Zippo Z Claims Second Equis Boutique Best Presented Horse Award at 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival
March 18, 2017 - Wellington, Florida
Photo by Jump Media
Zippo Z, ridden by Freddie Vazquez of Puerto Rico, was named the Equis Boutique Best Presented Horse Award recipient for the second time at the 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL.
Having also claimed the title during week four of WEF, Zippo Z, a 14-year-old bay Zangersheide stallion (Zandor Z x Rebel I Z), was again named the Best Presented Horse for week ten. It marks the fourth time that Vazquez and his groom, Arnulfo Novoa, have claimed the tittle in total, having also won two Equis Best Presented Horse Awards during the 2016 WEF with Esprit de Vie.
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 week ten, designated as a CSI3* by the FEI, was held Tuesday, March 14, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). Led by President Oliver Kennedy (USA), the FEI Ground Jury evaluated the appearance and condition of 168 horses jogging for FEI competition, and once again rewarded the work of Vazquez’s Messenger Hill Farm, based out of Mettawa, IL, by naming Zippo Z as the Equis Best Presented Horse.
“I take a lot of pride in overall health as my number one priority, as well as the horse’s happiness, but you also have to come out looking right and turned out well,” said Vazquez. “I come from the George Morris days, and Chris Kappler is my mentor. We run that kind of program; feed the best feed and give them the best possible care we can, from veterinary care to supplements.
“It is an honor to win here because there are some incredible programs in Wellington,” continued Vazquez. “They are some of the best in the world, so for us to win this for the fourth time is a true honor and a testament to what we do at Messenger Hill Farm.”
Novoa, who has been part of the team at Messenger Hill Farm for three years, noted, “It feels pretty good to be able to show off your work and be rewarded for it like this.”
Novoa was recognized for the Equis Best Presented Horse Award with a commemorative vest, while Vazquez 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.