Wellington, Florida, USA – January 26, 2025 – Jacob Pope (USA) wasn’t short of good luck charms on Sunday with his parents and barn family supporting him ringside. Highlighting the final day of Week 3 at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), presented by NetJets, Pope topped the $62,500 Florida Coast Equipment Grand Prix CSI 2* with Highway FBH, owned by Sherri Crawford. Highlighted by 12 weeks of consecutive FEI competition, WEF continues through March 30 at Wellington International in Wellington, Florida, USA.

“This is my first win at WEF,” Pope, originally from Maryland but who now bases out of Wellington and Traverse City, MI, shared. “The best I’d done before was second in a WEF Challenge Cup so it’s really special to win, especially with such a great crowd of family and supporters here.”

The win didn’t come easy, though, as he was one of 10 to jump clear over Peter Grant’s (CAN) course. From top young riders to Olympians alike, it could have been anyone’s win, but Pope put the pedal to the metal aboard the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion (Plot Blue x Cornet Obolensky) and claimed the win. They stopped the clock over the short course in 40.19 seconds.

Last to go over the short course was Jessica Springsteen (USA) and she barely missed Pope’s leading time by three tenths of a second to take second aboard Naomi van het Keizershof, owned by Stone Hill Farm.

Gabriela Reutter (CHI) ended up third with Maharees Rock, owned by Lumiere Horses, registering no penalties in 41.25 seconds.

Among his cheering squad were his parents, his aunt, the horse’s owner, plus his group of students and barnmates who stayed to watch him top the competitive class. 

“I always joke that my mom and dad are my good luck charms,” Pope shared. “I won my first grand prix on my dad’s birthday and my second grand prix they were there. Now they’re here today and I won.”

Final Results – $62,500 Florida Coast Equipment Grand Prix CSI 2*

1) Jacob Pope (USA) & Highway FBH – 0 / 0 – 40.19

2) Jessica Springsteen (USA) & Naomi van het Keizershof – 0 / 0 – 40.41

3) Gabriela Reutter (CHI) & Maheeres Rock – 0 / 0 – 41.25

Source: Press Release from Wellington International

Photos: © Wellington International / Sportfot / Cassidy Klein

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