Heather Caristo-Williams Takes First Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Title of the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival
January 9, 2022 - Wellington, FL
Photo by Jump Media
Heather Caristo-Williams won the first Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider title of the 13-week Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) running January 5 through April 3, 2022, in Wellington, FL.
Caristo-Williams of Saugerties, NY, accumulated the highest number of points among all female athletes competing in the $35,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Premiere Round on Thursday, January 6, and the $75,000 Rosenbaum PLLC Grand Prix held on Sunday, January 9. Riding Marciano MVF, a 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Stakkato x Leberoi H) owned by Stephanie Bulger, Caristo-Williams finished 11th in Thursday’s competition before jumping double clear to place fourth in Sunday’s Grand Prix.
“This has been a dream of mine for a really long time,” said Caristo-Williams, 43, of winning her first Leading Lady title. “I’ve seen so many amazing women win this, and I am just so honored to win it myself for the first time. I’ve always watched and imagined that I would be here someday. It’s really special to achieve it.
“My horses have been phenomenal this whole week,” continued Caristo-Williams. “I could not have been happier with them. I am so excited that everything lined up this week and I was able to be presented with an award like this. I am so thankful for Stephanie Bulger, my parents, my husband, and, of course, Martha for presenting this award.”
In recognition of winning the Leading Lady Rider Award, Martha W. Jolicoeur and her husband, Dr. Stephen Norton, presented Caristo-Williams with a bottle of champagne, a bouquet of flowers, and a gift certificate for a shopping spree at Hunt, Ltd.
A long-time sponsor and dedicated supporter of horse sport at WEF for many years, 2022 marks Jolicoeur’s 12th season presenting the Leading Lady Rider Award. A former competitor herself, Jolicoeur enjoyed a successful international show jumping career before becoming Florida’s number one Douglas Elliman real estate broker.
Throughout WEF, the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Award, given in memory of fellow realtor and horseman Dale Lawler, will be presented each week to the female rider who earns the most points in the weekly WEF Challenge Cup Series and grand prix events. During the final week of WEF, the Martha Jolicoeur Overall Leading Lady Rider Award will be presented to the female rider who accumulates the most points throughout the 13-week circuit.
Based in Wellington, FL, Jolicoeur has been serving the equestrian community full-time since 2005 and specializes in both residential and farm properties. As part of the elite Douglas Elliman Real Estate Sports and Entertainment division, she offers a wide range of property listings that fit the equestrian lifestyle and beyond. To learn more about Martha W. Jolicoeur, visit www.marthasproperties.com and follow her on Facebook and Instagram for an insider’s look at her listings.
About Martha W. Jolicoeur
Buying or selling a property with Martha Jolicoeur assures the highest level of professional real estate consultation in the Wellington, FL, equestrian community. Jolicoeur understands the importance of customer excellence and prides herself on dealing honestly and fairly while creating relationships with her customers that continue far beyond a business transaction. For more information on Martha Jolicoeur and her listings, visit www.marthasproperties.com or find her on Facebook and Instagram.
