Lorenzo de Luca Came, Saw, Rode & Conquered the $62,500 Hermès Classic CSI 5* at Wellington

Wellington, Florida, USA – February 09, 2025 – Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) only just arrived in Wellington and is already a winner, taking the top call in Sunday morning’s $62,500 Hermès Classic CSI 5* – 1.50m aboard Denver de Talma to close out Week 5 of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at Wellington International.

Out of 53 entries over Gregory Bodo’s (FRA) track, De Luca put in a clear round in a rather quick time to qualify for the jump-off in the Winning Round format. Close to the end of the order, he sealed the deal with the Louisburg Farm-owned Selle Français gelding (Vigo Cece x Canturo Bois Margot).

“This horse is my best horse,” de Luca said of Denver de Talma, turning 12 years old this year. “It’s definitely the best horse I’ve ridden in my entire career. I have really high hopes for him. He had a magnificent season last year.”

Though the horse has all the talent in the world to win a class like this, de Luca’s strategy wasn’t pure speed in the jump-off. 

“I didn’t want to go crazy to be honest since it’s his first show back [after Geneva], but he has such a natural big stride so I just used that stride to let him go a little bit more,” De Luca explained of how they managed to win the class. “In the first round I worked a little more on control. He felt amazing.”g to know him, but now [my goal is] the WEF Equitation Championship and hopefully some finals later in the season,” she continued.

Behind them in second place was Erynn Ballard (CAN) with Ginger ASK, owned by Ilan Ferder & Marigold Sporthorses.

Third place was claimed by Michael Duffy (IRL) and RMF Clinton Son, owned by Rushy Marsh Farm.

“We have had the horse for a little over a year now,” De Luca continued. “I took my time; he’s a special horse with lots of blood and his quality is incredible. We did our first five-star grand prix in May last year and from that moment on he’s grown so much into the sport. This was a good class to finish the week and WEF 7 he’ll do the WEF qualifier and five-star grand prix.”

De Luca plans to stay for the remainder of WEF and looks ahead to more weeks of CSI 5* competition to come. Bringing four horses for the circuit, he’ll be competitive across levels, but has especially high hopes for Denver de Talma as he continues to challenge the horse.

“My partnership with Louisburg Farm started two years ago so it’s a pleasure to be here and make my owner happy,” he said. “Today we saw that the horses are in very good condition so I’m looking forward to Week 7 now.”

Final Results – $62,500 Hermès Classic CSI 5* – 1.50m

1) Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) & Denver de Talma – 0 / 0 – 37.38

2) Erynn Ballard (CAN) & Ginger ASK – 0 / 0 – 37.43

3) Michael Duffy (IRL) & RMF Clinton Son – 0 / 0 – 38.13

Source: Press Release from Wellington International

Photos: © Wellington International / Sportfot / Cassidy Klein

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