Ocala, FL – International show jumping is in full swing at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC). A picture-perfect Florida day set the scene for the $32,000 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2*, where 46 horse-and-rider combinations representing 16 nations contested the top spot on the leaderboard. In the end, it was Brazil’s Celso Ariani and San Marino Stables’ Jip Van T&L Z (James Vd Kornelishoeve x Toulon) who emerged victorious.
FEI Level III course designer Andy Christiansen (ECU) set a demanding first-round track that featured technical lines and a tight time allowed, which proved difficult for several combinations. Only four pairs managed to deliver clear rounds, setting the stage for a jump-off showdown between Brazil, Mexico, the United States and Ireland.
“It was a very nice course,” said Celso Ariani. “I was a little surprised there were so few clear rounds. I was lucky to go later in the order, which gave me the opportunity to watch the first round and see where others were picking up time faults. The time allowed was tricky, so I galloped as much as I could in the first round.”
As the first clear in the opening round, Ariani returned first for the jump-off aboard the 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding. His plan was straightforward: “I wanted to try for six strides from one to two and then just keep going as fast as I could.”
The strategy paid off. The pair delivered a quick and fault-free effort in 40.27 seconds—a time that would prove unbeatable.
“I’m very happy with my horse, he’s just getting better and better. I’ve been riding him for over a year now, and he hasn’t done much FEI before, so this was a great start. A few weeks ago, I had an accident, so this is my first week back in the saddle, and I am very happy with the result.”
Ariani is thrilled to be back at WEC – Ocala following a successful four-star outing last summer. “I love every centimeter of this place. Everything is perfect. I am 58 years old and have competed at most of the major shows across Europe, the United States and there is truly no other place that compares.”
Mexico’s Maya Denis was the only other athlete to produce a double-clear effort. She piloted Overnusa LLC’s Luidam Quality (Luidam x Obos Quality 004), a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, to two stellar rounds. In the jump-off, the pair stopped the clock in 41.06 seconds—just shy of the winning time—to secure second place.
Rounding out the podium was Hilary McNerney (USA) with her own Brava (Balou Du Rouet x Graf Top), an 11-year-old Hanoverian mare. The duo posted the fastest time of the jump-off at 39.24 seconds but incurred a four-fault score to finish third.
International competition continues Saturday, June 14 with the highlight event of the week, the $75,000 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Grand Prix CSI2*, set to begin at 7:30pm in the WEC Grand Arena. Spectators are welcome; admission and parking are free.
$32,000 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* Results:
1 JIP VAN T&L Z: 2013 Zangersheide gelding by James Vd Kornelishoeve X Toulon
Celso Ariani (BRA), San Marino Stables: 0/0/40.27
2 LUIDAM QUALITY: 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Luidam X Obos Quality 004
Maya Denis (MEX), Overnusa LLC: 0/0/41.06
3 BRAVA: 2014 Hannoveraner mare by Balou Du Rouet X Graf Top
Hilary McNerney (USA), Hilary McNerney: 0/4/39.24
4 FOR DAD: 2016 Hanoverian stallion by Firth Of Lorne x Landjonker
Cormac Hanley (IRL), Heathman Farm, LLC: 0/4/40.23
5 MESSBLUECENTO PS: 2017 Oldenburg gelding by Messenger
Aaron Vale (USA), Don Stewart & Thinkslikeahorse: 1/82.12
6 CASCAIS HC: 2015 mare by Diktator Van De Boslandhoeve X For Pleasure
Juan Bancalari (DOM), Juan Bancalari: 1/82.14
7 VALDES: 2013 Zangersheide gelding by Vigo D Arsouilles Stx X Ircolando
Antonio Martinez (VEN), Antonio Martinez: 2/83.48
8 OLYMPIA VAN HET EIKENHOF: 2014 Belgian Warmblood mare by Elvis Ter Putte X Toulon
Abigail McArdle (USA), Sweetwater Jumpers LLC: 3/84.64
9 CARO W: 2012 Holsteiner gelding by Castelan II x Aragorn
Jad Dana (LBN), Laure Sudreau: 4/76.53
10 MESCANDRO PS: 2014 Hanoverian gelding by Messenger X Dobel’s Cento
Ben Taylor (GBR), Ben Taylor: 4/77.63
Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results on HorseShowing.com. For real-time scoring, check out Ryegate.Live.
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
Videos available at ClipMyHorse.TV