Teamwork and Charity Take Center Stage in $100,000 Hunt Team Exhibition

Community, collaboration, and competition came together Friday night at Wellington International as hunter riders contested the third annual $100,000 Hunt Team Exhibition Stake in support of the Neil S. Hirsch Boys & Girls Club of Wellington.

A Unique Team Format Takes Center Stage

Thirteen teams composed of professional, amateur, and junior riders entered the International Arena for the showcase event, navigating a 3’3” course designed to reward accuracy, rhythm, and partnership. The relay-style format required each rider to complete a designated portion of the 20-fence track, placing equal importance on individual execution and team cohesion.

Scoring System Keeps Standings Tight

Judges evaluated each round from three separate panels, with the scores combined to determine overall team totals. One score from each trio was dropped, allowing teams to offset a single lower performance and keeping the competition close throughout the evening.

Consistency Secures the Win

Steady performances across all three phases proved decisive for Brianne Goutal-Marteau of Royal Palm Beach, Florida, Irene Neuwirth of Culver City, California, and junior rider Lilly Herzog of Pepper Pike, Ohio. Herzog delivered the highest score of the night, earning a 90 aboard Tiebreaker in what marked a relatively new partnership. Neuwirth followed closely with an 89 on Holland Park, helping secure the team’s overall victory.

Podium Finishes Round Out the Night

The runner-up position went to Julie Hogan aboard Quixotic, Zara Humayun riding Cardinal, and Sarah Duhon with Sugarland, who produced consistent efforts across the course. Third place honors were claimed by Michael Britt-Leon on True Casini, Kelly Sims with Simply Spectacular, and Marlene Holland aboard Edesa’s Donovan, earning the event’s signature yellow sashes.

Competition With a Cause

Beyond the sport, the Hunt Team Exhibition continues to serve as a meaningful platform for supporting local youth initiatives while highlighting the depth of talent within the hunter divisions. Once again, the event delivered an engaging blend of top-level competition, sportsmanship, and community impact under the Friday night lights at Wellington International.

Photo courtesy of ©Sportfot