WELLINGTON, Fla.--Cian O’Connor of Ireland won the Overall Leading International Rider Award at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Cian O'Connor on Fancy de Kergane (Photo by Sportfot)A Leading International Rider Award was presented each week to the rider who earned the most points based on performances in that week’s WEF Challenge Cup and featured grand prix event.

Surprisingly, O’Connor did not win any of the weekly awards, but his consistent performances throughout the 12 week circuit gave him a total of 862 points and the new Overall Leading International Rider title.

Second place went to Margie Goldstein-Engle with a total of 823 points, while another Irish rider, Shane Sweetnam, was third overall with a total of 800 points.

“We had an incredible winter in Florida,” said O’Connor, who has been based in Wellington for many winter seasons. “The horses performed really well and that is thanks to all of their owners: Sue and John Magnier, Sarah Stoute, Nikki Walker, and Pat Crean. All our horses jumped outstandingly, and I was delighted to have won the title of Leading International Rider of the WEF circuit.

“All credit must go to the brilliant team behind the scenes, from everybody in the stable who puts in the hard work day in and day out, to all of my support staff, and everybody else who contributes to the Karlswood team,” said O’Connor. “I am extremely grateful to each and every one of them.”

 

FOR DELAWARE Valley competitors, Scott Stewart of Flemington, N.J. was the Leading Hunter Rider over 319 riders that competed in hunter divisions at WEF, while his partner Ken Berkley was Leading Hunter Trainer.

Scott rode California Love, who was the Leading High Performance Conformation Hunter.

Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, N.J., was sixth in Leading Open Jumper Rider,, and Jimmy Torano of Mohrsville, Pa., was eighth over 900 riders that competed in non-FEI classes at WEF..

Mary Chapot was ninth in Leading Open Jumper Trainer.

Laura rode Gideon to be the Leading 1.40m Jumper and fourth in 1.35m Jumpers, whillel she also rode Kanjer Pto be second in 1.40m Jumpers.

Tyson Fury, ridden by Laura, was Leading 7 Year Old Jumper.

Cordon Blue, competed by Laura, won ribbons in FEI classes and was 11th in 1.45m Jumpers.

Alex Matz of Coatesville, Pa., won a number of good ribons in FEI classes on Cashew and was also 40th of 331 horses in 1.45m Jumpers, while his sister Lucy rode Michael STN, 19th in 7 Year Old Jumper, and Starstruck NA, 45th in 6 Year Old Jumpers.

Andrew Philbrick had a number of students competing in WEF, including Debbie Purowitz,, who was 14th on Reminiscent in Master Jumpers, Kara Cici, who was 21st on Marco in 1.05m Jumpers and Roxy Leyshon, who was112th of 221 in Amateur Jumpers 1.25m on Jillz and124th of 209 in 1/40m Amateur Owner Jumpers  on Leroy Blue.

Tina Brown of Kennett Square, Pa., was 19th in Amateur Owner Hunter 3'6", over 35, on Hyacinth, and was 32nd in Amateur Owner 3'3" on Red Label.