Ocala, FL – On Friday afternoon, 34 skilled athletes competed for the top prize of $15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix, navigating tracks designed by Catsy Cruz of Mexico. At the end of the competition, it was Maya Denis (MEX) who clinched the victory aboard her own Callypso De La Hamente Z (Chelssini Z x Vesta De Greenbay), clocking a time more than two seconds ahead of the second-place finisher.
A total of 13 horse-and-rider combinations navigated a clear first round to head straight to the immediate jump-off.
Maya Denis and her own Callypso De La Hamente Z entered the class toward the end of the order with a winning mindset. “He makes my job easy when it comes to going fast. He is so effective on the ground, and through the air. I just ride him the best I can, and he does the rest for me, which is so nice.”
Denis piloted the quick seven-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding a clean first round to go straight to the jump-off, “I was able to watch a lot of people, and they were so fast. A lot opted to do the inside turn to the yellow vertical, but knowing how effective he is on the ground, I decided to go around and keep moving – thankfully it paid off!”
The pair soared through the timers in 36.185 seconds to steal the top spot on the leaderboard.
Denis commented on the WEC Grand Arena and her experience at World Equestrian Center – Ocala, “It’s an incredible arena to jump in, and it’s one of a kind. You don’t see places like this very often, and nothing really compares. I think this venue has a very exciting future and I am excited to come back.”
Augusta Iwasaki (USA) secured the second-place position on the leaderboard after she yielded an impressive effort in the jump-off with a time of 38.292 seconds aboard her Fresca (Carambole x Zanesca), a 13-year-old KWPN mare owned by Chris Iwasaki and Liz Reilly.
Third place went to Ibrahim Barazi (JOR) and Ib Stable, LLC’s 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Khan VD Kattevennen Z (Kannan x Haya Van De Kattevennen Z) with a quick time of 39.598 seconds in the jump-off.
$15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix Results:
1 Callypso De La Hamente Z, Maya Denis, Maya Denis: 0 | 0 | 36.185
2 Fresca, Augusta Iwaski, Iwasaki and Reilly: 0 | 0 | 38.292
3 Khan VD Kattevennen Z, Ibrahim Barazi, Ib Stable, LLC: 0 | 0 | 39.598
4 Casilo, Rowan Willis, Molly Struve: 0 | 0 | 39.900
5 MTM Vinze, Katherine Le Blanc, David O’Donnell: 0 | 0 | 42.023
6 Caleo S, Maya Denis, Mille Fleurs: 0 | 0 | 42.572
7 Quincy OS, Rebecca Warth, Rebecca Warth: 0 | 0 | 43.660
8 Lordy P, Seth Vallhonrat, Seth Vallonrat: 0 | 0 | 44.938
9 Filante De Sevrignac, Elizabeth Stroh, Cloverly Farm LLC: 0 | 0 | 45.807
10 Gatsby’s Green Light, Jodie Camberg, Jillian Minahan: 0 | 4 | 38.523
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
Videos available at ClipMyHorse.TV
For final results visit HorseShowing.com or Ryegate.Live.
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