Ocala, FL – Week I of the 2023 December Show Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala welcomed Fédération Equestre International (FEI) CSI3* competitors from all over the world to the WEC Grand Arena. Beat Mändli (SUI) and Amiro B Z dazzled the crowd in the $150,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSI3*. Samantha Schaefer headlined the week with two victories, trading out her shadbelly after the $12,500 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby for her jumper coat for the $40,000 1.45m Two Phase Special CSI3*. Read on for additional highlights.
Tracy Fenney (USA) and MTM Apple were stars in the $50,000 Lugano Diamonds National Grand Prix being one of only three clear rounds in the jump-off.
“It’s always a great feeling knowing she’s having fun. I just laugh and try to get her focused for the first jump. She sassed me about four strides out, and I was like, ‘okay, if you’re going to keep sassing me, I am going to have to circle,’ but once she had her eye on the jump, it was game time.”
Holiday lights and packed stands set the stage for the $150,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSI3*, but at the end of the class it was Beat Mändli (SUI) that stood atop the podium.
“This is actually our first grand prix jump-off. I came here to get him ready for the winter circuit ahead, and I did not expect to win. He felt amazing tonight and handled the crowd very well. I was surprised to see so many people, it was nice to ride and a really fun evening. I have really high hopes for him in the future.”
Kate Eppinger (USA) and Chaccos Cherry PS captured the win in the $15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix.
“We only just started showing her in August. We bought her at the end of June, and I couldn’t be happier with our progress. She’s an amazing mare. She’s game, super sweet, and the kind of horse that will always be there for you,” Eppinger expressed. “We are working up to do some two-star competitions this season. She just keeps impressing us.”
Samantha Schaefer (USA) took home her second victory of the week in $40,000 1.45m Two Phase Special CSI3*.
“Frasier has such a big step, jumps just come up so well. I walked a normal 10 to the last jump, and my barn told me I did eight, but it felt easy. Today, he was just in his element.”
Samantha Schaefer and In The Know were unstoppable in the $12,500 Golden Ocala 3’6” – 3’9” Hunter Derby.
“’Spyder’ gets whatever he wants. He’s a little obnoxious in the barn, but he’s so perfect everyone just lets him do what he wants. He’s super spoiled, but rightfully so. He’s a part of the family, and I still have so much fun every time I ride him.”
In the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby, Kate Conover was the one to beat after yielding impressive scores on both of her mounts.
“They ride pretty different, but they both try extremely hard. They’re the types of horses that fight, especially in the handy, when you turn tight on fences, they are always trying their best to clear it. It’s always an incredible feeling when you have horses that take the shots with you and try to produce good rounds.”
Isabelle Ehman snagged first place honors with her new partner Charlie Brown in the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby.
“This is his second show as an equitation/hunter horse, and he’s pretty good at it! This was his first ever derby and he won it. He exceeded all of my expectations. He went in there and acted like he has been doing derbies his whole life.”
Luis Larrazabal (VEN) and Belle De Muze claimed the win in the $50,000 UF Health Grand Prix Qualifier CSI3*.
“I got her in the beginning of the year. Day one I was very excited. We had a great connection and her owner, Drisss Ngadi saw that we would be a great combination. I knew she was going to be a winner, I just needed to find what she liked, and how she liked to go. Now, it’s really starting to pay off, and we are getting more consistent.”
Grace Debney (GBR) opened the week of the 2023 December Show Series with a win in the $40,000 1.45m Speed CSI3*.
“I stuck with my plan. A lot of people did eight in the first line, but I decided to do nine, because she is such a naturally fast horse. Even with an added stride, she is quicker than the others that may have left one out,” shared Debney.
Beat Mändli (SUI) made his winning premiere in the $6,000 1.40m Speed CSI3*
“I have heard a lot of great things, so I thought I would try it out and I love it here. I’ve been here for two days now just walking around and seeing everything, and I am just amazed,” he added. “During the winter season, we are normally in Wellington, but I am planning on coming back up here a few times because this facility is incredible.”
On Friday afternoon, Steven Bluman (ISR) and Biblou Du Perron prevailed in the $10,000 THIS 1.40m Jumper Classic, besting a field of 17 horse-and-rider combinations.
Ashley Burgess and Mexx Van Het Norrdhof secured the $3,500 WEC Non Pro Derby 2’6” win with an overall score of 163.5.
Sofia Fayad and Lumiere demonstrated two textbook rounds in the $2,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby to ultimately gallop away with the victory.
Congratulations to all athletes on a wonderful first week of equestrian sport!
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
Videos available at ClipMyHorse.TV
For final results visit HorseShowing.com or Ryegate.Live.
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Plan your stay at World Equestrian Center – Ocala.