Melissandre Lincourt, from Montreal, QC, and City Lights, owned by Darprin Enterprises LLC, set a high bar to beat Friday afternoon with one of the highest scores to be seen at the second week of the Winter Equestrian Festival. The pair were sixth under saddle, and third, fourth, first, and first over fences, topping the last two with an impressive 87 and a 90 from the judges in the Young Hunter 3’-3’6” division.
City Lights, a seven-year-old chestnut gelding, was recently leased by one of Lincourt’s clients, Candice Wagner, a young rider from Westmont, QC, and has made himself right at home in Lincourt’s program. WEF 2 marks his first time competing in the Young Hunter division.
“What he did today was beyond expectation,” said Lincourt. “We can’t ask for him to be much better than that.”
The Quebec native added that, in spite of his recent big win, “City” is still very green and will need some more mileage before doing anything more serious. For now, she hopes to continue showing him in the Young Hunter 3’-3’6” division while Wagner competes with him in the Adult Hunter Younger 18-35 division.
“Considering how green he is, we are going to focus on consistency,” said Lincourt. “Candice is going to hopefully try to qualify for the [$5,000 WCHR Peggy Cone] Adult Hunter Classic [during] WEF 6 and then we hope to move [City] into the [Green Hunter division] so that maybe he can eventually qualify for the [Green Hunter] Incentive Program.”
Reserve honors went to Hunter Kay, from Charlotte, NC, aboard Fearless, owned by Emily Durlatch. The duo took a first, fifth, and seventh over fences with a first under saddle in the Young Hunter 3’-3’6” division.
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