Wellington, Fla.—Feb. 12

From the moment she entered the ring, it was clear that Paige Johnson was riding for the win in the 2015 $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup—Round 6 at the Winter Equestrian Festival on Thursday Feb. 12. In a class where clear rounds were plentiful—16 total double clears—speed was necessary to come out on top. As Dakota powered through the final set of timers, it was evident that if Johnson hadn’t put in the winning trip, she was close.

With a time of 69.69, she overtook recent class leader Harrie Smolders and Emerald, who put in a time of 70.02 five rounds prior. Smolders, of the Netherlands, had just overtaken the lead from last week’s winner Brianne Goutal (70:15 to finish third) who saddled up Wirma for this week’s edition of the Challenge Cup.

Johnson’s goal this season is to go into the classes believing she can win, a philosophy she picked up from her trainer of three years, Kent Farrington—who won the cup this week last year aboard Blue Angel.

“When he sets his mind to a plan he goes for it,” Johnson said. “He believes he can win every class—and I think that’s a great mentality to have and I’m learning that. Because sometimes I go in and I’m like, ‘This is not this horse’s course. I want to go for a double clean, [but] I don’t know if I can win it.’

“He tells me, ‘No, you can win this. You need to go in and believe you can win it.’ So I’m learning that part: Don’t sell yourself short. You’re capable and your horse is capable of it.”

Johnson was thrilled to win today, stating that though she’s won big classes at WEF previously, this was her first Challenge Cup victory. Her parents’ Salamander Hotels and Resorts, sponsors week 6, making the timing of her win particularly significant.

“It’s hard to win in general down here. It’s so competitive. There’s so many good riders, you know, so you have to ride well, you have to have a little luck that day. It has to be your day.”

The 2015 winter circuit has been friendly to her mount Dakota, who’s had multiple double clears and several top five finishes so far. Johnson’s owned the 12-year-old mare since the end of her 9-year-old season and feels their partnership has solidified.

“The lady I bought her from had her since she was five so they had a really good bond and I just think it took us a little time to get to know each other,” said Johnson. “You know mares are very particular, and she’s a great horse. I think that we just had to create a partnership and we seem to understand each other now. I know what buttons to push, what buttons not to push and she’s been great this circuit.”

Johnson has yet to decide whether she will ride Dakota or her new mount Clintop 2 in Friday’s $85,000 Salamander Hotels and Resorts Grand Prix CSI 3*,  since she was waiting until after today’s class to make her decision.