Palmer & Clavijo Win CVI3* at First-Ever WEC Vaulting Premiere

29 NOV 25 Ocala, FL

A person in midair performs a split leap above a white horse during an equestrian event, with spectators and buildings in the background.

Ocala, FL – The inaugural Vaulting competition at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) debuted Friday in the WEC Stadium, welcoming FEI athletes from across the world for the WEC Vaulting Premiere across the three-star, two-star, and one-star divisions. 

Palmer Tops Women’s Individual CVI3*

A person in a red outfit performs a handstand on the back of a moving brown horse in an outdoor arena.
Kimmy Palmer & Lightning. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

The day’s leading performance came in the Women’s Individual CVI3*, where Kimberly “Kimmy” Palmer (USA), currently ranked No. 4 in world standings, posted the highest overall score of the show, 7.864, to secure the Women’s Individual CVI3*. Vaulting on Lightning, a 10-year-old gelding owned by Raelyn Snyder, with lunger Nicholas Hansen, Palmer delivered strong, consistent rounds that impressed the judges.

Palmer, a seasoned international competitor since 2012, scored 7.911 in Compulsories and 7.884 in the Technical Test for a first-round average of 7.898. She returned in the Freestyle for a 7.795 to clinch the title.

Reflecting on her career and first visit to Ocala, Palmer shared, “I’ve been vaulting since I was four, so it’s been about 26 years. I normally travel to Europe during the season to train and compete there with some horses that I borrow, but I thought it would be fun to come to World Equestrian Center – Ocala for the first time and compete.”

A gymnast in a pink outfit performs a handstand on a horse during an equestrian vaulting routine, with buildings in the background.
Kimmy Palmer & Lightning. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

She highlighted her Technical Test as her best of the day. “I was really happy with my technical test. I was really confident going in because I’ve been able to perform it nicely at four or five other competitions this year,” she said. 

Palmer also praised her equine partner, whom she’s been practicing with for the past two weeks. “I thought Lightning was adorable. I got on and immediately thought his movement was really cool, so I knew I would have a lot of fun with him.”

Her first impressions of the facility were equally positive. “It’s incredible. It’s probably the best facility I’ve ever been to. It’s humongous. The footing is prime. The amenities from the food and coffee to the restaurants is really above standards.”

A group of six people and a horse stand in an arena, with one person on a podium holding prizes. Flowers decorate the platform and the background includes white fences and small buildings.
Kimmy Palmer standing atop the podium with Lightning and lunger, Nicholas Hansen. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Looking ahead, she added, “My next competition will be World Cup™ Finals. I really am hoping to come back to WEC – Ocala again. My fingers are crossed.”

Palmer ended with gratitude for the team behind her successful day. “I’m so thankful that I got to vault with Lightning and that I was connected with Nick and Raelyn. They’re really kind people, and I’m glad I made the connection with them and that I got to vault with Lightning.”

Clavijo Claims Men’s Individual CVI3*

A person in a leotard performs a balancing act on the back of a white horse during an equestrian vaulting event in an outdoor arena.
Juan Martin Clavijo & Justice OF. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Juan Martin Clavijo (COL), former Junior World Champion, secured the Men’s Individual CVI3* victory on Justice OF, an 11-year-old gelding by Ub-40 x Arunee, with lunger Andrea Selch. He scored 7.602 in Compulsories and 6.683 in the Technical Test for a 7.143 first-round average, then earned 7.534 in Freestyle for an overall 7.273.

Clavijo, a three-time World Champion, recently returned to international competition. “I started vaulting when I was five years old, so I’ve been vaulting for twenty years. I won three World Championships, and I stopped a little bit because I was studying medicine, and now I started back again.”

He enjoyed debuting new music and emphasized the artistic side of his routines. “I was looking forward to doing my freestyle today. I was really hoping to have a good freestyle because it’s the one I have changed the most. I was a bit more nervous about the Tech Test. I think my favorite part about both are the artistic elements because I love the style of music that I use.”

A person performs a handstand on the back of a moving white horse during an equestrian vaulting event in an outdoor arena.
Juan Martin Clavijo & Justice OF. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

He also spoke about his signature dismounts. “My first difficult dismount was a cartwheel with no hands. I started doing that dismount in 2015, and my backflip dismount I started doing in 2018. Doing those difficult dismounts is not actually as hard as you would think. It’s scary at first, but once you do i,t you feel more confident.”

Competing on an unfamiliar horse added a challenge. “I did not have a lot of time to get acquainted with [Justice OF]. I only met him on Tuesday, so I had three days to train and then the competition. When I first met him, I changed a few things about my routine because they didn’t suit him, but in the end, it all worked out very well.”

He praised the venue on his first visit. “The venue is beautiful, the arenas are amazing. Everything is nice, the hotels, the food, everything.”

A performer leaps in the air above a white horse during an equestrian show in an outdoor arena with a partially filled grandstand.
Jace Brooks leaping to second with Justice OF. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Jace Brooks (USA) finished second in the Men’s Individual CVI3* aboard Justice OF with lunger Andrea Selch, earning an overall score of 6.558.

A group of people pose on a sandy arena with a decorated horse and prize ribbons; two winners stand on podiums, surrounded by event officials.
Juan Martin Clavijo and Jace Brooks standing on the podium with Justice OF and lunger, Andrea Selch. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Additional Results

  • Female Individual Junior 2*: Julieta Galvez Acosta (COL) won with a 6.730 on Sheamus Okelley, lunged by Mary McCormick.
  • Female Individual Senior 2*: Allegra Hart (USA) topped the division with a 6.942 on Killian, lunged by Mary McCormick.
  • Female Individual Young 2*: Ada Nobles (USA) earned the win with a 6.745 on Paisan, lunged by Jeannine Nobles.

Full FEI results are available online.

Competition continues Saturday, November 29, and Sunday, November 30, in the WEC Stadium with national-level USEF/EVUSA classes. Vaulting times can be found here.