Ocala, FL– National-level competition resumed on Sunday at World Equestrian Center – Ocala with the $40,000 Hampton Green Farms Grand Prix, where 26 horse-and-rider combinations contested Bernardo Costa Cabral’s (POR) challenging tracks. Ultimately, it was Brooke Kemper (USA) and Sarah Campbell’s Quartier Van De Begijnakker (For Pleasure x Hermine Van De Begijnakker) who set the standard as the first to go—and proved untouchable to claim the win.
Despite rainy conditions, eight riders navigated the first-round course without fault to advance to the jump-off. Kemper was pleased with her first round, noting, “It wasn’t raining when I went in. The track rode beautifully, it was nice and smooth, and everything came up perfect for him.”
Returning first for the jump-off, Kemper kept her strategy simple with the nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding. “I just wanted to go in and do what I could do. My horse is still a little green, so my plan was to just try to be as quick as I could and have the rest chase me.” Their time of 36.04 seconds held strong, securing the top placing.
Kemper was particularly proud of her horse’s effort. “I was really proud of the way he left out from one to two and then made the inside turn back to the vertical. He’s a big horse, and a turn like that is quite a hard question for him, and he answered it great.”
She also spoke about her partnership with Quartier Van De Begijnakker, sharing, “‘Chuck’ actually lives in Arkansas with my friend Greg Burrow, who trains him for Sarah Campbell. She isn’t here, but we’ve already talked on the phone, and she is so excited,” she said. “This year we’ve been developing him. He did his first two-star last fall. He just keeps stepping up, figuring it out, and getting better. He was really catching on today, and we’re really happy with him—he’s come such a long way.”
Rebecca Conway (USA) and Con Coleur (Contendro I x Charlotta), a 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Blue Hill Farm, LLC, were the only other pair to produce a double-clear effort, stopping the clock in 37.17 seconds to finish second.
Sharn Wordley (NZL) was the fastest of the class with Della Wordley’s Valentine Car (Son of Juan Car x Sofia Car), completing the course in 33.92 seconds. However, an unfortunate rail at the third-to-last fence kept them out of contention for the win, ultimately placing third.
Additional awards included the Fastest Four-Faulter, earned by Kady Abrahamson and Kannan CK with a quick first-round time of 76.18 seconds, and the Luck of the Draw Award, which went to Carly Anthony.
The 2025 Winter Spectacular Show Series continues next week with CSI4* and CSI2* competition alongside national-level classes.
$40,000 Hampton Green Farms Grand Prix Results
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
Videos available at ClipMyHorse.TV
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