Ocala, FL – Week X of the 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series showcased yet another fantastic week of equestrian sport at WEC – Ocala. Catsy Cruz (MEX) laid the tracks in the WEC Grand Arena and Keith Bollotte (USA) set beautifully decorated hunter tracks in Hunter 1. Tracy Fenney and MTM Apple opened up the week with a win in the $24,000 C Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix, while Matt Martin piloted Diamant’s Legacy to the $20,000 Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby win. Aaron Vale secured yet another grand prix victory aboard Thinkslikeahorse’s Prescott. Read on for additional highlights.
Sean Jobin and Sterrehof’s Edinus prevailed in the $15,000 Taylor Harris Insurance Services 1.45m Jumper Classic.
“’Edinus’ has a huge gallop and a really big step, so I wanted to make use of that. The first five jumps were all gallop jumps, then I wanted to keep the turns nice and tidy. We found some good distances off the turns and did some nice leave outs.”
Aaron Vale and Prescott ran away with the $100,000 CaptiveOne Advisors Grand Prix victory.
“From one to two, I knew [MTM Apple] could make five. I caught the jump good enough where I think I could have done it, but going first it was a little greedy, so I held up and did the six. I got a fast seven to the next and when I landed, I just went racehorse speed and was able to relax the last stride or two to the vertical. I was aggressive to the combination and caught it perfectly. Prescott is a little weak turning right and leaving right, and he got lucky with the rub. I think he knocked it out with his front legs and knocked it back in with his back legs.”
Taylor Flury dominated the $15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix securing first, third and fifth place.
“Carrasca Z is my older stallion that has been there and done that. He was named after my grandfather, my mom’s dad who passed away. This was the first week my mom’s ever been here so it was pretty special that we won,” shared Flury. “That horse also had an injury two years ago, where I was told he’d never show again, but I am a bit like a badger and didn’t give up. I have to give RenoVō® a shout out because that made him comeback. This was his fourth show back and he has all the heart in the world. I felt like I could go for it with him.”
On Friday afternoon, Richard Spooner secured yet another victory aboard the seven-year-old Argentinian Sport Horse stallion Halcon owned by Molly Ohrstrom in the $15,000 1.40m Jumper Classic.
Matt Martin and Diamant’s Legacy emerged victorious in the $20,000 Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby.
“I am fortunate that I have a grand prix horse on my side. I knew it was his forte and he seemed to be in the right state of mind. I wasn’t sure until two trips out if we were going to be conservative or go for it. After jump two, he felt soft and relaxed, so I went ahead and did all the turns. He’s very good at them and ambidextrous which makes it a lot of fun.”
Timothy Maddrix & Cypress are two-for-two for victories in the $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital 3’ Open Hunter Derby.
“The first course rode nice. There were a lot of bending lines with related distances which works out well for Cypress because it keeps him paying attention,” laughed Maddrix. “I think you needed a seasoned horse that looks for the jumps in this type of class which was great because Cypress always has his eye on the next fence.”
Isabelle Ehman and Jagerbomb secure their third-consecutive $15,000 WEC Ocala 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby victory.
“I didn’t expect to win. I am so proud of him. He’s been incredible and I can’t believe this is our third derby win. I think derbies are his thing.”
Tracy Fenney & MTM Apple tackled the $24,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix.
“When I walked the first line, I thought she could do the eight but when I went out there and looked at the angle, I was a bit surprised the angle wasn’t as nice as I hoped. She ended up doing it perfectly and was super tight back to the vertical. She walked down to the Liverpool in seven, then hauled buns over to the in-and-out and she stood up and dove in for the perfect angle to the second to last fence. Once she landed, she just galloped so free and easy to the last.”
Adele Dewar and Down To A T earned their second $2,000 WEC Ocala Pony Hunter Derby. Jana Oosthuizen and Twain captured the $3,500 WEC Ocala 2’6” Non Pro Junior Hunter Derby, while Joanne Nicholson and Sandro Prinz topped the $3,500 WEC Ocala 2’6” Non Pro Amateur Hunter Derby.
Congratulations to all competitors on another incredible week of equestrian sport!