Ocala, FL – The $62,500 Wheels Up & 5×5 Trading Grand Prix CSI2* was the highlight event of the week, welcoming a competitive field of 32 horse-and-rider combinations from 11 different nations to compete over Andy Christiansen’s (ECU) challenging track. At the end of the night, Maya Denis (MEX) and her own Callypso De La Hamente Z (Chellsini Z x Kashmir Van Schuttershof) emerged victorious after a thrilling 12-horse jump-off.
The jump-off featured top athletes representing Ireland, Great Britain, the United States, El Salvador, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, and the Dominican Republic. Each combination was faster than the last, but Maya Denis was confident coming back with her speedy eight-year-old Zangersheide gelding.
“I knew coming back, he’s a really fast horse and I just used that to my advantage,” Denis shared. “I had my plan set for nine strides from the third jump to the double. I almost decided to do eight, but I went with my instincts. Then there were a lot of galloping distances, especially towards the end, so I kept going forward and everything came up perfectly.”
The pair flew through the timers in a blistering 37.58 seconds, ultimately sealing the victory and galloping away with an international win.
“This is a big ask for him. He delivers every time and he’s such a good boy. He did so great tonight. We’ve really only stepped up to the international level last month, so I am thrilled,” she exclaimed. “To kick off his international career, especially as an eight-year-old so strong, I couldn’t be happier. Now, he will get a much-deserved break, do some smaller heights to keep him happy, then move back up. I want to take my time with him and really let him grow with the levels,” she added.
With a time of 38.14 seconds, Juan Bolanos (ESA) secured yet another podium finish this week aboard BZB Barn LLC’s 11-year-old Warmblood mare, Zilouet Mystic Rose (Balou Du Rouet x Chin Chin).
Juan Bancalari (DOM) rounded out the podium aboard his own Ballypatrick Flamenco (Je T’aime Flamenco x Cruising), a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse stallion, with a time of 39.31 seconds.
$62,500 Wheels Up & 5×5 Trading Grand Prix CSI2* Results:
1 Callypso De La Hamente Z: 2016 Zangersheide gelding by Chellsini Z x Kashmir Van Schuttershof
Maya Denis (MEX), Maya Denis: 0 | 0 | 37.58
2 Zilouet Mystic Rose: 2013 BH mare by Balou Du Rouet x Chin Chin
Juan Bolanos (ESA), BZB Barn LLC: 0 | 0 | 38.14
3 Ballypatrick Flamenco: 2010 Irish Sport Horse stallion by Je T’aime Flamenco x Cruising
Juan Bancalari (DOM), Juan Bancalari: 0 | 0 | 39.31
4 James Blond: 2014 KWPN gelding by Nabab De Reve x Jonggor’s Ajonc
Captain Brian Cournane (USA), Glenbeigh Farm LLC: 0 | 0 | 39.73
5 Quantum Trost: 2011 Holsteiner stallion by Quintero x Capitol I
Abby Grabowski (USA), Abby Grabowski: 0 | 0 | 40.06
6 Jasper: 2014 KWPN gelding by Carrera Vdl x Otangelo
Dani Gascoigne (GBR), York Story Limited: 0 | 0 | 45.70
7 Cinderella Z: 2010 Zangersheide gelding by Chacco-blue x Julio Mariner Xx
Dylan Daly (IRL), Double C Stables: 0 | 4 | 36.80
8 Olympia Van Het Eikenhof: 2014 Belgian Warmblood mare by Elvis Ter Putte x Toulon
Abigail McArdle (USA), Sweetwater Jumpers LLC: 0 | 4 | 37.80
9 Kinmar Quality Hero: 2013 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Obos Quality 004
Tanner Korotkin (USA), Sandalwood Farms: 0 | 4 | 38.14
10 Vick Du Croisy: 2009 Selle Francais mare by Lord Carthago x Vondeen
Luis Sabino Goncalves (POR), Sigma Stables LLC: 0 | 4 | 39.66
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.
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