Feature classes for Week 7 of the World Equestrian Center — Ocala Winter Spectacular 2021 kicked off this afternoon in the WEC Grand Arena with the $20,000 Welcome Prix 1.45m. Thirty-seven international entries contested a technical track designed by Kelvin Bywater featuring 16 jumping efforts including a triple combination and a double combination. Ten entries advanced to the jump-off with just four jumping double clear, but it was Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC’s Bull Run’s Divine Fortune (Padinus x Amhilavsca Fortuna) that took home the blue ribbon, notching their second $20,000 Welcome Prix 1.45m win of the season.
Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC’s Bull Run’s Divine Fortune (Padinus x Amhilavsca Fortuna) took to the course mid-way through the order of go. Vanderveen and the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare took the win in the $20,000 Welcome Prix 1.45m during Week 5 of the World Equestrian Center — Ocala Winter Spectacular 2021 and were on form again this afternoon. The pair delivered the fastest clear first round of the class in 70.608 seconds, well within the time allowed of 76 seconds, then continued straight to the jump-off. Four entries had contested the short course before Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Divine Fortune, but none had managed a clear round. The pair were determined to leave all rails up, but still picked up pace and took tidy inside turns to fences 14 and 15, as well as the combination. The duo stopped the clock with a second clear round at 40.630 seconds, which would prove unbeatable for the remainder of the class.
Sliding into 2nd place just behind Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Divine Fortune were Jonathan McCrea and Windsor Show Stables’ Jasmijn (Diamant De Semilly x Gitania Van’t Eigenlo). McCrea and the 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare earned 10th place in Week 4’s $20,000 Welcome Prix 1.45m and brought their A-game to this afternoon’s class. The pair were quick and clear in the first round in 70.398 seconds, then advanced straight to the jump-off. McCrea and Jasmijn also opted for the inside track and crossed the timers with all rails up at 41.333 seconds for 2nd place.
McCrea also found two successful rounds aboard Windsor Show Stables’ Superwoman DK Z (Sisley De La Tour Vidal x Careful Z). He and the 8-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare earned the Champion title in the 1.45m jumpers during Week 4 of the World Equestrian Center — Ocala Winter Spectacular 2021, preparing them well for this afternoon’s Welcome Prix. The duo jumped double clear with a jump-off time of 48.431 for a 4th place finish.
Rounding out the top three finishers were Darragh Kerins and NRG Farm LLC’s Carlos JD Z (Canturo x Brioche V/H Gehucht Z). Kerins and the 11-year-old Warmblood gelding often earn ribbons in the 1.40-1.50m jumpers and were well-schooled for this afternoon’s 1.45m track. The pair navigated a clear first round in 72.610 seconds and continued straight to the jump-off. Kerins and Carlos JD Z chose the inside track, jumping a second clear round in 44.906 seconds for 3rd place.
Vanderveen of Bull Run Jumpers in Wellington, Florida took a moment to chat with us about her win, “I really liked the course today. I thought Kelvin Bywater did a great job. I was happy that the time allowed was a bit tight, I thought that kept the class very interesting. Bull Run’s Divine Fortune has felt great this week. This was her main class for the week, so it was nice that she peaked today and really put forth her best effort.”
When asked about her plan in the jump-off, Vanderveen replied, “With no double clear rounds before my round I actually didn’t go quite as fast as I normally would have, and being a little more careful and conservative seemed to really pay off today.”
Vanderveen also commented on her mount, Bull Run’s Divine Fortune, “She is 12 years old and I’ve had her for a few years. She is typically my speed horse, so speed is her specialty. The 1.45m speed classes are really her niche and she really shines at this level.”
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
$20,000 Welcome Prix 1.45m Results
- Bull Run’s Divine Fortune, Kristen Vanderveen – 0 | 0 | 40.630
- Jasmijn, Jonathan McCrea – 0 | 0 | 41.333
- Carlos JD Z, Darragh Kerins – 0 | 0 | 44.906
- Superwoman DK Z, Jonathan McCrea – 0 | 0 | 48.431
- Stonehenge 5, Kama Godek – 0 | 4 | 42.214
- Morris Horta, Martien Van Der Hoeven – 0 | 4 | 42.816
- La Belle SCF, Summer Hill – 0 | 4 | 44.289
- Warnike, Jordan Coyle – 0 | 8 | 44.408
- Carrasca Z, Taylor Flury – 0 | 12 | 45.854
- One Blue, Selcuk Koksalan – 0 | 16 | 58.529