Ocala, FL – Week III of the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala was an unforgettable one. Richard Spooner (USA) guided Halcon not only to his inaugural Saturday night competition in the $100,000 Lifeforce Grand Prix, but also to a triumphant victory. Daniel Geitner had a banner week with wins in the $20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby, $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby and $15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix. Read on for additional highlights from the week.
In a nail-biting four-horse jump-off, Richard Spooner (USA) guided Molly Ohrstrom’s Halcon not only through his inaugural Saturday night competition in the $100,000 Lifeforce Grand Prix, but also to a triumphant victory.
“It was his first jump-off under the lights, but he’s fast, almost cat-like, scopey, careful, and every once in a while you’ll get a horse that understands the game; and he’s one of those horses.”
The $15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix was the highlight event of Saturday afternoon. Ultimately, it was Daniel Geitner (USA) who secured a hat trick after winning the class aboard Jalanne.
“I am still working on rideability with my horse. A lot of the lines were straight lines, and interestingly enough they are a little hard for a horse like her because she sights in on the next jump. But to be able to do it in a ring like that is fantastic because that’s where they will get away from you.”
In the final hunter derby on Friday, Daniel Geitner secured his second win, this time aboard Laura Cramer’s Easy Money in the $20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby.
“There was an inside turn from one to two that I did in the 3’ derby. It was really tight, and it was even more snug in the big derby. I had ground to make up, but he’s such a nice horse I was able to get it done. Then the rest of the course just flowed.”
In the $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby, Daniel Geitner secured the top position aboard Even Steven.
“He loves the handies. He’s small, rideable and can make the turns so easily. I think we were the only ones to try the real inside turn to the birch option. He does it so easy and I think he really enjoys it.”
Forty-two talented junior and amateur athletes put forth their best efforts in the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby, but it was Grace Loughlin that received two impressive scores in the 90s aboard Briljant Z to gallop away with the win.
“I wanted to be as smooth and slick as possible. He tends to be a bit bright in the handy, so I focused on staying calm and guiding him gently.”
Luis Sabino Goncalves (POR) and Vick Du Croisy took the final lead in the $24,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix.
“I thought I did a quick enough round with Scoop to be in the top three, but there are always fast riders here. After I watched Richard and Samantha beat my time, I got determined. I tried to be as fast as possible, and it worked.”
Additional Highlights:
On Sunday afternoon, Alberto Michan (ISR) and Maeve O’Connor’s Kindly snagged the $15,000 1.45m Jumper Classic victory with a quick jump-off time of 40.164 seconds.
Caelinn Leahy and Steve Schaefer’s The Gray Man captured the $15,000 THIS 1.40m Jumper Classic win on Friday afternoon.
In the $3,500 2’6” Non Pro Hunter Derby, Campbell Cauthen and DCTM, LLC’s Mackinac SCF emerged victorious with an overall score of 169.
Campbell Clement and BWL Ranch 1, LLC’s Whinny The Blue prevailed in the $2,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby.
Spectators are welcome! From now until March 24, 2024, experience the thrill of the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results on HorseShowing.com. For real-time scoring, check out Ryegate.Live.
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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