Eleanor Pieters Rides to Victory in $20,000 1.30m Grand Prix at Fieldstone Show Park

Halifax, MA - June 22, 2025 - Eleanor Pieters closed out the week at Fieldstone Show Park with a major win in the $20,000 1.30m Grand Prix, sponsored by GGT Footing, riding Wikarla Van Den Bosrand Z to a double-clear victory in a time of 35.021 seconds. Finishing less than half a second behind was Aidan Kennedy aboard Barney Rubble, also double clear in 35.432 seconds. Pieters returned for the final podium position as well, riding Ares Ter Wilgen Z to a clear time of 35.486 seconds, securing both first and third.

“My two horses go quite differently, but the course really allowed me to ride each of them the way they needed,” said Pieters. “Especially with the Table II, Section A/B format, it gave me the flexibility to trust each one’s strengths.”

The first round course challenged riders with a series of bending lines and two combinations, requiring careful track planning and consistent rhythm. The jump-off began with a single fence, rolled back across the center line, and continued with a combination, followed by two technical rollbacks to close out the class.

Pieters’ winning mount, Wikarla Van Den Bosrand Z, also known as ‘Karla,’ proved particularly suited to the jump-off format. “She is so careful that I could really meet each jump at a gallop and have complete trust in her,” she explained. “We’ve had her for about a year and a half now, and I’m just so grateful for her.”

Her third-place partner, Ares Ter Wilgen Z, affectionately called Harry, is a newer ride for Pieters. “He was also incredible today, and only 0.4 seconds off the lead. I couldn’t be happier with both horses!”

The Grand Prix capped off a standout week for Pieters, who also celebrated a special milestone with family. “It’s been such a successful week at Fieldstone,” she said. “The facility is so well run, and it’s amazing to have a show like this so close to home. A real highlight was getting to ride to first and second with my mom in the derby on Saturday, it’s a week I’ll never forget.”

We’re already looking ahead to more action as Fieldstone returns in July for the Head Of The Bay show, July 23-July 27, featuring a thrilling weekend of top-notch horse showing. Stay tuned and follow along on social media or visit FieldstoneShowPark.com for schedules, updates, and more. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back!