WELLINGTON, Fla.--Marilyn Little on Narado won the $62,500, CSI5* Speed over a field of 48 on Friday, March 6 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Marilyn Little on Narado (Photo by Sportfot)This was Little's eighth international top three finish at WEF.

“In January, a 1.50m seemed like a dream,” said Little.  “Today was a big step up, and to see Norado be that quick over a big track from a difficult designer like Alan Wade is fantastic and proves how smart the horse is.”

Little was fastest by half a second, finishing in 67.98 to beat Charlotte Jacobs on Rincoola Milsean, who finished clean in 68.62.

Jonathan McCrea on Jannan S finished third in 70.88 seconds. 

In the 8-year-old gelding’s first five-star outing, Narado added a second top three finish in as many days after finishing third in Wednesday’s opening CSI5* 1.45m.

 

“I’VE HAD HIM since June, so I know him very well, and he had a great start from a lot of good riders, but this week was still a big ask,” said Little. “He will head straight to the paddock now for a rest, and I’d love to be able to use him as a second horse later in the summer."

“He came into himself at the beginning of the circuit and grew up in January, and every time he goes in the ring, he tries his heart out,” said Little. “He doesn’t know what he can’t jump, and he jumps it all incredibly.”

Narado is owned by the Morcombe Lempera Family, and one day 17-year-old Victoria Morcombe Lempera will take over the ride.

"They have been fantastic supporters of mine, and this was always meant to be Victoria’s horse,” said Little of the long-term plan for Narado.

Little was also a member of the victorious U.S team in the Nations Cup a week earlier, so  she is having a very successful season. 

“This season is like a dream for me,” she said.

Following the Speed, Philippa Ammann on Zarina De Vidau won the $10,000, CSI2* Speed.

Trent McGee on In The Stars was second and Jacqueline Ruyle on Fini L’amour wasa third..