Cydello is a new addition to the German rider's string; the pair edged Nicola Philippaerts with Derby de Riverland.
An enormous field of 72 entries tackled the WEF Challenge Cup Round 1, with the Irishman coming out on top.
The Lebanese rider started his season off with a victory aboard Quantum Cruise; top Canadian was Amy Millar with Don't Worry Farmer in 5th.
The popular Winter Equestrian Festival event saw the men's team win for just the 4th time in the class's 14-year history.
The facts behind the proposed expansion for Wellington, and a poll - are you for or against the development plans?
The German won the $500,000 Rolex CSI5* Grand Prix with Cepano Baloubet as he now heads for next week's World Cup Final in Omaha.
Canada's Tiffany Foster places 5th in the $146,000 Challenge Cup riding Hamilton as the last week of the season gets underway.
“She's like 15 out of 10 careful” said the Irish rider of Max Kühner's former mount that he only started riding at the beginning of the year.
The US rider took the $226,000 Horseware Ireland CSI4* at Wellington International over "definitely the biggest track she’s jumped.”
The Israeli rider once again led the victory gallop in the $425,000 Grand Prix, having last won this Week 9 class in 2019.