Cody Rego heads into his next wave of events on a high after winning the $10,000 Hermes Equitaion Championship at the Hampton Classic Horse Show.

Held from August 27-September 3, the Hampton Classic is one of the world’s most prestigious horse shows nad features competitors at every level from young children in leadline to Olympic, World, and World Cup Champions. It also has competitions for riders with disabilities.

Rego came out top of 21 equitation riders across two rounds aboard Ironman with his combined score of 180 points enough to bring home the win on a 15-effort, 1.10-1.20m track designed by Alan Wade.

After carrying the top score from the first round, Rego was last to return to the ring on his ten-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding and focused on putting in a smooth course within the time allowed.

“This class is a great opportunity for younger kids to get in the Grand Prix Ring and really show out there with the big guys,” Rego said.

“The course was a bit longer than a normal equitation course, so it really tested riders to make the time. Of course, there was a bit more pressure on the second round, which was tighter on time. I tried to pick up all the time that I could around my turns, and I just felt really comfortable out there.”

Judge Ralph Caristo was impressed with Rego’s skill in the saddle.

“The ride-off was nice as it separated the riders a bit with the way it was set up,” Caristo said.

“There were so many good riders and it was a close competition. Cody nailed it from fence one right to the end in both rounds, riding a very nice and smooth round just as an equitation class should be ridden.

“The class was very, very competitive. There were so many great riders it could have gone a lot of different ways, but it was Cody’s day, and we are very happy he did so well.”

Rego added this title to his victory in Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search 3, with Ironman’s owner Missy Clark, who runs North Run Stables, delighted with their achievements.

“Cody is a great kid and has been our working student,” Clark said.

“I bought Ironman for him at the beginning of the year with the plan that they would show together. I’ve known this horse for a while and he can be a little quirky, but Cody has done a great job bonding and forming their relationship.

“It’s such a great match, and the horse goes beautifully for him. Cody rides Ironman just the way the horse wants to be ridden, with a nice pace and connection, which sets up a gorgeous look.

“In this division, Cody’s position was just a beautiful picture – all the angles correct, the timing quite nice. It really is a great match between horse and rider.”

Rego is about to embark on a series of finals, including the Washington International Horseshow, with his points tally of 5,568 points ensuring he is ranked first when the competition begins on October 23.

The Bermudian will also contest the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat medal the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in October and the ASPCA Maclay Final Championships, one of the most coveted competitions in the US, at the National Horse Show, Kentucky Horse Park on November 4 and 5