WELLINGTON, Fla.--World No. 8 Nina Mallevaey of France on Destine To Be won the $62,500, CSI5* 1.50m while Marilyn Little & Narado won the $62,500, CSI2* Grand Prix on Sunday, Feb. 22 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Nina Mallevaey on Destine To Be (Photo by Sportfot)Under the Winning Round format in the 5* Grand Prix, 12 returned to jump round two, going in reverse order of qualification.
Going second to last in round two over the course set by Anthony d’Ambrosio, Mallevaey was clean in 46.97 seconds to take a full two seconds off the previous leading time of Darragh Kenny of Ireland on Colbelle Hero Z of 48.92.
Kenny placed second, with Christian Kukuk of Germany on Akarod Tivoliz another two seconds back placing third in 50.93.
Kenny om Cosmos BH was also fourth in 51,19, with Shane Sweetnam of Ireland on Pia Maria H fifth in 51.71 and Nayel Nasser of Egypt on Crislin van den Bosrand Z sixth in 52.03.
“I was planning to do one less stride after the double vertical, and one less on the two to three," said Mallevaey, the 26-year-old reigning French National Champion. "I didn’t get there, but he’s so fast on the ground, I could add a stride and keep the rhythm. He’s so careful and has a lot of scope. I trust him, and I can ask him anything now that he trusts me.”
DESTINE TO BE was purchased by the Rein Family as an 8-year-old.
Marilyn Little on Narado (Photo by Sportfot)“I think he has a lot of quality," said Mallevaey. "
He’s a bit hard to manage sometimes; he has a lot of blood, but he’s been amazing so far, and I think he’s going to win even more classes in the future.”
“It’s been amazing," she said. "I’m living the dream and I have amazing horses and amazing people around me.”
Little won the CSI2* Grand Prix in a 14 horse jump-off from a starting field of 43 competitors.
Little was clean in 37.17 to win over second placed Beat Mändli of Switzerland on Kay Grey, clean in 37.80 seconds, and third placed Stephen Moore of Ireland on Conny Blue BH, clean in 38.38 seconds.
“He’s only eight, but he’s been steadily moving up,” said Little. “He decided he was more of a grown-up, and he’s been fantastic since January. He’s a great competitor and understands the game.”
Before joining Little’s string, Narado built an impressive track record as a young horse in Europe, competing with riders such as Giavanna Rinaldi and Sanne Thijssen of Netherlands under the watch of Ashford Farm.
Little on La Contessa will be part of Team USA for Wellington’s CSIO4* Nations Cup on Feb. 29, along with Karl Cook, Callie Schott, and Mclain Ward.
“Riding for the USA is the biggest dream and the greatest honor,” said Little. “I’m extremely excited to do it here in my hometown, where I’ve been watching since I was a little girl.”
