WEF Wins To Start the Season
Chloe Welsh and Blue Label
The Skyland Farm team began the 2024 show season with great performances on the Winter Equestrian Festival pre-circuit and during WEF 1, 2 and 3 in Wellington, Florida.
The team started during the Holiday III Horse Show, December 19-23, with excellent ribbons. Eleanor Green and Jus D’O made their presence known in the Equitation 12-14 section, while she also took fourth in the Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3” Medal class.
Chloe Welsh and Blue Label enjoyed three red ribbons in the Children’s Large Pony section with super rounds over fences during their Florida debut.
Eleanor Green and Jus D’O
During the following week’s Holiday Finale, once again Blue Label and Chloe continued their consistency but this time with even greater rewards. They won three over fences classes and took second under saddle for the Children’s Pony Hunter championship in a field of 12 ponies.
Eleanor also added more excellent ribbons to her collection, with a major highlight being 11th in the $5,000 Perfect Products USHJA National Hunter Derby out of 26 competitors, including professionals, amateurs and fellow juniors.
Emi Richard took the reins with Denice Perry’s Ollivander and jumped to impressive ribbons in the Small/Medium Green Pony section during the Holiday Finale and the WEF Premiere.
Denice Perry with Brooke Ballhaus and Beverly’s Bebop
Skyland also congratulates Brooke Ballhaus on a great three weeks in Florida! She rode Beverly’s Bebop to super rounds in the hunter and equitation classes. Highlights included their second place out of 25 in the Bruno Delgrange Palm Beach Adult Medal during the WEF Premiere.
Brooke also piloted Little Gun 17 to top ribbons in the competitive 1.10 Amateur Jumper, 18-35, section. In addition, they placed second in the $1,500 Amateur Jumper Classic during the Holiday Finale.
“What an amazing three weeks you had in Florida, Brooke! We will all miss you and cheer you on leading your Stanford University Equestrian team to success this year,” said trainer Denice Perry.
With the official WEF circuit underway on January 9, Skyland was prepared to perform. Blue Label and Chloe Welsh continued their winning streak in the Children’s Large Pony Hunters with the top call in the under saddle and ribbons in every over fences class out of 15 competitors.
Michele Trufant and Biaggi
Michele Trufant made her debut this year in Florida a winning one. She topped her first class aboard Biaggi in the Low Adult Amateur 40+ Jumpers and placed fourth out of 35 in a 1.0m Amateur Jumper, 36+ class.
Michele also rode her new mount, Kiltubrid Rhapsody, in their first horse show together, earning three second-placed ribbons over fences in the Low Adult Amateur and 2’9” Adult Amateur Hunters for a great debut. Congratulations on your new partnership!
During Week 2, the team continued to shine despite the rainy weather. Chloe and Blue Label kept their momentum going with top ribbons in the Children’s Large Ponies, while Michele and Rhapsody moved up to the 3’ with great rounds together. Michele also moved up to the 1.10m Amateur Jumpers with Biaggi, jumping clear and taking fifth in their first class back at that level.
Week 3 saw Blue Label and Chloe once again taking top ribbons in the Children’s Large Ponies over fences and under saddle.
Luke Jensen and Emma Pell’s Congran PS
Luke Jensen joined the team thanks to North Run sharing his proficient riding skills. He piloted Emma Pell’s Congran PS to super rounds in the 1.25m Schooling Jumpers to get the horse back into the show ring.
