Andrew Welles rode Brindis Bogibo, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, to best a field of 67 and win the $37,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.45m Classic CSI2* to close out the day in the International Arena at WEF.
Andrew Welles and Brindis Bogibo. Photo © Sportfot
Speed and strategy were in tall order as Welles guided his mount through a 13-horse jump-off to stop the timers at 36.58 seconds for owner Itasca Group LLC.
“This was my horse’s first week competing this year, and I wanted to make it a point to improve on jump-offs coming into the season,” said Welles. “My plan was to give it our best shot. He was really in tune with the course today and I give him a lot of credit, he felt great out there. Especially in the jump-off, he was fully engaged going from jumps two to three where I left out a stride and his focus continued throughout the rest of the course.
“He is actually a horse that has been in our lives for four and a half years,” continued Welles. “But he was recently sold and then, thanks to the Razbeck and Hogan families, we were able to buy him back for me to ride. It’s been really special to have him back in our lives.”
With a string of six mainly younger horses Welles feels having Brindis Bogibo as a top grand prix horse takes the pressure off the young horses and keeps the whole team relevant at the higher levels.
Andrew Welles and Brindis Bogibo in their winning presentation with Olga Hartsock and Vice President of Development Tim Luby of CaptiveOne Advisors, and ringmaster Steve Rector. Photo © Sportfot
In regards to the newly improved footing, Welles congratulated the whole WEF team for making it happen and stepping up to the plate for the horse and riders. “The footing feels great, and the horses are jumping really well.”
Ireland’s Capt. Brian Cournane finished the runner-up riding Penelope Cruz to a double-clear performance in 37.71 seconds. Tomas Yofre (ARG) took third aboard Dasino in 37.95 seconds for owner Peacock Ridge LLC, and Bliss Heers (USA) finishing fourth on Cayani SN in 38.04 seconds for owner Team Philippaerts. Schuyler Riley (USA) capped the top five riding Iceman de Muze, owned by E2 Show Jumpers, in 38.76 seconds.
Final Results: $37,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.45m Classic CSI2*
1 BRINDIS BOGIBO: 2006 KWPN gelding by Grand Pilot I x Pacific
ANDREW WELLES (USA), Itasca Group LLC: 0/0/36.58
2 PENELOPE CRUZ: 2008 Irish Sport Horse mare by Ustinov x Peter Pan
CAPT. BRIAN COURNANE (IRL), Capt. Brian Cournane: 0/0/37.71
3 DASINO: 2009 SBS gelding by Casino x Gladstone
TOMAS YOFRE (ARG), Peacock Ridge LLC: 0/0/37.95
4 CAYANI SN: 2010 SWB gelding by Cayado 3 x Voltaire
BLISS HEERS (USA), Team Philippaerts: 0/0/38.04
5 ICEMAN DE MUZE: 2008 BWP stallion by Erco van’t Roosakker x For Pleasure
SCHUYLER RILEY (USA), E2 Show Jumpers: 0/0/38.76
6 DON’S DIAMANT: 2008 KWPN stallion by Diamant de Semilly x Phin Phin
NATALIE DEAN (USA), Marigold Sporthorses, LLC: 0/0/38.77
7 UKULMAN DE LA NUTRIA: 2008 Selle Français gelding by Quick Star
CELSO ARIANI (BRA), Ricardo Romero Garcia: 0/0/38.88
8 VAGABON DE LA VALLEE: 2009 Selle Français gelding by Zandor Z x Rosire
CHRIS EWANOUSKI (USA), Cavalli Reale Stables LLC & Chris Ewanouski: 0/0/39.78
9 J-BOSTON S.E.: 2009 BWP gelding by Boris van het Kluizebos
SYDNEY SHULMAN (ISR), Jill & Sydney Shulman: 0/0/42.74
10 CHS KROOZE: 2010 Irish Sport Horse mare by Kroongraaf
DANIEL COYLE (IRL), Daniel Coyle: 0/4/35.25
11 CADANS Z: 2009 Zangersheide mare by Carosso VDL x Navarone
ADRIENNE STERNLICHT (USA), Starlight Farms 1, LLC: 0/4/36.39
12 JEWEL LVP: 2009 BWP mare by Berlin x Contender
ERYNN BALLARD (CAN), Makim Holdings Inc.: 0/4/38.14