Francis Derwin & Gospel Tame Best the Field in the $32,000 4CYTE Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* 

16 JAN 26 Ocala, FL

Ocala, FL – The $32,000 4CYTE Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* took center stage in the WEC Grand Arena on Friday. Fifty-two horse-and-rider combinations representing 11 nations competed for top honors, but it was Ireland’s Francis Derwin who piloted his own Gospel Tame (Quadrio Tame x Panama Tame) to the fastest time of the day.

Francis Derwin & Gospel Tame on their way to first place in the $32,000 4CYTE Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2*. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Course designer Anderson Lima (MEX) once again set a challenging track, with rails coming down throughout the course. Nine combinations advanced to the jump-off with clear rounds, but only four ultimately produced a double-clear effort.

Derwin was the first athlete to return for the jump-off and delivered what would stand as the winning round. “I was early to go, and there were a few quick people in it, so my plan was to stay neat and save a little for Sunday,” he said.

Francis Derwin & Gospel Tame. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

He flew around the short course aboard the coming 10-year-old Selle Français gelding, stopping the clock in a clear 37.72 seconds.

Derwin has been working with Karlswood, owned by Cian O’Connor, and brought a strong string of horses with him to Ocala from Ireland, including Gospel Tame. “‘Gospel’ is 10 years old now. He’s been produced very well. Cian has had him since he was five,” Derwin shared. “I am very happy to have a great team of horses here, thanks to Cian for trusting me with them. I am here for the whole circuit and have 10 horses here.”

Francis Derwin & Gospel Tame accepting their first-place award, presented by Havey Manion, representing 4CYTE. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

“I came last winter to watch the [Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala] for just that night, and when Cian suggested coming here next winter, I straight away said yes. It’s an unbelievable place to be. I just think the place itself is unbelievable. There’s no place else in the world like it. I’ve never seen anything else, and it’s a great place for the horses.”

Hunter Holloway & Koblenz jumping to second place. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Hunter Holloway (USA) claimed the second-fastest time, guiding Sophie Heron’s 11-year-old KWPN mare Koblenz (Arezzo VDL x Otangelo) to a clean round in 39.50 seconds.

Amanda Derbyshire & Cornwall Bh rounding out the podium. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Rounding out the top three was Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) aboard her longtime partner Cornwall Bh, an 18-year-old Holsteiner gelding. Their clear effort in 39.97 seconds secured third place.

$32,000 4CYTE Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* Results

Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results on HorseShowing.com. For real-time scoring, check out Ryegate.Live.

Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
Videos available at ClipMyHorse.TV

Make sure to visit the WEC Blog and follow us on social media @worldequestriancenter for full coverage on all feature classes! 

This event is made possible through the support of our generous sponsors and marketing partners, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau.