Richard Vogel won the WEF Challenge Cup over McLain Ward

Details: March 17, 2023; By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla--Germany’s Richard Vogel on Cepano Baloube won the $78,000 CSI4* WEF Challenge Round 10 on Thursday, March 16 at the winter Equestrian Festival.

Richard Vogel Cepano Baloubet Sportfot Richard Vogel on Cepano Baloubet (Photo by Sportfot)Andy Christiansen Jr. designed the course for 58 competitors, with nine making the jump-off.

Vogel, 25, has ridden Cepano Baloubet, a nine-year-old German-bred gelding, for two years ago.

A recent owner change allowed Cepano Baloubet to remain in Vogel’s string, now under the ownership of Veronica Tracy.

Vogel on Cepano Baloubet finished clean in 36.02 seconds, over two seconds faster than Mclain Ward on Kasper Van Het Hellehof, clean in 38.21.

Thaisa Erwin of Australia on Vanturo was third in 41.13 seconds.

“The plan was to start from the right so I that I would land on the left lead and do nine strides to the next, and I got there well enough thanks to his big stride,” said Vogel. “I slowed down in front of the oxer a little bit to get a good rollback to the next vertical. I got there in eight strides and I saw Mclain, who was just before me, did nine so I knew I’d be a little ahead of him there.”

VOGEL, an up-and-coming rider, has experienced tremendous success in the ring this season at WE with three wins, including winning a CSI4* on Cepano Baloubet earlier in the season.

“Riders like Mclain have tremendous experience and you can learn a lot from them," said Vogel. "I like to watch him a bit in the warm-ups, and then obviously also in the ring and where he makes up time in a jump-off and I think you can learn a lot just watching those kinds of riders. In general, Wellington is a great place for us young riders to watch and learn from the older and more experienced riders.”

“I’ve had a great season and the horses are all jumping very well,” said Vogel. “I have some young horses that have been moving up the levels and have made great progress and then I have the older horses who are jumping very well also.”

Vogel and Cepano Baloubet will next compete in the $226,000 CSI4* Grand Prix during ‘Saturday Night Lights.’