WELLINGTON, Fla.--Lacy Gilbertson of Hamburg, N.J., won the CHF50,000 ($54,256) CSI4* WEF Challenge Cup Round 3 on Thursday, Jan. 27 during Week 3 of the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Lucy Gilberson on Kartin van't Vennehof (Photo by Sportfot)Peter Grant of Canada set a course for a starting field of 55, nine of which progressed to the jump-off.
Despite her conservative jump-off plan, Gilbertson on Karlin van’t Vennehof was fast and clean to stop the clock at 41.41 seconds, beating Lillie Keenan on Argan De Beliard, who finished in 43.09 seconds for second, and Jacob Pope on Highway FBH was third in 44.78 seconds.
Gilbertson began riding Karlin van’t Vennehof, the former mount of her trainer Shane Sweetnam, at the beginning of the 2022 WEF season.
“I think I have so much confidence in her that when I go in the ring, no matter what happens if I do it half right, we are going to be clear,” said Gilbertson. “She’s so scopey and she’s my type of ride so I’m very comfortable on her. I think that’s the main thing that’s helped us click and keep the consistency.”
“I WAS a little bit conservative in the beginning for one, two and three and then the oxer rolling back away from the gate showed up the way I wanted it to, then everything fell into place," she said. "We were able to the leave out to the last, and she was amazing.
“Everything makes Karlin special; she’s the kindest, sweetest, and most forgiving horse on earth,” said Gilbertson. “I actually don’t understand how she is as hot and sensitive as she is while still having all of the other things you need in the ring to be successful.”
Finishing the day in the International Ring, the CHF6,000 CSI2* 1.45m was won by Germany’s Sophie Hinners riding Munin.
Canadian Olympian Amy Millar finished second on GCS Athena, while Taylor Harris was third on Keatingstown Gotha de Baudignies.
