WELLINGTON, Fla.--With the indoor shows completed, national and international riders are returning to Florida and FEI show jumping also returned to Wellington.
Jad Dana on Fleur de Lis Cherie (Photo by Cassidy Klein)Lebanon’s Jad Dana on Fleur-de-Lis’ Cherie won the $32,000 CSI3* Power & Speed on Thursday, Nov. 14.
Dana had a breakout start to 2024 by having nine international top 10 placings at Wellington International, and now he's finishing the year with a win.
“It feels great to be back,” said Dana, 29, who is based in Wellington. “I was looking forward to the season starting back up again, and it couldn't have started any better. It's very difficult to win any class in Wellington, so if you do, it's even more rewarding. Hopefully we keep it going this way.”
Competition at Wellington International is beginning to ramp up for the winter season as 46 horses competed over the two-phase course designed by Hector Loyola of Puerto Rico .
Dana won on his second mount in the class, Fleur-de-Lis’ Cherie, as he finished the speed phase in 28.76 seconds.
“I love all my horses, but this mare is something special because she tries very hard for me,” said Dana. “I know if we lose, many times it’s because I did something to take the win from her. It's almost like she knows where the next jump is, so she turns really well and she's very fast. She's game, so on a day like this when she's feeling great and really wanting it, she's unbeatable.”
FRACTIONS off the winning pace in 29 seconds flat, Nayel Nassar of Egypt on Linguini de la Pomme placed second and Luis Pedro Biraben of Argentina on Vasco was third from a field that included representation from eleven different nations.
Dana also finished sixth on his first mount After Eight.
Looking ahead to the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival season, which begins on Jan. 1, Dana said he is planning to step up a level with his seasoned grand prix mounts Caro W and Itchcock des Dames.
Also on Thursday, Australia’s David Cameron on Beijing LS La Sillawon won the CSI3* 1.40m, and Roberto Teran Tafur of Columbia won the 1.35m Stake on Hinosa C.