Aaron Vale & Candro Van De Zuuthoeve Top WEC $200,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix

The WEC Grand Arena hosted thrilling equestrian sport today for the $200,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix, the finale of the Winter Spectacular. Courses for the classes were co-designed by Anderson Lima of Brazil and Bobby Murphy of Lexington, Kentucky, and featured technical tracks with multiple combinations. Stunning floral decorations and other fanciful elements including a lovely Lugano water feature, a unique World Equestrian Center – Ocala Equestrian Hotel wall, and an elegant golden ring jump made the last Saturday evening under the lights extra special.

$200,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix

Forty-seven entries took to the WEC Grand Arena under the lights tonight for the $200,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix. Ten entries advanced to the jump-off, but it was Aaron Vale and Taylor Granat’s Candro Van De Zuuthoeve (Thunder Van De Zuuthoeve x Walach Van De Zuuthoeve) that set the pace with a time that would prove unbeatable.

Aaron Vale and Candro Van De Zuuthoeve clear the Lugano Diamonds oxer for the win in the $200,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix.

During the 12-week Winter Spectacular at World Equestrian Center – Ocala, Aaron Vale has taken 1st place in four grand prix classes. Though Vale and Candro Van De Zuuthoeve had landed in the top few placings in grand prix classes several times throughout the season, the pair had yet to secure a win. Tonight, Vale and the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding were first to contest the course in the jump-off. They set the pace with an impossibly quick, clear round in 41.208 seconds, which would ultimately prove unbeatable.

Molly Ashe Cawley and Berdien soar over the Lugano Diamonds liverpool fence.

Just behind Vale and Candro Van De Zuuthoeve were Molly Ashe Cawley and Louisburg Farm’s Berdien (Bustique x Queen Z). Ashe Cawley and the 10-year-old Zangersheide mare topped the $20,000 WEC Welcome Prix just two days ago, preparing them well for tonight’s class. The duo delivered a clear jump-off in 41.641 seconds, just four-tenths of a second behind Vale for 2nd place.

Bryn Sadler and Cinven CR jump into 3rd place.

Rounding out the top three placings were Bryn Sadler and Showcase 81, LLC’s Cinven CR (Clearway x Raissa CR). Sadler and the 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding have earned top placings in grand prix and welcome prix classes throughout the season and brought their A-game tonight. The pair navigated a clear jump-off round in 43.235 seconds for 3rd place.

$200,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix Results

Candro Van De Zuuthoeve, Aaron Vale – 0 | 0 | 41.208
Berdien, Molly Ashe Cawley – 0 | 0 | 41.641
Cinven CR, Bryn Sadler – 0 | 0 | 43.235
Quincy Too, Fernando Cardenas – 0 | 0 | 45.113
Valentine Car, Fernando Cardenas – 0 | 0 | 45.305
Major, Aaron Vale – 0 |4 | 41.038
Wellington Grey Goose, Rowan Willis – 0 | 4 | 43.169
Fantasy BB, Jonathan McCrea – 0 | 4 | 44.204
Darius, Sean Jobin – 0 | 4 | 47.151
Arpeggi, Brooke Kemper – 0 | 4 | 54.115

$7,500 Futures Prix

This morning’s $7,500 Futures Prix saw a field of 35 highly competitive entries. Eight entries managed double clear rounds, but it was 14-year-old Izzy Beisel and David Beisel’s Ammeretto (Numero Uno x Ranna) who topped the class, notching their third $7,500 Futures Prix win of the season.

Izzy Beisel and Ammeretto jump double clear.

Junior rider Izzy Beisel and the 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion took 1st place in the $7,500 Futures Prix during weeks 9 and 10 of the World Equestrian Center – Ocala Winter Spectacular and were on form again this morning. The pair took to the course near the end of the order, jumping a clear first round in 78.194 seconds, well within the time allowed of 82 seconds. They advanced straight to the jump-off, delivering a second clear round in 36.616 seconds to ultimately win the class.

$7,500 Futures Prix Results