WEF Week 1 Winner’s Circle: Your Moment in the Spotlight

From tricolor ribbons to that no-trophy-big-enough feeling you get when you know that you’ve laid down your best round, victory is sweet. Here are a few of our winning Ingragram photos from Week 1 of the Winter Equestrian Festival.

To whom it may concern (@andrewrybackphotography), Although this game has been fun, I enjoyed putting down my phone for several hours to enjoy quality time with my family that I see a rarely see more than twice a year. After finding out I lost the first round, despite the subject getting to show for the first time after severely injuring her back and being unable to ride, and showing all of her happiness and joy to be back in the show ring, I chose to put my phone, respectively, on “do not disturb” so that I could enjoy a fabulous meal with my family. Now that I am back to our hotel, I will now submit my photo for “finding the humor.” During the Parade of Champions, the hunters looked sweet and pony riders hugged their small equine friends. This jumper, however, didn’t think highly of the event where you must behave well and look cute. Instead, he played around and was a bit hard to handle. Despite this, the rider laughed and played along, because, after all, she had just won champion at WEF 1. Riding involves crying, smiling, and laughing, and this picture rolls it all up together.

A photo posted by Irene Powlick Photography (@jumpersthrumylens) on Jan 17, 2016 at 7:46pm PST

Smiles from both sides? WEF 1 is done!! #like4like #bugsymalone #wef1 A photo posted by @giarinaldi_fp on Jan 18, 2016 at 8:33am PST

Off to a good start. #WEFweekone done and done. #wef2016 #louisburgfarm @paulbutterworth @mollyashe

A photo posted by Show Jumping At Its Best (@floydconsultants) on Jan 17, 2016 at 8:01pm PST

Happy day! #welovemolly #missaustralia #forgetmenotfarm #smallpony #wef #bestpony A photo posted by Olivia Golden (@doublegstables) on Jan 10, 2016 at 6:11pm PST

Ally wins Ariat

A photo posted by Alan Korotkin (@castlewood1) on Jan 17, 2016 at 5:38pm PST

❤️? reserve champion with my girl ❤️? A photo posted by Mira Stephens (@mira.stephens) on Jan 17, 2016 at 2:41pm PST

Capping off an incredible start to @esp_wef with a win (among others ☺) in the Maclay aboard Clearway. Great job @emma_kurtz12 @essexclassics Proudly outfitted by Chagrin Saddlery

A photo posted by Chagrin Saddlery (@chagrinsaddlery) on Jan 17, 2016 at 4:43pm PST

the best, at last A photo posted by alexandra (@alexmaracic_) on Jan 17, 2016 at 12:54pm PST

Plain Bay Sales riders, Adam Prudent and Abigail McArdle, both had a great time participating in the Battle Of The Sexes. Congratulations to the girls on winning tonight!

A photo posted by Plain Bay Sales LLC (@plainbaysales) on Jan 16, 2016 at 6:21pm PST

The sun, and smiles, are back out at WEF today! #wef2016 #winterinwellington #sunshine A photo posted by Winter Equestrian Festival (@esp_wef) on Jan 16, 2016 at 9:20am PST

???? peep baldo

A photo posted by Caroline Kahn (@ckahn123) on Jan 16, 2016 at 6:43am PST

Had a great start to WEF so far! Thank you -Style- for being perfect as always ? Thank you to Karen and The Heritage Team for everything✨✨ #wef2016 #style #champion #firstyear #hunters #patsforthepony #equifit #essex #gpa #derdau #grandprixridingapparel #tadcoffin #horsewareireland #TCC #JOTTUSA #exquisiteequestrian #signiturespurs A photo posted by Victoria Colvin (@victoriacolvin) on Jan 15, 2016 at 1:02pm PST

?Bugsy?

A photo posted by Giavanna Rinaldi (@gia_rinaldi) on Jan 15, 2016 at 9:55am PST

First class of WEF for myself and the Castlewood Team, Pomme Du Coeur takes home the blue ribbon in the baby green hunters!! First WEF class ever for this young promising hunter!! #PommeFrawn #mymainginger #Parlanti A photo posted by Samantha Senft (@samantha_senft) on Jan 13, 2016 at 10:12am PST

Mama on top in 15-17 ? #unamused

A photo posted by Haley Zimmerman (@haley_zimmerman) on Jan 16, 2016 at 1:45pm PST

Perfect ending to a magical two weeks. A photo posted by Allie (@allisoncederberg) on Jan 17, 2016 at 5:14pm PST

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Go Jumping.

Editor’s Note: We make every attempt to ensure that correct photographer credit is given. If incorrectly attributed, please let us know at wylie@nationmediallc.com.