ESP November kicked off on an exciting note with the $10,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Open Stake in the International Ring. Designed by Jasen Shelley (USA), the course hosted 18 horse-and-rider pairs, with 10 successfully moving on to the immediate jump-off. Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) and Quick Chick 3, owned by Victoria Heurtematte, captured the win with an impressive time of 33.83 seconds. Marie Hecart (FRA) and Vahinee, owned by Normandie Connection, claimed second place with a close time of 34.906 seconds. Alannah Wagstaff (USA) rounded out the top three, finishing aboard Great Thing, owned by Mill Pond Farm, Inc., with a time of 35.932 seconds.
Following the feature jumping class, the hunters showcased their skills in the $1,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, sponsored by Pilates Rocks. Marcus Au (USA) and Wishful, owned by Quail Run Partnerships, earned the top score of 171 to take first place. Jenna George (USA) and her own entry, Chaperone, secured second with a score of 163, and Meredith Gallagher (USA) earned third place aboard Annette Friend’s MTM Aztek, with a score of 158.
On Saturday morning, James Billington (GBR) triumphed in the $5,000 Zen Elite Equestrian Center 1.35m Stake. Billington and his mount, Cinderella 770, owned by Mia Mannis, delivered a blazing fast round of 32.799 seconds to clinch the win. Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) took home his second top placing of the week aboard Check Me Out, owned by Victoria Heurtematte, with a time of 33.772 seconds in the jump-off while Abigail McArdle and I&H Boogy Woogy, owned by Samuel Parot, rounded out the podium with a clear 34.993 second time.
The week’s competition wrapped up with the $20,000 Palm Beach Equine Clinic Grand Prix in the International Ring. As the final contenders in the jump-off, Marie Hecart (FRA) and Vahinee, owned by Normandie Connection, claimed the victory with a swift time of 37.972 seconds. Adding to her success, Hecart also earned fourth place aboard her second ride, Edonna D’Udine, another Normandie Connection mount.
Pablo Barrios (USA) and his own entry, Japaloupe, delivered a strong performance with a clear round in 38.17 seconds, earning second place. Gonzalo Busca Roca (ESP) and Cristiano Obolensky, co-owned by Stransky’s Mission Farms Inc. & Kalansky Stables LLC., secured third with a clear time of 39.11 seconds.
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To view full results from ESP November, click here. To view full champion results from ESP November, click here.
