Ocala, FL – The final $15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix of the 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series saw a large field of 41 up-and-coming combinations compete for top honors. Kevin Holowack (CAN) set the elaborate tracks that featured special new fences that will be included in tonight’s $250,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix. Olympic Gold Medalist William Simpson (USA) snagged the fastest time aboard Quentin VA (Quarz x Trixie) owned by Two Socks Farm LLC.
Of the 41 competitors, 18 qualified for the short course, with 9 posting double clear efforts.
Megan Wexler (USA) and Golden Oak Farm LLC’s Chronicle 4 (Centurion x Ambiance) set the pace early on. Wexler and the ten-year-old Holsteiner gelding were quick and clear in 30.096 seconds.
Nicole Walker (CAN) was the next athlete to come close to Wexler’s time aboard her own Atout Des Trambles (Nectar Des Forets*hn x Apache D’adriers). The pair flew around the track just shy of the leading time in 30.111 seconds.
Wexler’s time was matched shortly after by William Simpson and Quentin VA. Simpson and the ten-year-old Holsteiner gelding made light work of the first round to advance to the jump-off.
“He felt right at home out there. I was looking at the other jumps that were already set to go for the grand prix tonight and I was thinking, that’s where he belongs,” shared Simpson. “I love it when they have a special occasion like this weekend. The atmosphere here is always electric and so much thought goes into the courses.”
The pair started on a strong gallop at the sound of the tone, “It wasn’t a very long jump-off, but it was fun. It was two new jumps in a steady five, then I ended up going left to right over the out, which put me right in line to six strides to the next. I may have been the only one to do six there. Then that set me up for the other six, I don’t think you could do any less than that. He’s a small horse, but has a huge step. Then we balanced for the seven and lickety-split right past the waterfall to the combination. I took a little risk there. But he rocked back and jumped it well and walked the five down to the last.”
The pair flew through the timers in a blistering 28.017 seconds, a time that no other competitor could catch.
Simpson spoke about the scopey gelding, “He’s got the full package. He’s small, compact with a huge stride. He’s brave as can be and he makes it easy. He’s settled into a very competitive roll, and I think he’s going to be a top contender.”
$15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix Results:
1 Quentin VA, William Simpson, Two Socks Farm LLC: 0 | 0 | 28.017
2 Chronicle 4, Megan Wexler, Golden Oaks Farm LLC: 0 | 0 | 30.096
3 Atout Des Trambles, Nicole Walker, Nicole Walker: 0 | 0 | 30.111
4 Kennedy Z, Ansgar Holtgers Jr, Gut Einhaus, LLC: 0 | 0 | 30.812
5 Cristiano Obolensky, Gonzalo Busca, Gonzalo Busca: 0 | 0 | 31.516
6 Matonge of Colors, Nicole Walker, Nicole Walker: 0 | 0 | 31.985
7 Jasper, Dani Gascoigne, York Story Limited: 0 | 0 | 33.229
8 WH Foxxy Cleopatra RC, Lynne Wachter, Beda Wachter: 0 | 0 | 33.279
9 Lahinch, Max Wachman, Coolmore Showjumping: 0 | 0 | 33.981
10 Geronimo0 SCF, Harold Chopping, Diane Halpin: 0 | 4 | 29.508
Tracy Fenney & MTM Peanut Capture the $15,000 WEC Ocala 1.40m Jumper Classic Victory
On Friday afternoon, 26 top-level horse-and-rider combinations competed over Kevin Holowack’s (CAN) $15,000 1.40m Jumper Classic tracks. Tracy Fenney secured her second victory of the week aboard MTM Peanut (Capistrano x Radunar) owned by MTM Farm.
Fenney and the nine-year-old Warmblood gelding found an effortless first round track well within the time allowed of 76 seconds to qualify for the immediate jump-off. The pair soared around the short course to stop the jump-off clock at 33.870 seconds.
Richard Spooner and Molly Ohrstrom’s Halcon were right behind the pair with a quick and clear time of 34.174 seconds.
Hunter Holloway and Hays Investment Corpoatation’s Kalina N (H5 Elvaro x Gadget) rounded out the top three with a time of 36.277 seconds.
$15,000 WEC Ocala 1.40m Jumper Classic Results:
1 MTM Peanut, Tracy Fenney, MTM Farm: 0 | 0 | 33.870
2 Halcon, Richard Spooner, Molly Ohrstrom: 0 | 0 | 34.172
3 Kalina N, Hunter Holloway, Hays Investment Corp.: 0 | 0 | 36.277
4 Cothalando PS, Manuel Torres, Manuel Torres: 0 | 0 | 39.137
5 Salut CA-VA, Alicia Wilkinson, Horse Show Leases LLC: 0 | 4 | 35.690
6 Jack Straw, Camille Maddrix, M&M Sporthorses: 0 | 4 | 36.110
7 Henry Jota Ariel, Hunter Holloway, Hays Investment Corp: 0 | 4 | 36.356
8 Cidanos Z, Alexanne Thibault, Alexanne Thibault: 0 | 4 | 36.652
9 Brin D’Or De Haute Melen Z, Sharn Wordley, Sharn Wordley: 0 | 4 | 37.182
10 Boreale De Talma, Staisha Bejarano, Empire Show Stables: 0 | 4 | 37.265
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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