WELLINGTON, Fla.--Canadian Olympian Erynn Ballard won the Overall Leading Lady Rider Award after amassing the most points over the course of the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Erynn Ballard on Her Game Ball (Photo by Sportfot)The Leading Lady Rider Award was presented each week of WEF to the female rider who earned the most points based on performances in that week’s WEF Challenge Cup and featured grand prix event.
Despite not winning a weekly award, Ballard kept adding points to her total week after week with consistent performances.
At the end of the season, Ballard was on top the standings with a total of 557 points to win the Overall Leading Lady title.
Nina Mallevaey of France, winner of the Leading Lady Rider Award during WEF 7, finished a close second in the standings with a total of 539 points, and Marilyn Little, winner of the Leading Lady Rider Award during WEF 1 and 8, finished third overall with a total of 529 points.
“TO BE recognized as the leading female rider after 12 weeks of competition is a direct result of great horses, a great team, and great management,” said Ballard who has been based in Wellington, FL, for the past nine years riding professionally for Ilan Ferder Stables. “This award is very close to my heart. Winning the award from Martha Jolicoeur is so special as she has known me my whole life. I am proud to represent the ideal of a strong female role model in the sport, and I hope to be able to win this title for many more years to come. I will forever be supporting girl power and all the leading ladies.”
A long-time sponsor of the annual Winter Equestrian Festival, Jolicoeur initiated the popular Leading Lady Rider Award in 2010 in memory of fellow realtor, Dale Lawler.
Charlotte Jacobs on Rincoola Milsean won the $62,500 1.50m, going clean in 66.88, to finish less than a second in front of second placed Marilyn Little on Narado, who was clean in 67.52.
Jordan Coyle of Ireland on Ariso was third in 68.2, with Laura Kraut on Una Mariposa fourth in 68.88, Natalie Dean on Acota M fifth in 69.31, and Ben Maher on Enjeu de Grisien sixth in 69.61.
