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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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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