HH Callas Claims Equis Boutique Best Presented Horse Award at 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival
March 4, 2017 - Wellington, FL
Photo by Jump Media
HH Callas, ridden by three-time U.S. Olympic medalist McLain Ward, was named the Equis Boutique Best Presented Horse Award winner during the eighth week of competition at the 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, 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 8, sanctioned as a CSIO 4* by the FEI, was held Tuesday, February 28, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). The FEI Ground Jury, led by President David Distler (USA), evaluated the appearance and condition of the 127 horses presented and selected HH Callas, a ten-year-old Oldenburg mare (Albatros x Quattro B), as the Equis Boutique Best Presented Horse.
HH Callas was prepared for the horse inspection and FEI competition by Virginie Casterman. Both horse and groom are new additions to the Double H Farm team based out of Wellington, FL, and Ridgefield, CT. Casterman joined Ward’s team in January and HH Callas was purchased soon after from fellow U.S. grand prix competitors, Danielle and Jimmy Torano.
“I am really happy to win this award and to work with HH Callas,” said Casterman. “She’s pretty easygoing on the ground and is a really sweet horse. This is the first time I have won an award like this, but she makes my job easy. She is a chestnut so when she is really well-groomed, she shines so bright!”
Alongside Casterman and the rest of the team at Double H Farm, Lee McKeever manages the care of Ward’s horses.
“It is a great honor be acknowledged for the care of our horses and horsemanship in general,” said McKeever. “I think awards that reward people who put in the effort and care about the horses is huge. Virginie is a very hard-working person, she loves the horses, and puts a hundred percent into each one of them. She’s a great asset to the team.”
Casterman was recognized for the Equis Best Presented Horse Award with a commemorative vest while Ward was presented with 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.
