Saturday’s featured class during the final week of the Winter Equestrian Festival was the FEI $500,000 CSI 5* Rolex Grand Prix - a featured event that highlights some of the best horse and rider combinations in the world. This year there was a threat of rain, but luckily mother nature had other plans and the focus was on 40 skilled pairs and the only sound of thunder was from the horses’ hooves gliding over the picturesque derby field.

The course was a true test of speed, finesse and strength and resulted in a jump-off field of only 5 contenders for the 5* purse and trophy. Israel’s Ashlee Bond and Daniel Bluman, no strangers to top finishes were true to form and came in first and second place followed by the US rider Chloe Reid. Thanks to Wellington International, Rolex and all of the sponsors and fans - it was a great show of sportsmanship and love for horse sport.

The Tech Equestrian had the chance to capture some of the action with the following photos.

Final Results: $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI5* 

1. KAROLINE OF BALLMORE: 2010 Belgian Warmblood mare by Diarado x Convento Van De Helle
ASHLEE BOND (ISR), Ashlee Bond Showjumping & Gladewind Partners: 0/0/44.09

2. LADRIANO Z: 2008 Zangersheide gelding by Lawito x Baloubet du Rouet
DANIEL BLUMAN (ISR), Over the Top Stables LLC: 0/0/44.29

3. SOUPER SHUTTLE: 2011 Hanoverian mare by Stakkato x La Zarras 2
CHLOE REID (USA), Live Oak Plantation LLC: 0/0/47.63

4. LEGACY: 2010 Zangersheide mare by Chippendale Z x Bon Ami
DANIEL COYLE (IRL), Ariel Grange: 0/4/43.88

5. QUIBELLE: 2009 Hanoverian mare by FRH Quaid x Stakkato
SPENCER SMITH (USA), Gotham Enterprizes LLC: 0/4/45.68

6. DAVIDOFF DE LASSUS: 2009 Belgian Sport Horse stallion by Ugano Sitte x Ksar Sitte
ZOE CONTER (BEL), Stephex Stables: 1/87.11

7. GINGER-BLUE: 2011 KWPN mare by Plot Blue x Royal Bravour
BEN MAHER (GBR), Jane Forbes Clark: 4/82.92

8. GREAT-TIKILA J: 2011 KWPN mare by Carosso VDL x Nabab de Reve
DARRAGH KENNY (IRL), HKC Collection LLC, LLC: 4/83.71

9. FIGOR: 2010 KWPN gelding by VDL Groep Zagreb x Indoctro
TIFFANY FOSTER (CAN), Artisan Farms LLC: 4/84.18

10. KILLER QUEEN VDM: 2010 Belgian Warmblood mare by Eldorado vd Zeshoek x For Pleasure
DANIEL DEUSSER (GER), Stephex Stables: 4/85.06

11. JAMES KANN CRUZ: 2013 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Kannan
SHANE SWEETNAM (IRL), Gizmo Partners LLC: 4/85.85

12. CONTAGO: 2011 Oldenburg gelding by Cornet Obolensky x Cassini II
EUGENIO GARZA PEREZ (MEX), El Milagro: 4/85.95