WELLINGTON, Fla.--Mexico’s Maya Ines Denis Chambon on Callypso de la Hamente Z won the $32,000 U25 Semi-Final Grand Prix on Friday evening, Feb.27 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Maya Ines Denis Chambon on Callypso de las Hamente Z (Photo by Sportfot)In a 10 horse jump-off from a starting field of42, Chambon was clean in 35.87 to win over JJ Torano on Lyon 50, clean in 36.78.
This Semi-Final Grand Prix followed a season of point-chasing in anticipation of the 2026 series finale taking place during WEF 10,
Over the course set by Steve Stephens, Chambon, a five-time medalist at the FEI North American Youth Championships, was first to go in the jump-off, and her time proved to be uncatchable.
Germany’s Tony Stormanns on RMF Balouwinsky finished third in 37.66 seconds with Clara Propp on Mistral van de Vogelznag fourth in 37.84, Nina Bonnie's granddaughter Virginia Bonnie on Heldorado fifth in 37.91, and Alexandra Ryden on Irandole du Flot sixth in 38.79.
“I BASE out of Ocala but came down here during week two to specifically qualify for tonight,” said 22-year-old Chambon. “It’s great to be able to compete at a high level with just our age group. It forces us to step up our game and raises the level of competition.”
JJ Torano on Lyon 50 (Photo by Sportfot)The U25 Series creates a path to higher levels for young show jumpers, featuring challenges such as changes in venue, jumping under the lights, jumping the open water, team formats, and more.
Chambon has ridden Callypso for five years, after getting the ride when the gelding was just 5 years old.
“He began as a shy and spooky horse, but has always been competitive,” she said. “Having a horse that likes to win and go fast has been so fun to develop.”
Chambon now sits within the top 25 in the season rankings and plans to return to Wellington for the series finale during WEF 10.
The current standings are led by Campbell Brown after two early-season wins.
Eva Fisherman is second, with Canada’s Cassidy Rein third, after winning the WEF 8 welcome earlier in the week.
Earlier in the day, Canada’s Amy Millar on Christiano won the $32,000 1.45m Classic, speed first round class, finishing clean in 58.88 seconds.
Karl Cook on Candy placed second, clean in 59.07, and Canada's Gavin Moylan was third on Anton 869 in 60.25
There was an unusual tie for fourth in the speed class, with Laura Chapot on Jolie van Shuttershof and Sydney Shulman Desidero of Israel on Nanin van D'Abelendreef tied for fourth in 60.34, and Jonathan McCrea on Jannan S was sixth in 60.56.
