The eventers invaded the International Ring at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on Saturday night, as PRO DerbyCross took center stage before the $30,000 Hermes Puissance. It was good fun, each team had three eventers, one show jumper and one polo player. They jumped three similar, modified courses. Everyone was really game, show jumpers Laura Kraut and Katie Prudent were recruited to jump the solid fences and both not only had a blast – they looked like they knew what they were doing!
 

The Puissance was fantastic, it came down to the Venezuelans, and they were wired for sound – they could have called it even at 7 feet, but instead they came back at 7’3”. Pablo Barrios won on a seven- year-old, appropriate as his backers, G&C Farm have been unbelievably generous sponsoring the horse show, including as presenters of the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup on Friday.
 

It was great fun to see all the eventers, and the night was a huge success for everyone involved. Sunday morning and there were some bleary faces around the horse show. It has been a long few days, and two night classes meant for some slower moving feet and minds around the grounds.
We are now watching the $150,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix, the track is big and very tough. Whoever wins is going to certainly earn the money today.
 

Overheard around WEF:
“If you could go to the bank and get me some of those green bags filled with money that would be great.”
Kiki Umla (who runs the International Tent when asked if she needed anything from off the venue)
“I want to do that.” Olympic Eventing veteran Karen O’Connor about the Puissance
“That was so fun; I would do that anytime they asked me.” Katie Prudent about the DerbyCross