Ocala, FL – Week VII’s featured class action came to a close on Sunday afternoon as fourteen horse-and-rider combinations took to the WEC Grand Arena to vie for the victory over tracks build by FEI Level IV course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN). Three managed clean first rounds and two jumped double clear, but it was Lisa Goldman-Smolen (USA) and Barbara Disko’s Sovereign (Frontal x Galledent) that finished the week on top.
Earlier in the week Goldman-Smolen and Sovereign earned second place in the $20,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix. Goldman-Smolen and Sovereign were the second to last pair down the ramp into the WEC Grand Arena where they produced a quick first round in 82.702 seconds, well under the time allowed of 91 seconds.
“The course rode hard enough. It was the end of a long week, we had two night classes this week and there were a lot of trips to go ahead of us. Leopoldo set amazing tracks, that were difficult and challenging. It was just technical enough to have rails in different spots,” said Goldman-Smolen. “Sovereign is wonderful. He loves his job; he’s fast off the ground and he want to be clear. He’s a naturally fast horse, so I don’t have to worry about time too often.”
Goldman-Smolen and the 13-year-old Selle Francais stallion advanced right to the jump, “I knew I didn’t have to go all out for the jump-off because there was only one double clear, but I knew I still had Grant Seger behind me. So, I wanted to be fast enough, but not too fast where I would risk a rail.”
The pair flew around the course, dashing through the turns while soaring over the jumps to stop the clock at 37.908 seconds for the win.
Olympian Fabian Sejanes (ARG) and his own Emir (Eurocommerce Dubai x Bellonie) were the only other pair to manage double clear rounds. Sejanes and the 13-year-old KWPN gelding navigated the course for a smooth first round in 90.752 seconds, just within the time allowed. The pair advanced to the jump-off, rolling through the course in 41.600 seconds.
Kady Abrahamson (USA) and Abrahamson Equestrian LLC’s Banco Du Moulin (Popstar Lozonais x Gerboise Du Moulin) rounded out the top three in the $15,000 WEC Ocala 1.45m Jumper Classic. Abrahamson and Banco Du Moulin were the first horse-and-rider combination to produce a faultless first round in 87.119 seconds. The pair went straight to the jump-off, flying through the course while taking tight inside turns to stop the clock at 37.049 seconds, with one rail down.
$15,000 WEC Ocala 1.45m Jumper Classic Results:
1.Sovereign, Lisa Goldman-Smolen, Barbara Disko: 0 | 0 | 37.908
2. Emir, Fabian Sejanes, Fabian Sejanes: 0 | 0 | 41.600
3. Banco Du Moulin, Kady Abrahamson, Abrahamson Equestrian LLC: 0 | 4 | 37.049
4. Catch the Dollar, Bryn Sadler, Showcase 81, LLC: 2 | 92.279
5. Plot Z, Grant Seger, Grey Fox Crossing: 4 | 81.871
6. Ivaro N, Lisa Goldman-Smolen, Barbara Disko: 4 | 84.656
7. Centolino Clasico, Jared Petersen, Luella Gruenthal: 4 | 85.273
8. Oaks Come By Chance, David Cameron, Tallara Cameron: 4 | 88.170
9. Active X Van WWW.Olland.Bizz, Katia Manuel-Adams, Joan Van Gorkum: 4 | 90.334
10. Candyman Z, Molly Kenney, Molly Kenney: 8 | 84.109
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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