Ocala, FL – World Equestrian Center – Ocala welcomes back international Jumping competition this week, marking the beginning of four more exciting international weeks as part of the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series. This morning, the WEC Grand Arena played host to 40 top-notch athletes representing nine different nations to compete in the 1.40m Speed CSI3*. Colm Quinn (IRL), an FEI Level III course designer crafted the track, but it was Emilie Conter (BEL), a World Equestrian Center – Ocala newcomer, who made an impressive debut claiming both first and second place.
Riding her own Portobella Van De Fruitkorf, a nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare by Bamako De Muze x Nabab De Reve, Conter blazed through the course with a fast time of 62.61 seconds, securing the top spot. Not far behind, aboard her second mount Cilanto XC Z, a 10-year-old Zangersheide stallion owned by Stephex Stables, Conter delivered another speedy performance, clocking in at 63.78 seconds for second place.
Reflecting on her rides, Conter expressed her satisfaction, “The horses I rode in the class are a bit younger, nine and 10 years old, so they are just stepping up, but they both rode really well today,” she shared. “With my mare, I didn’t do anything too crazy. I went a bit tighter around the turns, and did one stride less in a few areas, she felt great.”
“On my other horse, ‘Cilanto’, I was trying a new bit, and in the beginning of the course, he was still getting used to it, but it gradually got better through the course. He was turning much better at the end.”
Starting her week on a high note, Conter is looking forward to the rest of the week at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. “This is my first time here, which is very exciting. I came in late last night, so I am looking forward to exploring the property today. It’s massive and so beautiful. So far, there is nothing bad to say about this place. I love it here already!”
Juan Pablo Gnecco (COL) guided his own 12-year-old KWPN gelding Habab-w (Numero Uno x Montreal) to third place with a time of 64.48 seconds.
1.40m Speed CSI3* Top Three Results:
1 Portobella Van De Fruitkorf: 2015 Belgian Warmblood mare by Bamako De Muze x Nabab De Reve
Emilie Conter (BEL), Emilie Conter: 0/62.61
2 Cilanto Xc Z: 2014 Zangersheide stallion by Chellsini Z x Quintus
Emilie Conter (BEL), Stephex Stables: 0/63.78
3 Habab-w: 2012 KWPN gelding by Nabab De Reve x Padinus
Juan Pablo Gnecco (COL), Juan Pablo Gnecco: 0/64.48
For final results, visit HorseShowing.com.
Adam Sklansky and Hakini Race to Victory in $5,000 1.45m Speed CSI3*
In the 1.45m Speed CSI3*, a competitive field of top-tier horse-and-rider combinations contended for the top prize over Colm Quinn’s track. Ultimatley, it was Adam Sklansky (USA) who claimed victory, piloting Ellen Walker’s speedy Hakini (Numero Uno x Montreal) to the quickest round.
Sklansky and Hakini were one of the final pairs to attempt Quinn’s welcoming track. Leveraging the 12-year-old KWPN mare’s quick speed across the ground, the pair crossed the timers in an impressive 63.55 seconds.
Reflecting on his partnership with Hakini, Sklansky shared, “We’ve had her going on four years now. We stepped up to some FEI classes maybe a year ago. She’s only done one or two three-stars, but today she felt great. Last week was our first week here, and I just did her in a national 1.40m and the welcome prix, she was quick but had one down. I just left her fresh for this week because she has two more classes ahead of her.”
Sklanksy plans to show the talented mare in tomorrow’s grand prix qualifier and Saturday night’s grand prix, “We are here for a month. I will probably give her off next week and show again in the three-star during week IX. We love coming here, you feel like you’re jumping at the Olympics in this ring with the hotel as a backdrop.”
Heather Caristo-Williams (USA) and Stephanie Bulger’s 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding Marciano Mvf (Stakkato x Leberoi H) found second place with a time of 64.91 seconds.
Enrique Gonzalez (MEX) and his 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Origi Van De Zeshoek (Marius Claudius x Eldorado Van De Zeshoek Tn) and Alessandra Volpi (USA) and her own 12-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding Gracieux Du Pachis (Tinka’s Boy x Caretino), tied for third place with a time of 65.47 seconds.
1.45m Speed CSI3* Top Three Results:
1 Hakini: 2012 KPWN mare by Numero Uno x Montreal
Adam Sklansky (USA), Ellen Walker: 0/63.55
2 Marciano Mvf: 2011 Zangersheide gelding by Stakkato x Leberoi H
Heather Caristo-Williams (USA), Stephanie Bulger: 0/64.91
T3 Origi Van De Zeshoek: 2014 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Marius Claudius x Eldorado Van De Zeshoek Tn
Enrique Gonzalez (MEX), Enrique Gonzalez: 0/65.47
T3 Gracieux Du Pachis: 2012 Belgian Sport Horse gelding by Tinka’s Boy x Caretino
Alessandra Volpi (USA), Alessandra Volpi: 0/65.47
Spectators are welcome! From now until March 24, 2024, experience the thrill of the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results on HorseShowing.com. For real-time scoring, check out Ryegate.Live.
A limited number of weekly stalls remain for the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series, book your stall today!
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
Videos available at ClipMyHorse.TV
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Plan your stay at World Equestrian Center – Ocala.