11 March '25
Jacqueline Ruyle and Cyramo Z triumph in the CSI2* Grand Prix of Wellington
© Sportfot
Last weekend at Wellington International was already into the ninth week of the prestigious Winter Equestrian Festival, where the focus was mainly on the five-star competition. But in addition to the CSI5* competition, there was also a two-star competition on the programme and at the CSI2* Grand Prix on Saturday afternoon, it was a Z-horse that took victory.
That honour went to US rider Jacqueline Ruyle and the 14-year-old grey mare Cyramo Z, a daughter of Clarimo ASK and Vigo d'Arsouilles bred in the Netherlands by the van Helmond brothers. Ruyle and Cyramo Z also finished 4th in a CSI2* Grand Prix in Wellington earlier this month and were one of 13 combinations to qualify for the jump-off on Saturday. In it, they once again managed to ensure a flawless round and with a whirlwind finishing time of 35.21 seconds, they were just under two full seconds ahead of the competition.
Jacqueline Ruyle: "I loved the jump-off! I thought it was perfect for her because I don't have the biggest gallop, but there were a lot of distances that were unrelated. So I knew that if I didn't screw up, I could definitely win this Grand Prix. She has so much heart and we have such a good relationship. I think we both respect each other and fight for each other."
However, Ruyle and Cyramo Z were not the only ones to ensure success in this CSI2* Grand Prix, as 3rd place also coloured blue and yellow there. Ruyle's compatriot Maria Costa took care of that with the 16-year-old stallion Valentino V Z, a son of Verdi TN and Converter I bred by Antoine and Stefaan Vermeire. Costa and Valentino V Z were also clear in the jump-off, but needed 37.74 seconds to complete their round. American rider Campbell Brown and the 11-year-old chestnut mare Colina Z (C-Ingmar x Carthago Z - B: J.R.J. Evenhuis & L.G. Morsink) were good for 5th place. They too managed to keep it neatly clear twice.
CSI5* competition
The absolute highlight of the weekend in Wellington was, of course, the CSI5* Grand Prix on Saturday evening, in which Irish rider Tom Wachman managed to produce a fine performance with the 10-year-old stallion Tabasco de Toxandria Z, a son of Thunder van de Zuuthoeve and Cento Lano bred by Werner Dierckx. Wachman and Tabasco de Toxandria Z stayed clear in the first round, making them one of the seven combinations who managed to advance to the jump-off. And in that, too, they managed to ensure a flawless performance, finishing in 4th place.
In the 1.55m Grand Prix Qualifier on Thursday, American rider Spencer Smith managed to secure a podium place with the 12-year-old grey gelding Keeneland, a son of Carmena Z and Quattro B who was born to his Dutch breeder Anja Aerts as Cadeau Z. In a jump-off for which 16 combinations managed to qualify, they sped to the finishing line in 36.52 seconds, which earned them a handsome 3rd place in the standings.
On Friday, it was Israeli rider Daniel Bluman who managed to ensure Zangersheide success with the 10-year-old grey mare Corbie V.V. Z, the breeding product of Evelyne and Colin Van Vreckom who combined the blood of Cornet Obolensky with that of Chacco Blue. In the 1.50m speed class they were the very last combination to start and a fast clear round earned them 4th place in the ranking.
Finally, there were also two combinations in Wellington who managed to finish 6th in the CSI5* competition. For American rider Mimi Gochman and her 12-year-old grey stallion Cosmos BH (ex Cosmos Z - Chellano Alpha Z x Artos Z) from the stud farm of Zangersheide Stud Farm, it was during the 1.40m class on Wednesday, while Ireland's top rider Cian O'Connor and the also 12-year-old grey gelding Iron Man (ex C-Iron Z - Charisma Z x Mr. Blue - B: Stoeterij Duysel's Hof) finished 6th in the 1.50m final class on Sunday.