Edited Press Release
Nayel Nassar (EGY) snagged a win to start the day on Friday in the $62,500 Bainbridge CSI5* 1.50m aboard Ivory TCS, owned by Evergate Stables, LLC. Ivory TCS, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Falaise de Muze x Ukato) has been in Nassar’s string for about a year and the pair has achieved big milestones already, this win at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) being among their best results.
“They say you don’t really know a horse until you’ve been with them for a year but we actually got to know each other pretty quick,” Nassar commented. “There are always tweaks, little things in her flatwork that we’re trying to improve. She’s pretty low balanced so getting her head up a little more and getting her on her hind legs, which hopefully gives her a little more stride.”
The class was set in a speed format over a Gregory Bodo-designed (FRA) course, and Nassar ended up about half a second faster than second place, which went to Roberto Teran Tafur (COL) and Iron Maiden, owned by Rocking Basilisk Farm, LLC. Third place was awarded to Laura Kraut (USA) and Emeraldo 4, owned by Stars and Stripes.
Nassar currently leads the International Rider Standings, presented by Michael & Wendy Smith, with his consistent results aboard up-and-coming mounts, including Ivory TCS as well as his Grand Prix winner during WEF 1, ESI Ali.
“It’s one of the hardest circuits to be good at all the way through,” Nayel remarked on his consistency thus far. “We’ve been doing this for a few years now so we are trying to get a feel for how to balance the horses’ schedules and our schedules. It’s about picking the right ones for the right weeks. We’re just trying to find that consistency across all levels.”
Nassar still has some secret weapons he has yet to pull out at Wellington International this year, including his Olympic partner Igor van de Wittemoere and CSI5* grand prix winner Coronado.
Before those more seasoned horses get a chance to shine, Nassar will bring ESI Ali into his first CSI5* Grand Prix under the lights Saturday night in the $385,000 Fidelity Investments CSI5* Grand Prix. The 10-year-old jumped his first CSI4* Grand Prix during WEF 3 and has proven to be a horse capable of the top levels.
“It’s a unique opportunity to be able to go into the same ring so often but have the atmosphere change,” he continued. “It’s cool to see him grow into those night classes and feel what real show jumping feels like.”
For full results from the $62,500 Bainbridge CSI5* 1.50m, click HERE.
