John French Secures First $100,000 USHJA WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular Victory with Milagro
Wellington, Fla.—Feb. 19, 2023—Leading the field of the country’s best Hunters from start to finish, John French and Kent Farrington LLC’s Milagro were the convincing winners in the $100,000 USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular on Saturday, February 18, at the 2023 Winter Equestrian Festival.
While French has numerous accolades to his name, including seven WCHR Professional Challenges, this particular title had eluded him until now. As the last to go in the First Round over the Patrick Rhodes-designed track, French and Milagro’s performance earned the high score of 94. In the Handy Round, which featured a downward transition to the trot to change direction and long gallops across the Wellington International Arena, they were equally as impressive, scoring a 93.5 for a 187.5 total.
“Before I went in for the second round, I knew there were a lot of good rounds before me,” explained French, who is originally from California and now bases in Wellington, Florida. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to make that inside turn to the second to last jump because Milagro isn’t always that easy to steer. I saw everybody was doing so well, so I thought I needed to do it.”
Milagro joined French’s string about a year ago after French’s business partner, U.S. Olympic show jumper Kent Farrington, found the horse in Europe. Upon arriving stateside, French showed the now 8-year-old Hanoverian gelding only twice in smaller divisions before moving him straight up to the High Performance classes.
“He’s a very relaxed horse,” shared French of his mount. “He’s my favorite horse to get on first when I get to the barn at 7:30 in the morning for that reason. I mostly ride him on the track and out on the field, and it’s wonderful to have a horse like that. I wasn’t sure what the judges would think tonight, but I was really happy with him.”
Second place went to 2022 USHJA WCHR Central Hunter Spectacular winner Augusta Iwasaki, of Calabasas, California, riding in only her third competition as an Amateur, having graduated from the Junior ranks after the 2022 season. She piloted Small Love, owned by Iwasaki & Reilly, to a two-round total of 184.49. Iwasaki was in second after notching a score of 90.83 in round one and held onto her spot with an expertly ridden second round, scoring 93.66.
“I thought she jumped really beautifully throughout the whole course and even better in the second round than she did in the first round,” commented Iwasaki of the 10-year-old Hanoverian mare that previously had a career in the jumper ring. “I was really happy with how she trotted after the vertical because I thought that could be a little difficult, but she was really good.”
Winner of the WCHR Professional Final and the USHJA WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular in 2022, Nick Haness, completed the top three with Queen Celeste, a 12-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Glade Run Farm LLC. He also broke the 90 barrier with scores of 90.33 and 90.08 for a two-round total of 180.41.
“I’m super proud to be here and representing the West Coast,” said Haness, who hails from Temecula, California. “Making an effort to be here for this class is important, because the best of the best are here this week to compete. The atmosphere brings out the best in the horses. I think Queen Celeste came out tonight and knew it was a special event. She feels it, and she was just really phenomenal tonight.”
All three riders expressed how important the WCHR program is to their riding careers, how they plan out their show schedules and how it helps them set goals for the year.
“We don’t have to go to a lot of shows; we just pick WCHR shows and work towards that,” stated French. “It used to be people going for points, but now people want to go for WCHR shows because they are the best shows and the best run and give the best to the horses and the owners.”
“You really notice the difference in the trainers and riders and how they prepare the horses for the main events to try to show your horse at the best it can go,” added Haness.
While Iwasaki agreed, she also highlighted the importance of having a special class in the hunter classic format.
“It’s a very nice opportunity for really great division horses,” she said. “There are a lot of derbies that you can take your derby horses to, but there are not a lot of classes like this where you can really showcase your division horses.”
Riders earning champion or reserve champion in the 3'6" and higher rated WCHR hunter sections qualified for the Spectacular, with additional riders qualifying based on the section's overall results if qualified riders chose not to compete or were pre-qualified. In addition, riders also qualified based on their 2022 standings in the WCHR national awards programs.
The class was scored by three panels of two judges, including Chris Wynne and T Whitehead; Mark Jungherr and Tom Brennan; and Mary Lisa Leffler and Mary Eufemia. The 12 top-scoring horse-and-rider combinations then returned for a second round.
