Weekend in Wellington! So many choices…
Check out the top billing equestrian events in Wellington this weekend.
Hunters at their best – Winter Equestrian Festival – Wellington International
This week at the Winter Equestrian Festival is commonly known as Hunter Week. Hunter classes are unique to North American horse shows. For the rest of the showing world, the concept is a foreign one.
Tonight the Saturday Night Lights’ class sees the highest quality of Hunters take center stage for the $150,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular. The International ring changes from a highly-charged and brightly-colored show jumping set to a calming, classical, earthy setting featuring fences made from components to simulate the countryside.
There are an abundance of leading Hunter riders and horses competing tonight – not least defending Champion Nick Haness, in town from the west coast and riding Queen Celeste. Emily Williams and Damas de Tannerre will also be a combination to watch, having already won the $25,000 USHJA 2* International Hunter Derby in WEF Week three. And going last in tonight’s field will be the renowned Hunter pairing Lafitte De Muze and Amanda Steege. (See below for the full story on this legendary gelding.) The class starts at 6.30pm. Parking is $22 at Wellington International showgrounds or free for a park and ride from Equestrian Village. Entry for spectators is free.
https://wellingtoninternational.com/visitors/saturday-night-lights/
Hunters 101
According to the United States Hunter Jumper Association [USHJA] ‘Modern hunter classes were designed to test the qualities and attributes of a successful hunt horse. These classes are subjectively judged based on the horse’s performance over fences as well as its quality of movement under saddle on the flat. Show hunters should possess good style over the jumps, consistent pace throughout the course, as well as quiet manners. Hunter rounds should appear smooth and effortless to the spectator with the horse and rider working together to make the course flow from one jump to the next. Hunter courses typically consist of eight to 10 jumps that are more organic in form and generally lower in height than fences used in jumper classes.’
Show Jumping – Winter Equestrian Festival – Equestrian Village
Sunday morning sees more high stakes show jumping with the $140,000 FEI 3* Grand Prix on the Derby field at Equestrian Village – home also to the Global Dressage Festival. Leading international riders competing include Britain’s Ben Maher currently ranked 3rd worldwide, Israel’s Daniel Bluman, ranked 25th, Canada’s Erynn Ballard, ranked 28 and Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts currently 29th.
