Checkpoint U and Hilton van de Breepoel Claim Equis Boutique Best Presented Horse Awards

Checkpoint U, ridden by Katie Dinan (USA), received the Equis Boutique Best Presented Horse Award during the sixth week of competition at the 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL, while Hilton van de Breepoel, ridden by Brittni Raflowitz (USA), claimed the same honor at the HITS CSIO4* in Ocala, FL.

Equis Boutique, a luxury tack and apparel shopping experience, is sponsoring the Best Presented Horse Award at each International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Horse Inspection held throughout the 12-week WEF, as well as at other FEI-sanctioned events throughout the United States.

The FEI Horse Inspection for WEF 6, sanctioned as a CSI3* event, was held Tuesday, February 14, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The FEI Ground Jury, headed by President Ralph Alfano, evaluated the appearance and condition of horses jogging for FEI competition and acknowledged the work of Checkpoint U’s groom Alice Krämer.

“This is Checkpoint U’s first time at the jog this year, so to be instantly recognized is exciting,” said Dinan, 23, of the 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Casall x Lorentin I) owned by Grant Road Partners. “When you go to a big show, the jog itself is an event, and it is important that everyone puts their best foot forward. It is not only about presenting your horse for soundness, but it is a moment to look professional and be recognized as such. I appreciate Equis [Boutique] going out of its way to recognize how the horse is presented and the job our grooms are doing; they are an integral part of the team.”

“I appreciate this a lot,” said Krämer of winning her first Equis Boutique Best Presented Horse Award. “It is very nice to get something for all the hours we put into the horses; a lot of early mornings and late nights. It definitely means a lot.”

The CSIO4* horse inspection at HITS Ocala took place on Wednesday, February 15, at HITS Post Time Farm. The FEI Ground Jury, led by President Flora Baptiston of Brazil, selected Hilton van de Breepoel, owned by ESI Show Jumpers, as the Best Presented Horse.

The win marked the second Equis Boutique Best Presented Horse Award for Raflowitz and groom Carlos Juarez. Hilton van de Breepoel, a ten-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Contact van de Heffinck x Opium), also won the award at the 2016 Tryon Spring 7 CSI3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, NC.

“I was quite surprised to win this time because it is Nations’ Cup week here and all the teams are in town,” said 21-year-old Raflowitz. “It is quite an honor for me and Carlos. He has been with me for almost four years and does everything so well. He was with me coming out of my junior years into my professional career.”

Of his second Equis Best Presented Horse Award, Juarez said, “I am always trying my best to make the horse look and feel good, so this is a nice award. I like everything about him, and he already looks good so I try to keep him feeling that way. He is a really special horse.”

For the Equis Best Presented Award, Krämer and Juarez both received a commemorative Best Presented Horse vest while Dinan and Raflowitz received a $100 gift certificate to Equis Boutique.

Equis Boutique is a shopping experience for the discerning equestrian and offers the most convenient and luxurious choice for top equine brands to dress both the horse and rider. Featured brands available at Equis Boutique include Dy’on, euro-star®, Flex-On, KASK, Kentucky Horsewear, Kingsland Equestrian, Manfredi Equestrian, Parlanti, and Theria Bits.

Visit Equis Boutique throughout WEF in the Vendor Village at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. For more information, please visit EquisBoutique.com, or look for Equis Boutique on Facebook and Instagram!  Email info@equisboutique.com for questions on the stores and their products.