Last Updated on March 2, 2024 by adminahb
The BrainJuice Under 25 series returned to Wellington International during Week 8 of the 2024 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Under the lights of the International Arena, the penultimate competition of the series welcomed fifty of the season’s best young riders to the $32,000 BrainJuice U25 Semi-Final Grand Prix. The course tested the young riders once again ahead of the series final to be held during WEF 10.
The track, designed by USA’s Steve Stephens and Nicholas Granat, proved difficult with only seven returning for the jump-off. However, going clear was a common theme across the jump-off with six of the seven riders not touching a rail in the race for the win. Coming down to speed, it was Caroline Mawhinney (USA) and her own Stella Levista who bested the rest.
Coming in to a time to beat of 34.99 seconds, set by third-place finisher Tom Wachman (IRL) and Obora’s Laura (Luidam x Non Stop), owned by Coolmore Showjumping, Mawhinney quickly knocked more than a second off, finishing in 33.11 seconds.
“I’ve had her for over four years now and she truly is incredible. I couldn’t ask for a better horse. She’s really small and a little crazy, but has the biggest heart in the world,” said Mawhinney of the 16-year-old mare by Satisfaction FRH x Levisto. “She’s given me so many achievements. She’s really made me the rider that I am, and I owe her everything.”
Tom Wachman and Cathalina S Speed to Blue in $32,000 Dodd Technologies CSIO4* 1.45m
Nations Cup week at WEF continued on Friday with the $32,000 Dodd Technologies CSIO4* 1.45m. Thirty-eight riders took to the speed track with young Irishman and U25 star, Tom Wachman, taking the win aboard Cathalina S (Salt N Pepa S x Sandro), owned by Coolmore Showjumping. The pair rode to a time of 58.37 seconds for the win.
Going later in the order, Wachman just caught the time-to-beat of 58.49 seconds, set by runner-up Jad Dana (LBN), and Fleur-De-Lis’ Cherie (Clarimo x Lancer II), owned by The Cherie Group.
“I think I was the only one in the class to do five to the double of verticals,” said Wachman, 19. “She [Cathalina S] has a huge stride and that’s one of the big things for her; it’s how she can be very quick in the speed classes. I think that’s where I probably won.
“I started riding her here in Wellington last January,” said Wachman of the 15-year-old mare. “She won a 1.50m class in Ocala two weeks ago, and she nearly won the WEF yesterday; she’s super.”
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