Heather Caristo-Williams Takes First Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Title of the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival

Wellington, FL – Heather Caristo-Williams won the first Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider title of the 13-week Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) running January 5 through April 3, 2022, in Wellington, FL.
Caristo-Williams of Saugerties, NY, accumulated the highest number of points among all female athletes competing in the $35,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Premiere Round on Thursday, January 6, and the $75,000 Rosenbaum PLLC Grand Prix held on Sunday, January 9.  Riding Marciano MVF, a 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Stakkato x Leberoi H) owned by Stephanie Bulger, Caristo-Williams finished 11th in Thursday’s competition before jumping double clear to place fourth in Sunday’s Grand Prix.
“This has been a dream of mine for a really long time,” said Caristo-Williams, 43, of winning her first Leading Lady title.  “I’ve seen so many amazing women win this, and I am just so honored to win it myself for the first time.  I’ve always watched and imagined that I would be here someday.  It’s really special to achieve it.
“My horses have been phenomenal this whole week,” continued Caristo-Williams.  “I could not have been happier with them.  I am so excited that everything lined up this week and I was able to be presented with an award like this.  I am so thankful for Stephanie Bulger, my parents, my husband, and, of course, Martha for presenting this award.”

Jump Media Equestrian World (c) | Photo by Jump Media – Heather Caristo-Williams (left) is presented as the Leading Lady Rider by Martha Jolicoeur (center) and Dr. Stephen Norton during the Winter Equestrian Festival Premier Week on Sunday, January 9, in Wellington, FL.