Gen Z Steamrolls Wellington

Happy Finals week!

While that’s a phrase my college self never thought I’d say, the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final officially begins today!

Round 1 starts tomorrow and here’s a link to the live feed if you want to watch.

But first, here’s the recap from this week:

1. How this Gen Zer beat the best of the best in Wellington

2. Eric Lamaze says farewell

3. The Goat makes an appearance in showjumping

Gen Z Steamrolls Wellington

If you haven’t yet heard about the latest Wellington superstar, you might need to open a TikTok account, because it was the 26-year-old Richard Vogel that claimed top honors in the $500,000 Rolex CSI5* Grand Prix aboard Cepano Baloubet.

This was the nine year old gelding’s debut victory, and just two weeks earlier, Vogel wasn’t even sure he wanted to enter. “But he felt really good,” said Vogel, “We thought, ‘we’re here and he’s in very good shape so let's give it a try.”

I guess you could say it worked out as they not only won the the big check for $165,00, but they also came in nine seconds faster than second place, Roberto Teran Tafur aboard Dez' Ooktoff, and even beat out Rolex Dutch Masters winner, McLain Ward aboard HH Azure.

However, this Gen Zer hasn’t just been wasting time recording dance videos for the past few months. Vogel and Cepano Baloubet won the WEF Challenge Cup just two weeks ago and he’s racked up several other impressive wins during the season, like the $37,000 Bainbridge CSI5* 1.45m aboard Accoton PS.

Bluman Takes The Blue

Daniel Bluman also had a great season finale as he and Gemma W emerged victoriously in the $146,000 Adequan WEF Challenge Cup earlier that week.

He’s been saving the 12 year old mare all season and only showed her once during Week 8 where she picked up a top five placing in a CSI4* Grand Prix.

Now, Bluman’s going to have to figure out how to get his shiny new trophy through airport security as he, Gemma W, and his other mount, Ladriano Z, head to Omaha.

Farewell to Eric Lamaze

Canadian Olympian, Eric Lamaze, officially announced that he’s retiring from showjumping competition.

The 53-year-old Canadian Olympian has been battling brain cancer since 2017 and is “crushed” that it has forced him to cut his career short.

While his career ended sooner than he had anticipated, Lamaze is still Canada’s most decorated equestrian athlete, with career earnings totaling over $6.7 million and an impressive resume of wins, like individual gold and team silver at the 2018 Beijing Olympics.

Despite stepping down from competition, Lamaze couldn’t be kept away from the showring.

He was appointed as chef d’equipe for the Canadian Show Jumping Team, and his guidance has already helped the team earn second-place finishes in both the CSIO4* Nations’ Cup in Wellington, FL and the CSIO5* Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ in Coapexpan, Mexico.

“What I’m giving up personally by not competing I’m gaining ten times over by leading other Canadians on their journey to success,” said Lamaze. “Yes, it’s bittersweet, but knowing that I can still make huge contributions to the sport in another role leaves me at peace with my decision.”

Final Destination? Omaha.

Pack your bags, we’re heading to the land of steaks!

Tomorrow, the FEI Jumping World Cup Final commences, and you’ll get to witness 41 of the best equestrian athletes from 19 different nations compete for the title.

Nine of the 41 athletes will represent the United States, including McLain Ward with Callas, Aaron Vale with Prescott, Devin Ryan with Eddie Blue, and Hunter Holloway with Eastern Jam and Pepita Con Spita.

Here are some fun facts about the FEI Jumping World Cup Final:

• The last time the Final was held in Omaha, McLain Ward won it on HH Azure.

• The US has won more Finals than any other country.

• Five riders have won the title three times.

• Rodrigo Pessoa is the only rider to have ever won it three years consecutively. He also claimed all three victories on the remarkable stallion Baloubet du Rouet.

• Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs is the reigning champion and he’s the only one to also have had a relative win the title. His uncle, Markus Fuchs, won it in 2001 on Tinka’s Boy.

• The Final has been won by five female athletes over the course of 43 years.

• Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum won it three times on her trusty mount, Shutterfly, who passed away just weeks ago.

Be sure to tune in here.

Other News

Goat, Meet Goat

We finally know the real reason why Tom Brady had doubts about retiring. He just discovered one of the most expensive and addictive hobbies that exists – horses!

In these (non-AI generated) images, you can see him getting an introduction to the Broke Person Starter Kit from various Wellington officials.

McLain Ward also had some words of wisdom to share:

Several commenters were wondering what a goat was doing in a horse show ring, but his daughter Vivian is rumored to be a horse enthusiast, so we might be seeing more Bradys in the ring shortly!

Ben is Back!

Ben Maher officially announced that he is back in the saddle after a fall in February forced him to spend some time off.

In his Instagram post, which features an excellent demonstration of a cable row variation, use of the assault bike and various other exercises, he expresses gratitude for his team and physio team and assures fans he’s back working horses.

Catoki’s Catlike Agility Clenches The $39,000 Bainbridge CSI5* 1.45m

Another noteworthy victory from Wellington went to McLain Ward and his catlike partner, Catoki, in the $39,000 Bainbridge Companies CSI5* 1.45m.

A total of 19 horses qualified for the jump-off, but Catoki smoked them all with a dizzying time of 57.75 seconds.

“I don’t even really remember the rounds after because they happen so fast on him,” Ward laughed. “We often joke that he probably doesn’t remember them either.”

At just 15.2, Catoki is one of Ward’s littlest mounts, but he has proved that size doesn’t matter.

“He’s so tiny that he is basically a pony, but he has the heart of a lion,” said Ward. “He has jumped some massive classes, including twice in the Puissance, so you know he has the bravery and he matches that with speed, which makes an incredibly quality partner.”

Farms We Love

In the spirit of World Cup Final week, we decided to look for the best luxury farm in Omaha.

To be honest, we were pretty disappointed… until we found this gem.

The barn has only four stalls, but it’s heated and has plenty of additional room for tractors… or at least, that’s what you can tell your family. We know you’ll really just fill it with more stalls.

Above everything, it was the spectacular outdoor bar that won us over. Just imagine grilling some Omaha steaks while you watch the latest Grand Prixs on ClipHorse!

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