Spencer Smith and Ayade Hero Z Fly to Win in $140,000 Southern Arches Grand Prix CSI3* at 2022 WEF

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16/01/2022

Wellington, FL – The $140,000 Southern Arches Grand Prix CSI3* was the feature event of the week at the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) on Saturday, January 15, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. Part of the popular “Saturday Night Lights” series, Spencer Smith (USA) wowed the crowd and jumped to victory with Ransome Rombauer’s Ayade Hero Z. WEF 1 concludes on Sunday, January 16, and the circuit continues through April 3.
There were 45 entries in the biggest class of the week, and they competed over a course set by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) and Andy Christiansen Jr. (ECU). Eight were able to find the path to a clear round and continued to the jump-off.
Starting out the jump-off with a bang was Olympic team silver medalist Kent Farrington (USA) and his 10-year-old KWPN mare Orafina (For Fashion x Canturo). They set the time to beat at 36 seconds flat, which would hold up for second place.
Farrington has had Orafina in his barn for nearly a year and recorded consistent top finishes at the 2021 WEF, Kentucky, Tryon, Knokke (BEL), and Valkenswaard (NED), along with a win in Calgary at Spruce Meadows.
With Orafina as a younger horse moving up and competing in her first night class under the lights at WEF, Farrington thought the mare jumped “exceptionally well.” Farrington enjoyed the atmosphere and enthusiasm that has returned to WEF in 2022 and has plans to let Orafina develop further during the circuit.
Two trips after Farrington, it was Nayel Nassar (EGY) who would come closest to Farrington’s time. Nassar and Evergate Stables LLC’s Igor van de Wittemoere jumped clear in 36.65 seconds.
Final Results: FEI $140,000 Southern Arches Grand Prix CSI3*
1 AYADE HERO Z: 2011 Zangersheide mare by Aganix du Seigneur x HH Radco
SPENCER SMITH (USA), Ransome Rombauer: 0/0/34.31
2 ORAFINA: 2012 KWPN mare by For Fashion x Canturo
KENT FARRINGTON (USA), Kent Farrington LLC: 0/0/36.00
3 IGOR VAN DE WITTEMOERE: 2008 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Cooper van de Heffinck x Orlando
NAYEL NASSAR (EGY), Evergate Stables LLC: 0/0/36.65
4 VOLO’S DIAMOND: 2011 Oldenburg gelding by Stakkatol x Baloubet de Rouet
TANNER KOROTKIN (USA), Sandalwood Farms: 0/0/36.85
5 ABC QUANTUM CRUISE: 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding by OBOS Quality x Cruising
HECTOR FLORENTINO ROCA (DOM), Wyndmont: 0/0/36.89
6 CHESS: 2011 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Bufero van het Panishof x Latano I
NICHOLAS DELLO JOIO (USA), Kent Farrington LLC: 0/4/40.54
7 H&M CARAT DESIRE: 2008 Holsteiner gelding by Carinjo x Latus II
MCLAIN WARD (USA), Susan Heller & McLain Ward: 0/8/37.59
8 MARCIANO MVF: 2011 Zangersheide gelding by Stakkato x Leberoi H
HEATHER CARISTO WILLIAMS (USA), Stephanie Bulger: 0/8/38.93
9 EL BALOU OLD: 2012 Oldenburg stallion by Eldorado VD Zeshoek x Balou Du Rouet
DAVID O’BRIEN (IRL), Chansonette Farm LLC: 1/78.87
10 IMERALD VAN’T VOORHOF: 2008 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Emerald x Bacardi Orange de Muze
PAUL O’SHEA (IRL), Tequestrian Farms & Imerald Partners LLC: 4/74.12
11 VERDINI D’HOUTVELD Z: 2011 Zangersheide gelding by Verdi TN x Caretino 2
LAUREN BALCOMB (AUS), Lauren Balcomb: 4/74.20
12 HAMILTON: 2011 Holsteiner gelding by Quadros 3 x Acolord
TIFFANY FOSTER (CAN), The Hamilton Group: 4/74.52