Ocala, FL – The $15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix was the highlight Jumping event of the afternoon in the WEC Stadium as a field of 29 horse-and-rider combinations vied for the lion’s share of the prize money over a track built by FEI Level III course designer Joey Rycroft (CAN). Daniel Coyle (IRL) secured his third consecutive victory, this time aboard Amalia (Arezzo VDL x Kyacinthe), owned by Ariel Grange.
Coyle’s 2024 has been marked by success, including two European World Cup™ victories, a double triumph in the $100,000 Wheels Up Grand Prix last Saturday night, and a win in Thursday’s $24,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix.
He kept that same winning momentum heading into the feature class this afternoon. Coyle and Amalia were the second pair to navigate a clear first round. “It was a good track. I think it was perfect for today. It’s a bit of a unique style with an immediate jump-off, some horses like that, and some don’t do too well. ‘Peaches’ has such a good engine, it’s good to keep her going, so this really suited her today.”
Coyle and the 12-year-old KWPN mare advanced straight to the short course. Coyle utilized the mare’s quick foot speed and stopped the clock in 35.269 seconds, a time that no other competitor could catch.
The talented mare is just getting back into the swing of things and according to Coyle she feels better than ever, “We’ve had Peaches since she was seven years old, and she’s just starting to come back to her best. She didn’t do much the last few years, for no reason other than we had other horses that we were focusing on,” he shared. “I jumped her here the other day with Ariel, and I said she hasn’t felt this good in a long time. Apparently, I was right because she felt amazing today.”
Coyle is looking forward to the upcoming international competitions at World Equestrian Center – Ocala, “Our plans might change a bit after today. I think Peaches will do some FEI classes here in the upcoming weeks. I will probably show her in a few speed divisions where she is best.”
Maya Denis (MEX) and her own Callypso De La Hamente Z, an eight-year-old Zangersheide gelding by Chellsini Z x Vesta De Greenbay, secured second place with a time just shy of the lead, in 35.363 seconds.
Bliss Heers (USA) had a stellar day, finding clear rounds on all three of her mounts, earning sixth, fifth and third place in the class. She found her fastest time for third place aboard Bridgeside Farms L.L.C.’s nine-year-old Selle Francais stallion Farinjo Des Mec (Carinjo x Traviata Mail) with a time of 37.450 seconds.
$15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix Results:
1 Amalia, Daniel Coyle, Ariel Grange: 0 | 0 | 35.269
2 Callypso De La Hamente Z, Maya Denis, Maya Denis: 0 | 0 | 35.363
3 Farinjo Des Mec, Bliss Heers, Bridgeside Farms L.L.C: 0 | 0 | 37.450
4 Alejandro FCF, Lizzy Traband, LL Show Jumpers, LLC: 0 | 0 | 37.687
5 Christian’s Cash, Bliss Heers, Bridgeside Farms L.L.C.: 0 | 0 | 38.187
6 Quality Star Z, Bliss Heers, Bridgeside Farms L.L.C.: 0 | 0 | 38.781
7 Lordy P, Seth Vallhonrat, Seth Vallhonrat: 0 | 0 | 40.781
8 Billy Skipper, Joey Roman, Joey Roman: 0 | 0 | 41.306
9 Lucy, Anthony Sauriol, Mi Casa Stable Holdings Inc.: 0 | 8 | 35.554
10 Bayra, Brooke Kemper, Bayra LLC: 0 | 8 | 35.923
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.
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