ARCADIA, Calif.--Gregory Wathelet of Belgium on Argentina De La Marchette won the $100,000 CSI5*-W 1.50m Welcome at Santa Anita on Thursday, Nov. 20.
Gregory Wathelet on Argentina De La Marchette (Photo by Wnslow Photography)On an evening of uncharacteristic southern California weather, pouring rain and whipping winds, 10 of the top world ranked riders qualified for the jump-off from a starting field of 58.
But with the weather getting worse and worse as the evening progressed, three of the top riders, world number one Kent Farrington on Toulayna, number eight Laura Kraut on Bisquetta and number 38 Karl Cook on Caracole de la Roque, chose not to return for the jump-off over the course set by Anderson Lima.
2020 Tokyo Olympics team bronze medalist Wathelet was first in the jump-off and set the fast time of 36.59 that no one could catch to take the win.
Niina Mallevaey of France on Dynastie De Beaufour was second in a time of 37.08, Ireland’s Michael Duffy on Be Sky Hawk was third in 37.13 and Mclain Ward on First Lady was fourth in 37.35.
STELLA WASSERMAN on Precious Dwerse Hagen was ifth in 39.02, with Kyle Timm of Canada on Glamour de Chanu sixth in 39.60,and Vanessa Mannix of Canada on Carmel Z seventh with four faults in 40.41.
“It was a very good win," said Wathelet. "She has had many good results over the last month. It was a little delicate being first to go, and when I walked the course it looked tough to me. Once I was clear, I knew we had a pretty good chance, she’s pretty fast. “Santa Anita CSI5*-W is a really great show, and well organized. And we all know it’s going to be the Olympics in a few years. I hope I can be part of it.”
40 riders from Thursday’s 1.50m Welcome class advance to Saturday night’s feature class, the $400,000 Longines FEI Jumping World CupTM Los Angeles.
Cook will be defending his 2024 title with Caracole De La Roque.
