Warrant wins WEF Grand Prix

After only ten days in the irons of 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion Warrant, Mexico’s Alberto Michan topped 19 pairs to win the $25,000 Suncast® 1.50m Classic Saturday afternoon. Michan recently took over the reins for owner Ilan Ferder Stables and will pilot Warrant throughout WEF.

Seven horses advanced to the second round where five produced double-clear efforts. Heather Caristo-Williams (USA) and Qui Vive Des Songes Z posted an immediate clear in 38.72 seconds. Two trips later, Michan beat her by nearly three seconds and put down the unbeatable time in 35.86 seconds. Paris Sellon (USA) returned sixth and did her best to catch Michan, but was fractions too slow for second place aboard her own Adare in 35.93 seconds. Caristo-Williams settled for third for Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Caristo.

Abdel Said (BEL) and Luron S Z Abdel jumped to fourth for AS Sport Horses & Philippe De Balanda BVBA, while Doda De Miranda (BRA) capped the top five on AD Cornetto K for A.A. De Miranda Neto & Victory Equestrian Sport BV.

In general, Michan admits the first week of WEF could not have gone better for Ilan Ferder Stables.

“We had the best week we could ever dream of – all clear rounds all week long. Then to win the big class we planned to do; it’s fantastic,” he said. “I have a great team and a set of horses who I think can jump anywhere in the world. I am very excited for this year, and I hope it keeps going like this.”

After a short introduction, Michan has already formed a bond with Warrant.

“I think he was happy with me. I felt him really listening and trying for me,” he said. “He has a great mind and all the scope to turn tight to a fence and jump from wherever he stands.”

Michan and Ilan Ferder Stables will take a break during Week 2 and will compete again during the Adequan® CSI 3*, which kicks off on January 27.

“There are many big classes here, so it’s a good thing I have three nice horses to jump the grand prix (classes) with. We don’t want to burn them,” said Michan who will also ride aboard Ferder’s Czardas Z and Baronez throughout WEF.

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