Edited Press Release
Having completed and passed the FEI jog early on Friday morning, 39 horse-and-rider combinations readied themselves to take on the track built by Bernardo Cabral (POR) in the afternoon’s $32,000 The Estates at TerraNova CSI2* Welcome Speed track. Spectators were treated to a special treat in the pavilion at the official welcome party which offered beverages and delicious bites courtesy of the venue’s new head chef. With a stacked field, the competition was hot, and the thrill of the win ultimately went to the speedy combination of Paul O’Shea (IRL) and Hellcat at the class’s completion.
“She really knows her job now so we barely jump her at home,” he said of Team Eye Candy’s 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Cassander van het Bremhof x Conan). “We really do very little homework at home; it’s mostly about keeping her happy and making a good plan. Today, Mia was really fast. I did one stride less to the double combination than her and maybe we got it there, but we were very close and it really could’ve gone either way.”
The win marks a victorious return to the venue for O’Shea, who first came to the facility in 2024 and found success.
“We’re delighted to be here again,” he stated. “We were here twice last year with Hellcat and it went great for her. There are just so many good riders here that it’s a very good place to get experience for a horse and rider. The grounds are fantastic, it’s great to have the space, and the courses are lovely.”
Holding the lead for almost the entirety of the class, young rider Mia Bagnato (USA) put forward a foot-fast round on her own 12-year-old Holsteiner mare, Florida N (Clarimo x Laval II) in a time of 58.79 seconds and took home the second place prize following O’Shea’s completion. Olympian Laura Kraut (USA) piloted newer mount Lady D, the Cherry Knoll Farm, Inc.’s nine-year-old KWPN mare (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Indoctro) into the final podium slot with a clean and efficient time of 59.34 seconds.
