WELLINGTON, Fla.--Ireland’s Tom Wachman on Obora''s Laura won the $32,000 CSIO4* WEF Challenge Cup Round 8 on Thursday, Feb. 26 to open Nations Cup week.

Tom Wachman on Obora's Laura (Photo by Sportfot)Wachman, 21, finished clean in 66.24 seconds in the speed class over the course set by Steve Stephens.

The class was a qualifier for Sunday’s $200,000  CSIO4* Grand Prix.

“She’s a very good mare; competitive and careful. It was a tough enough track, so I was delighted with the way she performed today,” Wachman said of Obora's Laura.

Darragh Kenny, also of Ireland, on Colibelle Hero Z placed second, clean in 67.18 seconds , and Jacob Pope on Highway FBH was third in 68.06 seconds.

Wachman trains with Irish Olympian Cian O’Connor.

“Cian and I worked the last couple of weeks on turning because there have been a few speed classes where I lost time in the turns," said Wachman. "We have been practicing, and it worked out quite well today.”

 

WACHMAN has been named by Chef d’Équipe Jessica Kürten to represent Ireland in the FEI Nations Cup during Saturday Night Lights.

“I’m excited, I’ve never jumped on a team here before," said Wachman. "It’s always a great atmosphere and competitive. There’s plenty of support for the Irish, so I’m looking forward to it.” 

Wachman, who represented his home nation in a string of Nations Cup team appearances over the summer, contributed to a win for Ireland in La Baule, France.

Wachman will ride Coolmore Showjumping’s Do It Easy in his Wellington Nations Cup debut.

“He’s had a good bit of form lately and deserves the opportunity,” said Wachman.