Ocala, FL – The 12-week 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series came to a close this afternoon as a top-level field of athletes vied for the final win in the $15,000 Taylor Harris Insurance Services 1.45m Jumper Classic. Kevin Holowack (CAN) set the closing classic tracks, where 18-year-old Ansgar Holtgers Jr. (USA) captured the victory aboard Gut Einhaus, LLC’s Chanyon (Chacco-blue x Lisanna) and galloped away with the champion title.
Only three athletes managed to yield a clean effort over a similar track to the one from last night’s $250,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix.
Allen Nabors led the charge aboard Dutch Valley Sporthorse’s Master Clinton DVE (Clinton x Diona V/D Wezelse Heihoeve VM). Nabors and the 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding made light work of the short course stopping the clock at 37.335 seconds.
Vicente Guillen (VEN) and Tranqulity Farm’s Evolene De Carles (Kannan x Rafale De Carles) were the next pair to find their way to the short course. Guillen and the nine-year-old Selle Francais mare found a blistering fast time in 34.828 seconds, but had one unlucky rail down.
Ansgar Holtgers Jr. was the only other athlete to find the path to a clear first round to advance to the jump-off. Holtgers was familiar with the track after last night’s grand prix, “Riding the grand prix last night helped with the lines and knowing the track. I think it was an incredible experience for Junior and Amateur riders to be able to show over a similar course today. It’s a great experience for both the riders and the horses.”
Holtgers and the 15-year-old Oldenburg gelding navigated the first-round course with ease to advance right to the jump-off, “I watched Allen go and I knew from one to two I could do nine, which was a big advantage because he’s such a big strided horse. I went inside to jump four and to the last I took a quick look at the time and thought I needed to move, so I left one out there also.”
The pair soared over the final fence stopping the clock at 36.181 seconds to secure the top spot on the leaderboard.
“A lot of people have said this to me, and I’ve said it to a lot of people – the jumps out there, especially last night, it feels like you’re competing at a World Championship. The atmosphere is always incredible and last night it was electric. Even today, it was hot, but people still came out to watch. I think it’s incredible to have this facility and see so many people enjoying the sport,” shared Holtgers.
$15,000 Taylor Harris Insurance Services 1.45m Jumper Classic Results:
1 Chanyon, Ansgar Holtgers Jr, Gut Einhaus, LLC: 0 | 0 | 36.181
2 Master Clinton DVE, Allen Nabors, Dutch Valley Sporthorses: 0 | 0 | 37.335
3 Evolene De Carles, Vicente Guillen, Tranquility Farm: 0 | 4 | 34.828
4 Conny 409, Kama Godek, Kama Godek: 3 | 78.145
5 Clever Van De Helle, Kyle Dewar, Kyle Dewar: 4 | 70.722
6 Cellisto, Danica Meyerhoff, Danica Meyerhoff: 4 | 72.430
7 Cretchon Z, Priscila Simpson, Priscila Simpson: 4 | 72.753
8 Doki Du Loret, Kayla Benney, Dawn Willey: 4 | 72.920
9 Seaview Demonstration, Brooke Kemper, CM Sporthorses: 4 | 73.190
10 Hayadina PP, Adolpho Franco, Capital Equine LLC: 8 | 71.842
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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