Ocala, FL – The first week of international competition at the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series welcomed new talent from around the globe. Emilie Conter from Belgium showcased her skill by clinching victories in the 1.40m Speed CSI3* and the $15,000 1.45m Two Phase Special CSI3*. The youngest athlete in the field, Tom Wachman (IRL) claimed the victory aboard Cathalina S in the $35,000 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Grand Prix Qualifier CSI3*. Saturday night belonged to Carlos Hank Guerreiro (MEX) and H5 Porthos Maestro WH Z in the $100,000 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Grand Prix CSI3*. Read on for additional highlights from the week!
On Sunday morning, David Cameron (AUS) galloped away with the victory in the $50,000 YETI National Grand Prix aboard Beijing Ls La Silla.
“The jump-off suited him really well. He can turn quickly and jump the jumps at a gallop. For a little horse he has a really big stride so I was able to do the eight to the eight in the first few lines, and that helped set the right rhythm for the rest of the track.”
In the inaugural international grand prix of the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series, the $100,000 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Grand Prix CSI3*, Carlos Hank Guerreiro (MEX), a newcomer to World Equestrian Center – Ocala, piloted H5 Porthos Maestro WH Z to his first ever grand prix victory, making the evening a spectacular night of firsts.
“My trainer Eduardo Menezes told me there were only five in the jump-off so I might as well go for it. We wanted to test the horse a little bit. He’s still green, and this was his first real big jump-off. Daniel had a pretty quick time, so we just wanted to give it a try. I knew there was one less from one to two, and I got there easy enough. My horse is very fast naturally. You just let him go, and he is just eager to canter forward.”
Rachel Schnurr (CAN) claimed the victory in the $15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix aboard Crislin Van Den Bosrand Z with a lightning-fast performance in the jump-off.
“It’s amazing. I love it here. If I could show here all year I would, but I am Canadian, so I have to go home. But it’s probably one of the nicest facilities hands down that I’ve ever been to. The footing is excellent, the jumps are beautiful, and the staff is so friendly. I would live here if I could – maybe one day.”
Following her victory in the previous week’s $20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby, Samantha Schaefer maintained her winning streak aboard In The Know after delivering a nearly flawless first round, earning an impressive score of 96.
“The first round was actually one of the harder courses for him. There were a lot of turns off the right lead. He’s a lefty, so I had to call on him where to land left, but he was great and got a big score.”
Hillary Johnson made a lasting impression aboard Suede in the $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby.
“In the first round, I think the very first line shocked many horses,” she shared. “Starting with an oxer, both of my horses really gave a great effort, but didn’t think about stepping down the bending eight which rode pretty long. The rest of the course I really didn’t count the bending lines. I try not to get too stuck on a number when you’re talking about nine or ten strides.”
Elizabeth Rinehart dominated the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby, securing first place aboard her own Bond and second place aboard Claire Rockacy’s Kingston Blue.
“Bond we’ve had for a few months, and he’s the best. He’s so sweet and really experienced. He knows what he’s doing,” she added. “‘Olivier’, Kingstone Blue, is a little more green and hasn’t done as many derbies, but he was amazing today too.”
Emilie Conter (BEL) snagged her second victory of the week piloting Cilanto XC Z in the $15,000 1.45m Two Phase Special CSI3*.
“I saw that there weren’t many lines in the second phase. I knew I had to be efficient enough and stay close to all the jumps. To be honest, sometimes I tend to add one, but my horse was jumping so well everything came up perfectly.”
As the youngest athlete in the field, Tom Wachman (IRL) clinched the victory aboard Cathalina S in the $35,000 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Grand Prix Qualifier CSI3*.
“The plan was to be clear and quicker than Eduardo,” he chuckled. “My mare has a pretty big step; I believe I was the only one in the jump-off to do nine strides back to the double, and I think that’s where I gained the time.”
Emilie Conter (BEL), a WEC – Ocala newcomer, made an impressive debut claiming both first and second place in the 1.40m Speed CSI3*with Portobella Van De Fruitkorf and Cilanto XC Z.
“This is my first time here, which is very exciting. I came in late last night, so I am looking forward to exploring the property today. It’s massive and so beautiful. So far, there is nothing bad to say about this place. I love it here already!”
Adam Sklansky (USA) and Ellen Walker’s Hakini raced to victory in the $5,000 1.45m Speed CSI3*.
“We’ve had her going on four years now. We stepped up to some FEI classes maybe a year ago. She’s only done one or two three-stars, but today she felt great. Last week was our first week here, and I just did her in a national 1.40m and the welcome prix, she was quick but had one down. I just left her fresh for this week because she has two more classes ahead of her.”
Additional highlights:
Eugenio Garza (MEX) piloted Prince Malko M owned by Ilan Ferder to two impressive wins during week VII in the $15,000 1.45m Jumper Classic and $15,000 THIS 1.40m Jumper Classic.
Reagan Jarrett and her own Hopscotch prevailed in the $2,000 Pony Hunter Derby with an overall score of 170.
Ashley Burgess emerged victorious in the $3,500 2’6” Non Pro Child Hunter Derby aboard Mike Holtkamp’s Mexx Van Het Noordhof.
In the $3,500 2’6” Non Pro Adult Hunter Derby, Julie Wilson took the win aboard her own Canon D.
Congratulations to all exhibitors on another successful week of equestrian sport!
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.
A limited number of weekly stalls remain for the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series, book your stall today!
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