Weeks of qualification at Wellington International culminated Friday in the Winter Equestrian Festival Equitation Championship presented by NetJets.
Topping the field of 43 was Carlee McCutcheon, from the famous reining family, who has also made a name for herself over fences as well as in a western saddle. The 17-year-old Texan, who rode Chacco Star, is coached by T.J. O’Mara and Max Amaya of Stonehenge in Colts Neck, N.J., and her grandmother, Colleen McQuay.
Carlee McCutcheon and Chacco Star. (Photo © Sportfot)
Second place went to another Texan, Elanor Rudnicki on Brentwood, with Jordan Gibbs of Colorado third on the famous Cent 15.
“I would like to thank T.J. who puts in so much work to make these horses perfect for us and everything he does for us, and Max Amaya, and the whole team at Stonehenge,” said Carlee.
“And to thank my grandparents and parents for pushing me and believing in me enough to make this all come true.”
The course designed by Andy Christiansen offered a first round that included an S-line question and varying obstacle challenges, such as a split-rail option. The top 12 were called back in reverse order for a second round and then the top four came back for testing without stirrups. The class was judged by Archie Cox, Abby Blankenship, Tammy Provost and Lillie Keenan.
Riders competing in this championship are on their own. They must walk the course, make their plan and warm up without the assistance their trainers. They have to hand over their cell phones and can only have one groom in the schooling area, where Diane Landreville and Dan Reed observed the warm-up for the first two rounds and awarded riders a score for their time management, horsemanship and effectiveness in the schooling area. Those points were either added or subtracted from their overall score.