Amid all the controversy and lobbying about expanding the main showgrounds in Wellington, Florida, remember that even as equestrians cite the need for big improvements there, what the public sees is pretty darn good when they come to the home of the Winter Equestrian Festival.
I thought about it after Friday night’s new hunter teams competition at Wellington International, as I walked out past the colorful merry-go-round and the ornate fountain with its carved horses sending up bubbling streams of water. Luxe shops (and some with more moderate prices) line the path from the hospitality area around the International Arena, where the footing is fine and the lighting is good for featured night classes.
It was easy to forget the quality of the show after covering 60 hours of debate (or was it 65; I lost count) about taking land out of the Equestrian Preserve. It was all in the attempt to get a deal for the expanded showgrounds and move dressage to the WEF grounds from Equestrian Village down the street. So I was reminded by a trip to what used to be called the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center that Equestrian Sport Productions still runs a good show with precision, under the guidance of manager Dave Burton and Wellington International President Michael Stone.
The team event was the $100,000 Kristen Baran exhibition class, for the benefit of the Neil S. Hirsch Boys & Girls Clubs that helps youth get a leg up on life with education, activities and other benefits.
The hunter teams’ debut was pretty successful, but needs a few tweaks going forward. It involved three members on a team—a professional, an amateur and a junior—each riding over 3-foot, 3-inch fences in consecutive rounds that offered a few options. Only two team members’ scores counted; the drop score factor saved squads where one member had a mishap.
The class was basically three hunter rounds, what we see every week in the hunter arena at WEF.
To do something that could set the team concept apart, one person suggested a relay format, the way they do with the pony hunt teams at the Devon Horse Show. So the first rider would take three or four fences, the second would jump the next group and the third would finish the course. I think if would be cool if they jumped three abreast at the last fence, the way we used to do in the hunter trials (I still have photos of myself jumping a fence side-by-side like that with my friends from years ago.)
Brianne Goutal-Marteau’s winning team of Grace Debney and Clara Propp earned 181 points to 176 for Patricia Griffith’s squad of Callie Seaman and Vivian Goldman. Third of the 14 teams was Keri Kampsen with Stphanie Danhakl and Wyatt Rofey (175).
Brianne Goutal-Marteau on Grand Remo. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Brianne, who knew Neil Hirsch, really enjoyed the class—and not just because she was on the winning side.
“I think it’s wonderful,” said Brianne, whose highest score on Grand Remo from the three judging panels was an eye-popping 93.
Brianne Goutal-Marteau’s score for her round on Grand Remo. s
“It’s been a long time since we have done something new in the hunter ring. And obviously to do it for a charitable cause is even better. I think the format is fine…it ended up flowing. It’s fun to do it at 3-3. There’s less pressure. You see a lot of horses having a good time doing everything easily.
Grace said she had been away from the hunters and focusing on the jumpers, so “It was a nice introduction back into it.” She borrowed her mount from Clara.
For her part, Clara said, “I had a lot of fun.. It’s a horse I know really well. It was kind of low pressure and good experience going into next week,” she observed, referring to the Hunter Spectacular where hunters again will compete in the International Arena, which is not their usual venue at WEF.
Brianne Goutal-Marteau, Grace Debney and Clara Propp, the winning hunter team. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Florida trainer Andrew Lustig came up with the idea for the team endeavor.
As he explained it, there was a time in the hunters “when the lines (to the jumps) were really long and it was exciting. Other sports, gymnastics and swimming, they’re moving forward. So we’ve got to move forward, because if we don’t move forward, we die. It’s hard to ride under lights, when you never do.”
Andrew dreams big; he’d like to see the team idea develop like the show jumping Global Champions Tour and compete in Europe, which doesn’t usually feature hunters in shows held there. Although it’s very early days, he already can visualize show hunters in Cannes.
Discussing why the show held the class, manager Dave Burton explained, “It’s an ongoing goal for us at Wellington International to provide opportunities for hunters to be showcased. This season, they experience the International Arena, night classes and the derby field, all with substantial prize money for professionals, amateurs, young hunters and ponies.
“The hunt team class is a perfect way to showcase hunter horses and riders in a fun environment that also gives back to an organization that has a huge influence in the Wellington community and greater Palm Beach County.”
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