Ocala, FL – Despite the unseasonably chilly weather in Florida, a strong international field turned up to compete in the $32,000 Golden Ocala Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2*. Natalie Dean (USA) secured her second victory of the week aboard Dotcom D’authuit (Diamant De Semilly x Quidam De Revel), owned by Marigold Sporthorses, LLC, with a blazing fast jump-off.
Irish course designer Colm Quinn set the tracks, narrowing the field to 10 combinations for the jump-off. Riders from the United States, Czech Republic, Canada, Lebanon, Ireland and the Dominican Republic battled for top honors.
Václav Staněk (CZE) was the first to set a tough time to beat, delivering a clear round in 38.95 seconds aboard the 11-year-old KWPN gelding Jasper (Falaise De Muze x Gelha’s VDL Emilion), owned by Ariel Grange.
Staněk’s lead held momentarily, but it wasn’t long before Speed winner Natalie Dean and Dotcom D’authuit matched the challenge.
“Vaclav went in, and he was very fast. I got to watch him go,” Dean shared. “I knew if I was smooth everywhere, I had a good shot at winning. I wanted to use her footspeed and just go for it. It was a lot of galloping and not many related lines except the last.”
Dean and her 12-year-old Selle Français mare blazed through the timers in 37.31 seconds, taking the lead.
“I’ve had her since she was seven, and she’s now 12, so I know her very well. She’s just a winner—she wins all the time. I know I can be very competitive with her at this level,” Dean added.
Jad Dana (LBN) rounded out the podium with Burr Associates, Inc.’s Diamant (Diarado x Cassini II), posting a clear round in 39.91 seconds to claim third place.
$32,000 Golden Ocala Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* Results
1 DOTCOM D’AUTHUIT: 2013 Selle Français mare by Diamant De Semilly x Quidam De Revel
Natalie Dean (USA), Marigold Sporthorses, LLC: 0/0/37.31
2 JASPER: 2014 KWPN gelding by Falaise De Muze x Gelha’s Vdl Emilion
Václav Staněk (CZE), Ariel Grange: 0/0/38.95
3 DIAMANT: 2015 Oldenburg gelding by Diarado x Cassini II
Jad Dana (LBN), Burr Associates, Inc: 0/0/39.91
4 CASCAIS HC: 2015 Warmblood mare by Diktator Van De Boslandhoeve x For Pleasure
Juan Bancalari (DOM), Juan Bancalari: 0/0/40.18
5 CORINNA Z: 2016 Warmblood mare by Cornet Obolensky x Kannan
Kara Chad (CAN), Stone Ridge Farms LLC: 0/0/40.41
6 LINGOTE DE ORO: 2016 KWPN gelding by Kannan x Heartbreaker
Julie Welles (USA), Freedom Group: 0/0/41.48
7 BALOUNITA: 2016 Westphalian mare
Nicholas Dello Joio (USA), Wembley Farms Inc: 0/0/42.69
8 CRISLIN VAN DEN BOSRAND Z: 2016 Zangersheide mare by Carambole x Nabab De Reve
Brian Moggre (USA), Evergate Stables LLC: 0/0/45.90
9 TIAMO CV Z: 2013 Zangersheide gelding by Thunder Vd Zuuthoeve x Nissan Caretano Z
Sloane Coles (USA), Salamander Farm: 0/8/47.83
10 DAYDREAM: 2016 Warmblood mare by Phin Phin x Voltaire Pref
Daniel Coyle (IRL), Ariel Grange: 0/8/56.74
Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results for the Winter Spectacular Show Series on HorseShowing.com. For real-time scoring, check out Ryegate.Live.
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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