Opening 2022 WEF Grand Prix Victory Goes to McLain Ward and Catoki

Wellington, FL – Premiere week at the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) concluded on Sunday, January 9, with a highlight class of the week, the $75,000 Rosenbaum PLLC Grand Prix. McLain Ward (USA) and Catoki took the victory in the class. Jumper, hunter, and equitation competition returns for WEF 1 on January 12-16, and WEF continues through April 9.
The Rosenbaum PLLC Grand Prix had 32 entries that contested a course set by Eric Hasbrouck (USA). Eight were clear to advance to the jump-off. First to return for the jump-off were Thursday’s Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup winners, Hector Florentino (DOM) and ABC Quantum Cruise, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by OBOS Quality x Cruising owned by Wyndmont. They set the time to beat at 37.677 seconds with a clear round.
Immediately following Florentino were Heather Caristo-Williams (USA) and Marciano MVF, owned by Stephanie Bulger. They were just off the pace in 38.339 seconds with a clear round, which left them in fourth place. Caristo-Williams was awarded with the Martha W. Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Award in memory of Dale Lawler.
Next into the ring were Michael Murphy and Catoki’s Son Z. They squeaked into the lead in 37.642 seconds by three-hundredths of a second with no faults, which would hold up for second place.
Murphy originally had the ride on Catoki’s Son Z in May. The horse was sold shortly thereafter but came back when the Ahearn family of Esperanza Imports LLC purchased the 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding at the end of the summer for Murphy to compete.
Four horses later in the jump-off, Ward and Catoki blazed through the jump-off in 36.008 seconds for victory.
Along with Catoki’s unique way of going, he also has an unusual program for a top show jumper. The little horse last competed at the Washington International Horse Show in October, where he won the speed final and tied for the puissance victory, and then lived in a field until five days ago.
Final Results: $75,000 Rosenbaum PLLC Grand Prix
1 CATOKI: 2009 Holsteiner gelding by Catoki x Coca Cola
MCLAIN WARD (USA), Marilla van Beuren, Bob Russell, & McLain Ward: 0/0/36.008
2 CATOKI’S SON Z: 2009 Zangersheide gelding by Catoki x Aldo Du Reverdy
MICHAEL MURPHY (USA), Esperanza Imports LLC: 0/0/37.642
3 ABC QUANTUM CRUISE: 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Obos Quality x Cruising
HECTOR FLORENTINO ROCA (DOM), Wyndmont: 0/0/37.677
4 MARCIANO MVF: 2011 Zangersheide gelding by Stakkato x Leberoi H
HEATHER CARISTO WILLIAMS (USA), Stephanie Bulger LLC: 0/0/38.339
5 JACKOFHEARTS: 2012 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Heartbeat x Brasilia S
MARGIE GOLDSTEIN-ENGLE (USA), Gladewinds Partners LLC: 0/4/39.531
6 H&M CARAT DESIRE: 2008 Holsteiner gelding by Carinjo x Moderne II
MCLAIN WARD (USA), Susan Heller & McLain Ward: 0/12/35.487
7 DISCO SUPERFLY: 2012 Oldenburg gelding by Catoki x Libelle
ALEX GRANATO (USA), The Bright Lights Group: 0/15/50.86
8 NOORTJE VD WINDHEUVEL: 2013 Belgian Warmblood mare by Farfelu de Muse x Calista van Dewindheuvel
MARK BLUMAN (COL), Over the Top Stables LLC: 0/17/56.265
9 BOSTON ASK: 2008 Hanoverian gelding by Berlin x Quidam de Revel
JORDAN COYLE (IRL), Elan Farm: 1/81.729
10 CANTUCCHINI: 2011 Oldenburg gelding by Cloney x Caprera
GRANT SEGER (USA), Grey Fox Crossing: 2/82.103
11 QUINTESSENCE: 2011 Holsteiner gelding by Quinar
DOUG PAYNE (USA), Jane Dudinsky: 2/82.818
12 AFTER EIGHT: 2010 Swedish Warmblood mare by Diarado x Coco
JAD DANA (LBN), Springhill Farm 1850 LLC: 4/74.819
WEF press | Photo McLain Ward and Catoki. ©Sportfot