Ocala, FL – Week VI of the 2022 Winter Spectacular Show Series kicked off with the $20,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix. Competition was held in the WEC Stadium where 30 horse-and-rider combinations vied for the win over tracks built by FEI Level III course designer, Joey Rycroft (CAN). Eleven entries navigated a clear first round and six jumped double clear, but it was Thomas McDermott (AUS) and his own Alpha Activity (Animate x Alice) that emerged victorious.
This was McDermott’s first time at World Equestrian Center – Ocala, “I haven’t been to America in about five years due to COVID. I am from Australia, and we came over a few months ago, where we were based out of Wellington. We actually fly out tomorrow to head back to Australia, but we have heard nothing but amazing things about this place, so we had to come take a look. We brought [Alpha Activity], stayed in the hotel, won the 1.35m yesterday and won the Welcome today. The trip was more than worth it,” added McDermott.
McDermott and the 13-year-old gelding entered the WEC Stadium toward the end of the order, delivering an effortless first round in 75.952 seconds, well under the time allowed of 84 seconds.
McDermott and Alpha Activity advanced to the jump-off, “I had a plan to go fast. All American’s are notoriously known for going fast, but luckily this horse loves to go quick. He enjoys big open tracks, and this Arena suited him really well.”
The pair advanced to the jump-off, delivering a blazing clear round in 31.911 seconds, a time that no other competitor could catch.
Jacqueline Ruyle (USA) and her own Cyramo Z (Clarimo x Cyprus) followed the winning pair, producing a seamless first round in 75.486 seconds. Ruyle and the 11-year-old Zangersheide mare went straight to the jump-off, soaring through the course in 32.927 seconds, to secure second place.
Lauren Crooks and her own Louisana Van De Moortelshoeve (Bamako De Muze x Wokina Van De Moortelshoeve) managed two smooth rounds, posting a first round time of 78.157 seconds and a jump-off time of 34.353 seconds to round out the top three.
$20,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix Results:
1.Alpha Activity, Thomas McDermott, Thomas McDermott: 0 | 0 | 31.911
2. Cyramo Z, Jacqueline Ruyle, Jacqueline Ruyle: 0 | 0 | 32.927
3. Louisana Van De Moortelshoeve, Lauren Crooks, Lauren Crooks: 0 | 0 | 34.353
4. Hanea, Adolpho Franco, Capital Equine LLC: 0 | 0 | 34.402
5. Morris Horta, Martien Van Der Hoeven, Luccirelli International, LLC: 0 | 0 | 34.650
6. Wonder Kid, Hillary Ridland, Mary Frances Looke: 0 | 0 | 37.218
7. Isaac 22, Victoria Ketchum, Copperline Farm LLC: 0 | 4 | 35.788
8. Dr. J, Grant Seger, Grey Fox Crossing: 0 | 8 | 34.041
9. Ballinteskin Joe, Willie Tynan, MDM Equestrian Group, LLC: 0 | 8 | 34.637
10. Igor, Van De Heibos, Brian Feigus, GFZ Sport Horses LLC: 0 | 8 | 36.014
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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