Lauren Hough Wins the $25,000 WEF Challenge Cup on Thursday at Winter Equestrian Festival

Wellington, FL – February 6, 2003 – The $25,000 WEF Challenge Cup today had 38 horses competing at the Winter Equestrian Festival. The win went to Windy City and Olympian Lauren Hough of Wellington, Florida. A total of 7 competitors made it to the jump-off round. And there were only 2 horses with clean rounds in the timed jump-off. Lauren and Windy City were faster than second-placed Constantin with German rider Markus Beerbaum. Third place went to the fastest horse with 4 faults in the jump-off, Allegiance, ridden by Laura Kraut from Wisconsin.

Lauren Hough and Windy City also won the $35,000 Grand Prix of Palm Beach on Sunday, February 26, which was the first Grand Prix competition of the series at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington.

In the hunter rings today, Chopard, a nine year old gelding owned by Krista Weisman of Sherborn, Massachussetts was Champion in the Regular Conformation Hunter Division. Scott Stewart is the trainer and rode him to the victory. Chopard is off to an excellent start as he was also Champion the first week of hunter competition at the Winter Equestrian Festival (the 2nd week had only jumper competition) and Chopard has been Champion 2 of 2 times. Next week is the World Hunter Classic week and Krista will ride Chopard in the Small Junior Hunters.

Scott Stewart was also Champion in the Regular Working Hunters with Prove It who is owned by Mimi Tashjian.