Ocala, FL – National hunter/jumper competition returned to World Equestrian Center – Ocala last week despite the tropical storm on Thursday. The $24,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix saw a change of scenery with competition held in one of World Equestrian Center – Ocala’s climate-controlled indoor arenas. With a spate of recent indoors wins at WEC – Ohio, Santiago Lambre and Cetano Van Aspergem Z proved unstoppable, landing the victory in both the welcome prix and $100,000 Florida Coast Equipment Grand Prix. Read on for additional highlights.
Watch Brazil and Australia battle for the victory in the $100,000 Florida Coast Equipment National Grand Prix during World Equestrian Center – Ocala’s 2022 USEF Fall Show Series.
Cady Klimas and Jumpers Landing LLC’s Celtic Lady M2S snagged the $10,000 1.40m Jumper Classic win on Sunday morning.
“Today, I had my game face on. I showed on Wednesday, but it was a bit sticky, so I felt like we needed to step up our game today, especially with today’s competitive class.”
Santiago Lambre (BRA) and his own Cetano Van Aspergem Z scored their second victory of the week in the $100,000 Florida Coast Equipment National Grand Prix.
“I didn’t want to go too fast to the double combination, but I had to take the risk and not add a step. I didn’t have the best approach to the last fence, but I couldn’t hit the brakes or else I wouldn’t have been able to win. Sometimes you have to go with your eye and stray from your plan.”
Brooks Hull (USA) and Zechariah 3:9, owned by Derek Petersen, were victorious in Friday night’s $15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix.
“Zechariah has been a great horse for me. It has taken me some time to figure him out because I have never ridden a horse so powerful. I have learned so much and love showing him.”
Taylor Ann Adams and Don Stewart’s Starfighter earned top scores to win the $12,500 WEC – Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby. The pair received scores of 90 and 92.
“Starfighter is the best hunter derby horse. This is the only class he ever shows in. He doesn’t need any prep. You take him out of the field, show up and win. Then he knows he gets to go get turned out when he gets back home. It’s the best life.”
Erin McCabe Clayton rode Milo to victory in the $10,000 WEC – Ocala 3′ Open Hunter Derby.
“I made a mistake in the first round and had some points to make up, so I knew I was going to have to take some risks,” said Clayton. “I decided to go inside after jump two and stay as tidy as I could everywhere else.”
Madison Moore and King VD Wellington scored the blue ribbon in the $10,000 WEC Ocala 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby.
“This was my last show as a junior, so I couldn’t be happier with the result. I had no expectations going into the class today, I just wanted to have a good round, and if I was able to make it in the top 12, I would have been happy,” laughed Moore. “I am so happy to end my junior career on such a high note and this happened to be my first derby win ever. I am so proud of King.”
Santiago Lambre scored his first victory of the week aboard Cetano Van Aspergem Z in the $24,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix.
“I wanted to be tidy and quick. There were a lot of inside turns in the jump-off, and ‘Cetano’ is very careful, so I knew he would easily be able to navigate the inside turns. I think I was a little too tidy to the blue vertical, but it worked out nicely.”
Nadia Mirza her own Millpoint’s Rock Candy captured the $2,000 WEC Pony Hunter Derby victory.
Emily Smith and her own Ipanema earned the $3,500 WEC Ocala 2’6” Non Pro Hunter Derby win with an overall score of 158.
Congratulations to all entries on a successful first week of national competition!
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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