Earning the highest combined score, French and Milagro won $30,000 in prize money, the Dark Continent Perpetual Trophy courtesy of Jim Greene, a custom WCHR jacket and a cooler. As the winning rider, French also received the Let's Dance Perpetual Trophy donated by Gene R. Mische.
Numerous special awards were also presented throughout the night. The WCHR Peter Wetherill Cup was presented to Marnell Sport Horses' Babylon as the WCHR Hunter of the Year. Longtime Competition Manager and Chief Operating Officer of Wellington International, David Burton Jr. was awarded the Kavar Kerr Perpetual Trophy for his dedication, leadership and commitment to the Hunter sport and the WCHR program.
Gratitude, ridden by Christopher Payne and owned by Provence, LLC, received the Charlie Weaver Memorial Award for the highest-scoring Conformation Hunter in Round 1 with a score of 89.25. Pavlova, ridden by Havens Schatt and owned by John & Stephanie Ingram, LLC, was presented with the Mark Gregory Award, established by Susie Humes, for the best-conditioned horse in Round 1. The WCHR Kiara Barnett Rider Style Award, donated by Davlyn Farms and Meralex Farms, was awarded to Payne.
Other special awards presented included the week's high-score honors:
- Professional - Scott Stewart and Geoffrey Hesslink, 93
- Developing Professional and the Champion Equine Insurance Trophy - Katie Cooper, 89
- Amateur-Owner 3'6" - Augusta Iwasaki, 95
- Amateur-Owner 3'3" - Callie Seaman and Cassidy Rein, 92
- Junior 3'6" - Clara Propp, 93
- Junior 3'3" - Mimi Maddock, 90
- Adult Amateur - Libbie Gordon and Callie Seaman, 92
The International Club was once again the site of the annual Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular Gala, offering patrons the best seats to watch the evening's activities and support the USHJA. With a portion of the proceeds benefitting the USHJA Horseman's Assistance Fund, which provides emergency financial support to equestrians, as well as the WCHR program, the gala raised more than $100,000.
Two more WCHR Spectaculars will be held across the country in 2023. The $100,000 WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular will be held on Friday, March 17 at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California. The WCHR Central Hunter Spectacular will be held on Saturday, June 24 at Flintfields Horse Park in Williamsburg, Michigan.
The USHJA sends special thanks to the entire Wellington International team for hosting the Spectacular and to Official Sponsors CWD, Exhibitor's, Nutrena and Parlanti for their support.
For more information about the USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider Program, visit ushja.org/WCHR.
Release: Jump Media and USHJA
Photos: Jump Media, Sportfot and Tricia Booker/USHJA
$100,000 USHJA WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular Results
Horse, Rider, Owner
Round 1 Avg. | Round 2 Avg. | Final Score
1. Milagro, John French, Kent Farrington LLC
94 | 93.5 | 187.5
2. Small Love, Augusta Iwasaki, Iwasaki & Reilly
90.83 | 93.66 | 184.49
3. Queen Celeste, Nick Haness, Glade Run Farm LLC
90.33 | 90.08 | 180.41
4. Cadouch Z, Victoria Colvin, Amy Hassinger
86.66 | 92.83 | 179.49
5. Paradigm, John French, Meredith Lipke
90.16 | 87 | 177.16
6. Gratitude, Christopher Payne, Provence LLC
89.25 | 87.33 | 176.58
7. Pavlova, Havens Schatt, John & Stephanie Ingram, LLC
88.41 | 87.66 | 176.07
8. Epic Style, Brady Mitchell, Rein Family LLC
86.5 | 88.66 | 175.16
9. Caristo, Kristy Herrera, John & Stephanie Ingram, LLC
87 | 88 | 175
10. For Always, Scott Stewart, Dr. Betsee Parker
86.41 | 85 | 171.41
11. Can Can, Christopher Payne, Stephanie Ring
89 | 82.33 | 171.33
12. Jenkins, Nick Haness, Glade Run Farm LLC
88.91 | 37.33 | 126.24
