WELLINGTON, Fla.--Belgium’s Emilie Conter on Portobella van de Fruitkorf won the $500,000, CSI5* Grand Prix with a daring jump at the last fence during Winter Equestrian Festival’s ‘Saturday Night Lights’ on March 8.
Emilie Conter on Portobella van de Fruitkorf (Photo by Sportfot)Conter won in a seven horse jump-off over the course set by Alan Wade of Ireland.
From a starting field of 40 that included six of the world’s top 10 ranked riders, the 24-year-old claimed the first five star victory of her career.
“It hasn't sunk in yet; I'm super happy with my horse and my team for making this happen,” said Conter. “I saw a really long distance to the last oxer, and I heard Helena Stormanns scream ‘go get it!’, so I took it. I didn’t think it was going to be enough to beat these other riders, but I looked up and saw that I was in first.”
Conter finished clean in 42.43, while Olympic team gold medalist Harry Charles of Great Britain on Sherlock placed second, clean in 43.33, and reigning World Cup Champion Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden on his Olympic mount King Edward was third, clean in 43.88.
Tom Wachman of Ireland on Tabasco de Toxandria Z, the only other clean in the jump-off, was fourth in 45.63, and Darragh Kenny of Ireland on Zero K was the fastest of the four faulters to place fifth.
CONTER has ridden Portobella van de Fruitkorf, a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood, since the mare was 7.
“We've come a long way,” she said. “We took it very slow in the beginning because I always knew she was special. There are no words for her. When I first started riding her, she was a bit colder but always had massive scope. When she was younger, she was not so impressed with the small jumps but now the bigger the fences, the better she jumps.”
With several previous connections of Portobella van de Fruitkorf watching along with Conter’s visiting grandparents in a sold-out crowd, the victory was made extra sweet for Conter.
“It's nearly as good an atmosphere as anywhere in the world,” said Charles, who came to Wellington for the first time in 2024 and spent the season there this year. “I didn't plan on jumping Sherlock in too many of the bigger classes under the lights. He's still quite green at night, but tonight he jumped better than I could have hoped. I thought the course builder did a great job. You saw the perfect amount in the jump-off. I’m very happy with second place.”
This season, Von Eckermann is focused on building back some lost confidence with his famed mount King Edward.
“He jumped fantastic,” said Von Eckermann. “He jumped a very good indoor season but in the jump-offs that were full speed, I’m a guy who wants to win and pushed a little too much and we lost a little confidence. He feels good and is jumping better and better with every show. These Saturday nights are fantastic and I'm looking forward to the Rolex Finale in WEF 12.”
Von Eckermann himself suffered a hand injury from a fall earlier in the WEF season and wore a brace on Saturday night as he continues to recover.
“It's always the same," he said. "In the ring adrenaline is going and you want to do it and then afterwards you feel it, but it could have been worse and I’m happy that I’m able to continue riding. Emilie did a fantastic job tonight and I’m very happy for her.”
