Edited Press Release
October 26, 2024 – Upper Marlboro, MD – Saturday at the Washington International Horse Show, the top 10 highest-ranked riders in the WIHS Equitation Finals returned in reverse order of rank on mounts that they swapped onto for the final “work-off.” While the standings saw a shake up, upcoming young rider Adriana Forte’s brilliant performances across the three phases held strong and secured her the winning title with Candescent.
In her first time competing at WIHS, Forte dominated from the start after taking the early lead in the hunter phase on Friday with a dominating score of 92. Putting in another positive performance in Friday’s opening round, the jumper phase, Forte earned eighth place but still sat in the lead with Heather Macinnis’ Warmblood gelding going into the final callback.
For the final phase, only the top 10 out of the original 40 qualified combinations were asked to return. Riders were presented with the same jumper track but were made to switch horses and only afforded three minutes to familiarize themselves on their new mount and warm up.
Mounted on Paige Walkenbach’s Let’s Go, Forte entered in the pinnacle position in hopes of earning her first WIHS Equitation Finals win. Despite incurring an unfortunate rail, Forte’s consistent efforts paid off and the anticipation built until she was officially announced as the 2024 WIHS Equitation Finals winner.
“Last year at Medal Finals in 2023 was actually my first Medal Finals, and I was very nervous,” said the 17-year-old from Water Mill, NY, who rides with First Blue LLC and Andre Dignelli’s Heritage Farm. “Everything happens for a reason though, and Andre noticed me from that. Once I started with Andre, I started riding a bunch of different horses which has helped. Andre always told me that the goal was to be as consistent as possible and if I could do that, there was a definite chance I could win.”
“My first WEF was only three years ago,” she admitted. “I have never even done a ride-off on a different horse before today, so it was definitely a bit nerve wracking. I just knew that as long as I put in the best rounds that I could, hopefully it would be enough to put me in a good spot, and I’m very happy.”
After winning the jumper phase earlier in the day aboard the Sea Horse Investment’s 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Oki D’Eclipse (Catoki), Taylor Cawley of Wellington, FL, ultimately jumped into second place with a solid round in the final work-off.
“I was coming up through the ranks as a bit of an underdog today, which I like to do because I have nothing to lose,” stated Cawley, who started off the day in 12th place. “Being able to move up into the top 10 and be able to switch onto an amazing horse and lay down the best round I could was really special.”
Cawley, who rides with Beacon Hill Show Stables and is the daughter of international jumper rider Molly Ashe Cawley, explained that one of her biggest joys has been bringing along ‘Oki’s’ equitation career herself.
“I did the equitation a bit before I got him, but he has been my first superstar of an equitation horse,” she expressed. “We have worked so hard to get him to where he is now, and I’ve been the only one to show him in the equitation. He’s risen to every occasion, and he’s always ready to tackle the next battle.”
Christian Dominguez of Barrington, RI, rounded out the top three with his 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Iwan (Quasimodo vd Molendreef). As a true testament to the ups and downs of the sport, Dominguez sat in 22nd place following the first hunter phase. An impressive fourth place finish in the jumper phase launched Dominguez into the top 10 overall and a brilliant work-off ride ultimately became good enough for third.
“I was fortunate enough to ride a horse this evening that I’d previously competed, so that was super special, and he gave it his all as well,” he stated.
While Dominguez credited his work-off mount (Schuyler Dayner’s mount Talk) with his move up, he gave partner Iwan all of the credit for getting him here.
“I feel so privileged because I’ve had him for four years, and he’s truly never put a foot out of place,” he stated. “I can always trust him, and I feel like I have such a deep connection with him because of how many rounds we’ve had together in the ring.”
For the successful endeavor of guiding Forte to the win, Andre Dignelli was awarded the Leading Equitation Trainer Award. The Hollow Brook Wealth Management Sportsmanship Award was presented by Blake Rowan.
