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Ocala, FL – National feature show jumping competition during week IX of the 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series closed early this morning with the $50,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix. World-renowned course designer Alan Wade (IRL) set a challenging track where McKayla Langmeier (USA) piloted Rafferty Farm LLC’s Bahira S (Balou Du Rouet x Vorbuch 2) to the only clear round to claim victory.
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Langmeier spoke about the elaborate first-round track, “When you walked, it seemed like it was going to ride nice, but actually riding it, there were some challenging parts to it. Alan Wade set a good course today with some tricky jump placements. It’s also a bit difficult during this time of day, because there are always a few shadows that play a roll. The lines were tough and you really had to think throughout the track.”
Langmeier and the 13-year-old Oldenburg mare were the second pair to attempt Wade’s track. The pair effortlessly navigated the intricate course, stopping the clock less than a second under the time allowed in 79.108 seconds to ultimately secure top honors.
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Langmeier spoke about the talented mare, “I have had her for about three years now. She’s a really hot mare that gets quite strong. By the end of the course we are rolling, so with her I have to think a little bit toward the end, especially if I am going clear,” laughed Langmeier. “I ended up being close to the time allowed. I really took my time to set her up for the in-and-out to the liverpool, which was the second to last line on the course, and she jumped it perfectly.”
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Langmiere brought Bahira S to World Equestrian Center – Ocala for the class, “I showed two horses in FEI and brought two horses to show in the national classes. Bahira S has done a few two- and three-star speed classes and national grands prix. This class was our goal and it’s really nice when a plan comes all together.”
“I have had a great time showing here this week. It’s my first time here and I will definitely be back. It’s been such a wonderful experience, the stabling is beautiful and the rings are amazing,” shared Langmeier.
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Maddison Stephen (AUS) and her own Yalambi’s Ikon (Carpino Z x Yalambis Dior) secured second place and the ‘fastest four-faulter award’ with the fastest first round time of 74.635 seconds with one rail down.
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Santiago Lambre (BRA) was right on Stephen’s heels aboard All In Horses and Jan De Waard’s Nono VD Withoeve (Elvis Ter Putte x Chellana I Z) with one unfortunate rail in 74.679 seconds to round out the top three.
Abby Grabowski received the ‘Luck of the Draw’ award.
$50,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix Results:
1 Bahira S, McKayla Langmeier (USA), Rafferty Farm LLC: 0 | 79.108
2 Yalambi’s Ikon, Maddison Stephen (AUS), Maddison Stephen: 4 | 74.635
3 Nono VD Withoeve, Santiago Lambre (BRA), All In Horses and Jan De Waard: 4 | 74.679
4 Mark Q, Gwyneth Babington (USA), Kevin Babington: 4 | 76.540
5 Manchester, Conor O’Regan (IRL), Delshore Horses LLC: 4 | 77.893
6 Conny 409, Kama Godek (USA), Kama Godek: 4 | 79.309
7 Anibale De Hus, Sarah Jeanne Scheiring (USA), Bellwyn Farm LLC: 6 | 81.123
8 Blue Movie, Rowan Willis (AUS), Rowan Willis: 8 | 70.551
9 Cera Cassina, Kimberley Bird (NZL), Kimberley Bird: 8 | 75.012
10 Early Moon Du Favril, Nikko Ritter (USA), Wendy Peralta: 8 | 78.879
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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