The World Champion Equestrian Triathlon kicked off with a force of high voltage energy as supporters came out to honor the memory of Neil S. Hirsch at a recreated and one-night-only “Players Club” pre-event on Sunday, February 6. World-renowned athletes and supporters came out once again on Monday, February 7 at EyeCandyLand in Wellington, Fla. for the 2022 World Championship Equestrian Triathlon to support Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club, raising a record-breaking $379,000. The entire event was held in honor of Neil Hirsch, the longtime supporter of the Wellington Boys & Girls Club who passed away in June.
“I think we threw the best pre-event that Wellington has ever seen in honor Neil. We were able to finish the triathlon with all of our celebrity athletes in the nick of time before the rain,” said Chairman Kathleen Gannon. “I truly believe the drizzles were Neil’s tears of joy that we continued his legacy in such a magnificent way to make him proud. I can’t thank our sponsors, our athletes, our horses, our volunteers and our community enough. This event changes lives for our boys and girls and it’s an honor to be a part of it every year! I love that our athletes all have smiles from ear to ear while providing for kids in the community.”
The 2022 World Champion Equestrian Triathlon kicked off with celebrity Kerstie Allen of Yellow Stone riding her horse and waving the American flag with the national anthem sung by local celebrity Tom Blake. Guests enjoyed a delicious lunch provided by Fords Garage and cocktails provided by Maxwell Plum Restaurant. Music was provided by DJ Lexey.
Leading into the jumping section of the triathlon, Nic Roldan with team Sebilion and Nacho Figueras with team Eye-Candy came in with a head-to-head win. Chairman Kathleen Gannon-Ledsome alongside sponsor Jennifer Shecter of Bainbridge, presented the showjumping winning horse to team Sebilion including Vanessa Mannix, Nic Roldan, Olexa Celine and captain Grade de la Gueronniere.
Shortly after, the dressage competition began with Paul O’Shea and Nacho Figueras sporting hot pink wigs for team Eye-Candy. The athletes danced to the rhythm of the beat with their horses. Robert Ross and Katherine Bateson awarded the best dressage performance to Bliss Heers with team Major League Show Jumping who tied with Emma Marlowe with team Trelawny. In addition to winning best dressage performance, team Trewlawny won best horse from Helgstrand Dressage presented by Olga Harfock and Sariah Hopkins of Showplus powered by Captive one.
After the dressage show, the competition moved to the polo field with Tony Capollo and Kris Kampsen as the announcers for the game. In the first game, team Trewlany competed against team Fords Garage where Daniel Bluman, Katherine Coleman and Delfina Blaquier, took the lead by three goals and advanced to the semifinals. The second game included team Major League Show Jumping featuring Pamela Flanigan, Bliss Heers and Louisa-Marcelle Eadie versus team Eye-Candy featuring Nacho Figueras, Paul O’Shea and Kendal Cox. Team Eye-Candy took the lead and advanced to the semifinals. The semifinals was an intense competition where husband Nacho Figueras with team Eye-Candy and wife Delfina Blaquier with team Fords Garage competed against each other. The score tied and Paul O’Shea took the win with the last goal advancing him to the finals against team Sebilion.
The final match was a competitive match as team Sebilion played aggressively against team Eye-Candy. Team Eye-Candy took the victory as Paul O’Shea won the final goal to seal them as the Gold winner for the 2022 World Equestrian Triathlon.
Team Sebilion took the Silver award and team Trewlany took the Bronze award. All awards were presented by children from Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club, including the 2022 Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Valencia Jean, after a heartfelt speech of how the Wellington Club has changed her life.
The title sponsor for this year’s event was Eye-Candy. Other sponsors included Sebilion, Trelawny Farm, ShowPlus powered by CaptiveOne, BlackWatch, Bainbridge Companies, Brownington Foundation, Neiman Marcus, Publix Charites, Everglades Farming Equipment, PNC Bank, Louise Armour of JP Morgan, Joe Di Maggio Children’s Hospital, Sant Ambroeus Restaurant and Lamborghini, Hon. Danielle Moore, DLP Capital Partners, Polo Gear, Fleur-de-Lis International Realty, Major League Show Jumping, Ford’s Garage, Maxwell’s Plum Restaurant, Helgstrand Dressage, Fine Jewelry, Gavi Home, Green Team Solutions, Lynne and Richard Kaiser Family Foundation, Lamborghini Palm Beach, Palm Beach Equine Clinic, ESPN, Party Tyme, Khanna Connections, Sauci Style and La Concierge by Marie.
Click on the button below to see Horse Network’s wrap-up video of this fun and exciting event:
Click the button below to see Horse Network’s interview with Dressage Trainer Louisa Marcelle Eadie:
Click the button below to see Horse Network’s interview with Equestrian Jumper Daniel Bluman:
Click the button below to see Horse Network’s interview with Polo Player Nic Roldan:
Click the button below to view WPTV’s preview coverage of the event:
