Ocala, FL – Week VIII of the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series belonged to Daniel Coyle, as he claimed the top spot in the $35,000 Florida Coast Equipment Grand Prix CSI3*, $15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix, $100,000 LeMieux Grand Prix CSI3* and a one-two finish in the $50,000 Golden Ocala National Grand Prix. The Tosh Family dominated Hunter Derby Friday, as Hunt Tosh claimed top honors in the $20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby and his daughter, Maddie Tosh claimed first place in the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby. Read on for additional highlights from the week.
Irishman Daniel Coyle capped off his spectacular week with first and second with two remarkable mounts, Jasper and Lena VDL, in the $50,000 Golden Ocala National Grand Prix.
“Jasper was brilliant in the first round. My jump-off plan was simple, go as fast as I could without over doing it. I don’t know him that well in jump-offs, so I just wanted to take it one jump at a time, and I was actually a lot faster on him that I anticipated,” laughed Coyle. “I didn’t even walk the jump-off because I didn’t expect to be in it on either horse!”
In a nail-biting jump-off, Daniel Coyle had the crowd on its feet as he piloted Ariel Grange’s Farrel to the win in the $100,000 LeMieux Grand Prix CSI3*.
“On Farrel, you can turn on half a stride. He’s an amazing horse to turn back to a vertical. I galloped to one, and hoped everything came up good. I was really risky across the center to the liverpool, I couldn’t see the flags, and I stared death in the face and so did he, but he pricked his ears on it and jumped it. I’ve known Farrel for years, he’s had a few years off, but he’s very handy. After doing something like that, and turning back so tight to the second to last jump, I mean that’s all to do with the horse there. Aaron would have done the same thing. We both took risks, but at the end it comes back to the horse, and if you can nail it.”
Daniel Coyle secured yet another feature class victory, this time riding Lovely Boy P in the $15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix on Friday afternoon.
“He came from the Wellington Sport Horse Auction as a five-year-old. He always goes very correct and has been a special horse since the beginning. He is a lovely horse, so the name suits him,” laughed Coyle. “He didn’t know the sport too well at first. Actually, our other rider, Vaclav Stanek showed him at Spruce Meadows this past summer and he really developed there. After our round today, it looks like he’s grown up a lot and I’m looking forward to more from him.”
Despite some rain, the spirits of the horse-and-rider pairs remained undampened in the $20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby. Hunt Tosh clinched the winning title after delivering two remarkable rounds aboard the famous Cannon Creek.
“Coming back on Cannon Creek, I wanted to try to be smooth,” he shared. “He was fabulous in the first round. The second round wasn’t as smooth as I would have liked it to be, he was a little frisky with the storm coming and got a little fresh. But he held his own and we were able to put in a solid round.”
Outshining a field of 32 magnificent hunters, Jennifer Jones secured the top position aboard Copper Canyon in the $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby.
“I’ve been riding him for three years. He’s an amazing horse. He’s very quiet. We just started doing him in the derbies this year, and he’s been great. He was third a few weeks ago, but this is his first derby win.”
Amid a competitive field of 47 junior and amateur athletes vying for victory in the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby, it was Maddie Tosh who claimed the top spot with her brand-new partner Cerano.
“We decided to shape out and do the nine to make the inside turn a little bit easier in the handy. A lot of professionals did that, and when I talked to them, they agreed that was the smartest choice. I felt like I could really call on him in the handy even though the weather got a little crazy. But he couldn’t have been better for our first show, and I am so thankful for the Wheelers’ for purchasing him. I am so excited for the rest of the year.”
Samantha Schaefer claimed the victory on Frasier in the $15,000 1.45m Two Phase Special CSI3*, outpacing the competition by nearly two seconds.
“I had the plan to come and complete the round today, but I am competitive, and Frasier felt nice and fresh,” she added. “The course suited him. He loves the two-phase because I can ease into it and toward the end of the course, he already likes to get on a big stride, so I just am able to roll with it.”
In the $35,000 Florida Coast Equipment Grand Prix CSI3*, Daniel Coyle continued his impressive winning ways and secured the victory aboard Quintin.
“Quintin is very fast across the ground, so I knew I didn’t have to do all of the very handy turns like I did with Farrel.”
The $5,000 1.45m Speed CSI3* welcomed a field of top-notch combinations, and it was Mark Bluman (COL) who navigated to the top aboard Noortje Vd Windheuvel.
“I actually was here when they first opened, and I think I won the second ever grand prix in this arena, so it’s nice to be back. I love it here. I am very lucky to be surrounded by great people and one of my bosses got me a room at [The Equestrian Hotel]. I woke up this morning and watched the 1.40m Speed from my window. Then when it was time, I came down and hopped on.”
Grace Long and her trusted partner Happiness Vd Hazelhof stole the show, outpacing the competition by three seconds in the 1.40m Speed CSI3*.
“I’ve had her since the start of her seven-year-old year, so I’ve known her for quite a while now. She’s always been spicy and opinionated, but she’s a wonderful horse and always tries her heart out for you in the ring.”
Additional Highlights:
Rodrigo Lambre has a good week and claimed the top spot in the $15,000 1.45m Jumper Classic with For Follow PS and the winning title in the $15,000 THIS 1.40m Jumper Classic with Jalapeno Hedoniste.
Katelyn Mcphie secured first place aboard Beaverwoods Hydrangia and second place aboard Posh Opulence in the $2,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby.
Ashley Burgess scored back-to-back wins in the $3,500 2’6” Non Pro Child Hunter Derby with Mike Holtkamp’s Mexx Van Het Noordhof.
In the $3,500 2’6” Non Pro Adult Hunter Derby, Alexa Riccio piloted Ps Riverstone’s Ps Comic Chrome to victory.
Congratulations to all competitors 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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