Ocala, FL – Top show jumping competition made a thrilling return under the lights of the WEC Grand Arena for the first feature event of the 2024 Summer Series: the $32,500 Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2*. A star-studded field of 45 horse-and-rider combinations from 11 different nations competed over a challenging course designed by FEI Level III course designer Andy Christiansen (ECU). Fresh off a successful European tour, Aaron Vale (USA) came back to Ocala in top form, clinching the first feature win of the summer circuit with Thinkslikeahorse’s Prescott (Lordanos x Bb Carvallo).
Ten combinations from the United States, Ireland, El Salvador, Mexico, Great Britain, and Canada advanced to the jump-off after clear first rounds.
Vale and the 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Prescott, were the sixth pair to tackle the jump-off course. “From one to two, I think I caught two strides less than everybody else. Then, I cut one less to the combination, and then I was able to be patient to the next two fences. Going to the last, I was on a nice gallop and was able to leave out to the last too.”
The pair flew through the timers, stopping the clock in a blistering 35.63 seconds to ultimately take home the win.
Vale, listed on the U.S. Jumping Team Olympic Short List, has been competing across Europe in Nations Cup™ events and the Longines League of Nations™ series. His efforts contributed to a podium finish for the U.S. in the second leg of the Longines League of Nations at World Equestrian Center – Ocala in March. Reflecting on his experiences, Vale remarked, “Every show feels like the Super Bowl. Great crowds, great competition, and incredible horses. Traveling to incredible places like Rome and La Baule has been amazing and I am so grateful to be to compete at such amazing venues.”
Dylan Daly (IRL) was just shy of the top spot, finishing just six-tenths of a second behind Vale with Double C Stables’ 14-year-old Zangersheide mare Cinderella Z (Chacco-Blue x Julio Mariner XX), clocking in at 36.32 seconds.
Rounding out the podium was Juan Bolanos (ESA) and BZB Barn LLC’s Zilouet Mystic Rose (Balou Du Rouet x Chin Chin) with a time of 36.95 seconds.
$32,500 Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* Final Results:
1 Prescott: 2012 Holsteiner gelding by Lordanos x Bb Carvallo
Aaron Vale (USA), Thinkslikeahorse: 0 | 0 | 35.63
2 Cinderella Z: 2010 Zangersheide gelding by Chacco-blue x Julio Mariner Xx
Dylan Daly (IRL), Double C Stables: 0 | 0 | 36.32
3 Zilouet Mystic Rose: 2013 Belgian Warmblood mare by Balou Du Rouet x Chin Chin
Juan Bolanos (ESA), BZB Barn LLC: 0 | 0 | 36.95
4 Kinmar Quality Hero: 2013 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Obos Quality 004
Tanner Korotkin (USA), Sandalwood Farms: 0 | 0 | 38.93
5 Postin Ls La Silla: 2015 La Silla gelding
Maya Denis (MEX), Maya Denis: 0 | 0 | 39.24
6 Spy: 2014 Oldenburg gelding by Centadel x Chacco Blue
Paul O’Shea (IRL), Team Eye Candy: 0 | 0 | 40.65
7 Lezaro: 2011 Oldeburg gelding by Böckmann’s Lord Pezi x Landadel
Tanner Korotkin (USA), McLain Ward: 0 | 4 | 38.41
8 Jasper: 2014 KWPN gelding by Carrera Vdl x Otangelo
Dani Gascoigne (GBR), York Story Limited: 0 | 4 | 39.39
9 Henry Jota Ariel: 2015 AAFE mare by Picadilly Tame x Casparo
Hunter Holloway (USA), Hays Investment Corp.: 0 | 4 | 46.06
10 Butterfly: 2016 Westphalian mare
Gavin Moylan (CAN), Imperial Equine: 0 | 8 | 42.02
Visit HorseShowing.com for final results.
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.
Videos available at ClipMyHorse.TV
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