Proceeds of the event benefit critical programming at Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club in Wellington, Florida.
World-renowned athletes and supporters were spotted at EyeCandyLand in Wellington on February 7 for the 2022 World Championship Equestrian Triathlon. The event, held in honor of Neil Hirsch, the longtime supporter of the Wellington Boys & Girls Club who passed away in June, raised a record-breaking $379,000 to support Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club.
The event kicked off the day before, with the recreated and one-night-only “Players Club” pre-event on February 6. “I think we threw the best pre-event that Wellington has ever seen in honor of Neil. We were able to finish the triathlon with all of our celebrity athletes in the nick of time before the rain,” Chairman Kathleen Gannon says.
“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,” she adds. “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 began with celebrity Kerstie Allen of Yellow Stone. She rode her horse and waved the American flag with the national anthem sung by local celebrity Tom Blake. Guests enjoyed a delicious lunch provided by Ford’s Garage, while cocktails were provided by Maxwell Plum Restaurant. Music and entertainment 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. Their lineup included 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 of team Major League Show Jumping, who tied with Emma Marlowe of team Trelawny. In addition to winning best dressage performance, team Trelawny won best horse from Helgstrand Dressage, presented by Olga Harfock and Sariah Hopkins of Showplus.
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 Ford’s Garage. Team members 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 Flanagan, Bliss Heers, and Louisa-Marcelle Eadie. They competed with team Eye-Candy, featuring Nacho Figueras, Paul O’Shea, and Kendal Cox, who 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 Ford’s Garage competed against each other. The score tied – then Paul O’Shea took the win with the last goal advancing him to the finals against team Sebilion.
The final match was a competitive game, 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. The 2022 Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Valencia Jean also made her presence, after a heartfelt speech of how the Wellington Club had changed her life.
