Fifty-one competitive horse and rider combinations took to the WEC Grand Arena this evening to contest the $15,000 WEC Welcome Prix, and ultimately it was Jordan Petersen and Derek Petersen’s, Diamant’s Legacy who jumped to the win.
Olympic level course designer Guilherme Jorge of Brazil created the technical course this evening that featured several combinations, including a complex triple. Nineteen entries managed a clear first round qualifying them for the jump-off. Eight pairs ultimately went clean over the short course, making for an intense competition. While the top two placings were separated by 1.123 seconds, Jordan Petersen and Diamant’s Legacy (Diamant De Semilly x Courtney Love II) emerged victorious.
Petersen and Diamant’s Legacy the 12-year-old Oldenburg stallion started strong with a first round time of 76.388 seconds, well under the time allowed of 81 seconds. Petersen from High Springs, Florida and Diamant’s Legacy have been a dynamic and nearly unstoppable pair for well over two years. Petersen’s Father-in-Law Derick Petersen says the horse loves the WEC Grand Arena. “He really likes that ring. He won two Grands Prix during the winter circuit then a second place, third, and fourth. He loves it and I am glad that is where he will be spending most of his time because it is right down the street.
Petersen was ready to go fast. “The only real number that we planned on because we had to stick with the four down the first line, was to do seven to the last jump and keep the roll backs tidy. The biggest one for him was to keep up that vertical on the slice. So, I knew once we left that up, we were in pretty good shape.”
Petersen and Diamant’s Legacy flew through the jump-off with forward distances and neat turns to record a time of 33.721 seconds for the win.
Juan M Gallego Martinez of Wellington, Florida and Double O Seven 111 Z (Der Senaat 111 x Volivia) completed a gorgeous first round, stopping the timers at 79.051 seconds. Martinez and the extremely scopey 10-year-old Zangersheide stallion performed a fast and clean jump-off stopping the timers at 33.721 seconds for the second place finish.
Martinez also captured the third place finish with Adalberto Audi Scappino, a 9-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding. Martinez and Adalberto Audi Scappino delivered a flawless fault-free first round stopping the timer at 79.309 seconds. Martinez and Adalberto Audi Scappino sliced their way to third place in the jump-off stopping the clock at 36.063 seconds.
The second week of the Ocala Summer Series continues through June 20 at World Equestrian Center – Ocala with competition in six rings, and feature jumper action including the $75,000 Calluna Spa Grand Prix on Saturday night. View the free live stream at ClipMyHorseTV.com.
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
$15,000 WEC Welcome Prix Results
1 Diamant’s Legacy, Jordan Petersen, Derek Petersen: 0 | 0 | 33.721
2 Double O Seven 111 Z, Juan M Gallego Martinez, Juan M Gallego Martinez: 0 | 0 | 34.844
3 Adalberto Audi Scappino, Juan M Gallego Martinez, Eduardo Navarro Sanchez: 0 | 0 | 36.063
4 ABC Quantum Cruise,Diego Bilbao, Wyndmont Inc.: 0 | 0 | 36.331
5 Cinderella Z, Shawn Casady, Caroline’s Kids LLC: 0 | 0 | 37.557
6 Chronicle, Megan Wexler, Megan Wexler Golden Oaks Farm, LLC: 0 | 0 | 38.518
7 Ivano Van De Zeihoek, Fabio Costa, Bonne Chance Farm: 0 | 0 | 38.739
8 HFB Versace, Hercules Gadelha, Bonne Chance Farm: 0 | 0 | 40.168
9 MTM Dolce Vita, Tracy Fenney, Mtm Farm: 0 | 4 | 34.318
10 Follow Me, David Jennings, The Follow Me Group: 0 | 4 | 36.849