Wellington, FL – December 23, 2022 – The $25,000 ProElite National Grand Prix took place on Friday, December 23, the final day of the ESP New Year’s Show at Wellington International. A competitive field of 18 horse-and-rider combinations stepped into the International Arena, but it was ultimately Brazil’s Celso Ariani who emerged at the top of the leaderboard with Ricardo Romero’s Janari Ter Dolen.  

“She [Janari Ter Dolen] is an amazing horse who has already brought me a few victories,” commented Ariani. “I’ve had her for about four years, and she has always been very competitive. We’re lucky to have her on our team. She has done a few FEI classes, including a couple four-star Grand Prix classes, and has won several National Grand Prix classes.” 

Course designer Jasen Shelley crafted two rounds of jumps that tested the field of international riders. After the initial phase of competition, the field was reduced to just four combinations who were able to successfully clear the first round. In the jump-off, Ariani was the second rider to test the track and shaved nearly five seconds off the pathfinder’s track, taking the lead with Janari Ter Dolen in a quick 39.645 seconds.  

“Both of the courses were really nice. The first round was built big enough that there weren’t too many clear. The jump-off fit my horse really well because she can gallop and turn very quickly, so I was lucky today,” Ariani continued, saying, “Since there were only four of us in the jump-off, I just went for it. The plan was to go fast, and turn quick, this horse is very competitive and hungry to win.” 

Pathfinders Filip De Wandel (BEL) and Manhattan Van’t Leeuweriikenhof, owned by Five Way Farm LLC, finished in second place with a clear jump-off time of 44.928 seconds. Wandel also claimed the final podium placing with Five Way Farm’s Nanking VD Donkhoeve as the final pair to put in a double-clear performance with a jump-off time of 49.395 seconds.  

Click above to watch the winning jump-off ride!

For the full results of the $25,000 ProElite National Grand Prix, please click HERE.  

Wednesday kicked off with the $10,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Open Jumper Stake. Twenty-two competitors faced the track, which was held in an immediate jump-off format. Designed by Jasen Shelley (USA), the course consisted of twelve obstacles, followed by a six-obstacle jump-off. Taking the win was Sarah Hubbard (USA) and Latino Van De Looise Heide, owned by Hubbard Horses, LLC, with a double-clear performance and jump-off time of 33.291 seconds. Following close behind Hubbard was Alannah Wagstaff (USA) and Great Thing, owned by Mill Pond Farm, Inc, with a clear jump-off time of 33.78 seconds. Completing the podium was Catherine Pasmore (USA) and Cinnamo, owned by Pasmore Show Stables BV, with a clear jump-off time of 33.819 seconds.  

Competition continued Thursday with the $5,000 Advanced Vet Dermatology 1.35m Open Jumper Stake. Thirty-two riders rode the course, which consisted of a twelve-obstacle first round and was followed by a six-obstacle jump-off. Taking home the win was Alberto Michan (ISR) and Kabuki, owned by Maeve O’Connor, with a double-clear performance and jump-off time of 31.724 seconds. Following close behind was Jonathan Corrigan (IRL) and Super Chilled, owned by Debra Wycoff, with a clear jump-off time of 31.881 seconds. Receiving third was Katherine Benard (USA) and her own Concuela, with a jump-off time of 32.606 seconds.  

Friday’s competition began with the $2,500 NAL Medium Junior/Amateur Jumper Stake presented by Palm Beach Equine Clinic. Eight pairs competed in the first round, which featured twelve obstacles. As the only pair to place two clear rounds, Tessa P. Brown (USA) and Mystique VH Kijkvrerdriet, owned by Equipearl, LLC, claimed the top spot with a jump-off time of 29.261 seconds. Taking the red ribbon was Tony Stormanns (GER) and Servus Z, owned by HS Sportpferde GMBH, with a four-fault jump-off score and time of 29.301 seconds. Rounding out the top three was Lacy Morrone (USA) and Cascado 15, owned by Equi-Sport, LLC, with just one time fault in the first round after stopping the clock at 84.097 seconds.  

Immediately following was the $2,500 High Junior/Amateur Jumper Stake presented By Arthramid®Vet. Five pairs tested the first round, which was set in the same pattern as the class prior. Topping the leaderboard was Cristobal Collado (MEX) and Ditarca Oh Z, owned by E2 Stables, with the only double-clear round and jump-off time of 37.914 seconds. Taking second with a four-fault first round was Tony Stormanns (GER) and Dia Nova, owned by HS Sportpferde GMBH with a first-round time of 78.221 seconds. Taking the yellow ribbon was Rogelio Pellerano (DOM) and Eperon Landais, owned by Pellerano Horses, LLC, with a four-fault first round and a time of 80.418 seconds.  

Friday’s classes concluded the ESP New Year’s Show. Competition will resume after the holiday weekend with the final event of the 2022 ESP Holiday Series presented by Arthramid®Vet. The ESP Holiday Finale will begin on Wednesday, December 28, and ends on Saturday, December 31.  The show is the last show before the 2023 Winter Equestrian Festival gets underway!

To view the prize list for the 2022 ESP Holiday Series presented by Arthramid®Vet, please click HERE.   

This press release content is published by ©Equestrian Sport Productions. This press release may only be repurposed by media outlets if appropriate credit is given in writing to the original publisher.   

Photo credit ©ESP and ©Sportfot. These photos may only be used once in relation to this press release with proper credit.