clear and continued to the jump-off. Riding sixth in the order over the shortened course, Saïd and Arpege du Ru were following a quick time of 34.01 seconds set by Conor Swail (IRL) and Vital Chance de la Roque (Diamant de Semilly x Rivage du Poncel), owned by Mannon Farm, which held up for third place. They set the time to beat at 31.61 seconds, which couldn’t be caught. Coming closest was Mark Bluman (COL) on Ubiluc (Ubiko x Lucian), owned by Daniel Bluman and Over The Top Stables LLC, in 33.20 seconds for second place.
“Tonight's class was very winding with a lot of turns,” said Saïd. “I thought the turn to the FEI jump I took a lot of risk because I knew that would be easy for her. She's really brave and smart to a vertical. I think one to two was also very fast, and that's where we won it.”
Arpege has been an “extremely competitive” horse for Saïd. In their seven-year partnership, the pair has won five-star grand prix classes and speed classes. “She's just an amazing winner,” he said. “She doesn't give you so much feel over the jump; she's not strong but she's also not light, and her balance is quite low. Her biggest quality is her heart, and she's so smart. She really knows where the jumps are.”
This is Saïd’s first time competing at WIHS, but after making the decision to base a business in the U.S., he has added more shows in North America to his schedule. “Washington is an incredible horse show,” he expressed. “I wanted to try the indoor shows. I've heard so much about them and about their history, so I really wanted to come to Washington.”
The second five-star class of the night offered a different kind of competition, with 27 horse-and-rider combinations in the $32,000 Accumulator costume class. Featuring 11 nations represented in the field, the class upped the ante with athletes collecting points for each fence cleared without penalty and a final “joker” fence that could give them an additional 20 points if cleared, or take away 20 points from their previous score if faulted.
After taking over the top position early into the competition, France’s Nina Mallevaey lived up to her Incredibles costume and ultimately claimed the win with the nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare My Clementine (O.B.O.S Quality 004 x Kashmir van Schuttershof). While Mallevaey was one of 10 riders to complete the course with a perfect score of 65, her blazing fast time across the track in 43.61 seconds proved unbeatable. In addition to the class victory, Mallevaey was presented with the Crown Royal Trophy and My Clementine received the Sue Ann Geisler Memorial Trophy, donated by the Washington International Horse Show.
“She’s simply amazing,” said Mallevaey of her new partner. “I’ve been riding her for six months, and she’s just so smart and fast and careful. She’s just so fun to ride.”
The experience was a first for Mallevaey, who is fully embracing all that WIHS offers, including the fan-favorite costume class and the enthusiasm of Barn Night.
“The costume was actually my groom’s idea, and I think she did a great job,” she said, referencing her and My Clementine’s The Incredibles attire. “I know my horse is quick across the ground and careful, so I wanted to try to win, and she was just awesome.”
The United States’ first president George Washington, otherwise known as McLain Ward (USA), gave chase on Robin Parsky’s 11-year-old Oldenburg mare First Lady (Don Diarado x Lordanos) and left all the jumps standing in 43.76 seconds to the second place and a thrilled crowd. Just over one second off the winning time, Jessica Mendoza (GBR) flew to the final position in the victory gallop on her 11-year-old KWPN mare In The Air (Air Jordan x Indoctro).
With the full field donning their spookiest and silliest costumes, there was no shortage of quality content to choose from for the $3,000 Best Costume Award, presented by Marshall & Sterling. Ultimately the honors went to airline pilot Carly Anthony (USA) and her trusted airplane, also known as the Portfolio Horses LLC’s 13-year-old KWPN gelding Jet Blue (VDL Zirocco Blue x Indoctro).
Caitlin Boatman, who trains with Rick Harris and Karen Zinkhan of Garrison Forest School, was presented with the Laura Pickett Trophy for Excellence in Horsemanship, presented by Vicki Lowell and Charles Ancona, in memory of Laura Pickett, who was a very special equestrian and trainer who lost her fight with breast cancer at just 52 years old after a five-year battle. The award honors the “up-and-coming” adult or child rider and their trainer who best exhibits the enthusiasm, dedication, style, and commitment to excellent horsemanship that brings out the best in horse and rider at the Washington International Regional Horse Show and Zone 3 Finals.
The first annual Kind Wins award was also a part of the night’s festivities, with winners Sue Chambers and Paige Walkenbach earning the honor for their generous and kind behavior towards fellow athletes and equines alike.