Ocala, FL – Another picturesque morning at World Equestrian Center – Ocala set the stage for the $10,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix. Thirty-eight contestants competed for the lion’s share of the prize money over Alan Wade’s (IRL) intricate track. The course proved challenging for many as only nine went on to the jump-off, but it was no match for Dorothy Douglas and Davenport Farm’s MTM Pablo (Perigueux x Celina).
Douglas and the nine-year-old Warmblood gelding yielded an effortless first round in 65.414 seconds, well within the time allowed of 70 seconds.
“The course was challenging, but it suited Pablo really well. He has been very consistent and spot on. I think he will do the national grand prix in the next week or two,” said Douglas.
The pair advanced straight to the jump-off, “I did a right hand approach to fence one, so I could get down in six strides. I was quick back to the vertical and stayed to get six to the double because it was a short in-and-out. Then, I just tried to be quick and tidy to the rest.”
Douglas and the talented young gelding soared through the timers stopping the clock at 32.922 seconds for the win.
“I was pretty determined to win today. Yesterday, I ended up getting second place in both of the derbies, so today, I was chasing that blue ribbon. My parents just flew in yesterday, and they always seem to bring me luck, so I am happy that they were in the stands cheering me on this morning,” expressed Douglas.
Erynn Ballard (CAN) found success on two of her mounts, Oquido Van Het Eikehof and Jolo Van’t Veller claiming the second and third place position on the leaderboard. Ballard and Ilan Ferder’s eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, Oquido Van Het Eikehof (Der Senaat 111 x Irene Van Het Eikehof) set the pace early in the class with a seamless jump-off in 33.786 seconds, to eventually earn second place.
Jolo Van’t Veller (Floris x Zoe Lijn) slid into the third place position with Ballard toward the end of the order. Ballard and the eight-year-old KWPN mare owned by Ilan Ferder put forth a quick jump-off time, with a double clear effort in 33.950 seconds to round out the top three.
$10,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix Results:
1 MTM Pablo, Dorothy Douglas (USA), Davenport Farm: 0 | 0 | 32.922
2 Oquido Van Het Eikehof, Erynn Ballard (CAN), Ilan Ferder: 0 | 0 | 33.786
3 Jolo Van’t Veller, Erynn Ballard (CAN), Ilan Ferder: 0 | 0 | 33.950
4 Havanna C2, Taylor Kain (USA), The Gelt Group: 0 | 0 | 34.270
5 Flexi K, Kerry McCahill (USA), Kerry Anne LLC: 0 | 0 | 38.239
6 Cascaya L, Kris Killam (USA), Kris Killam: 0 | 4 | 34.096
7 Comedie De Talma, Alberto Michan (ISR), Esperanza Imports, LLC: 0 | 4 | 34.216
8 Calexio VDL, Richard Spooner (USA), Imagination Lane: 0 | 4 | 43.767
9 K-Carla, Tricia O’Connor (USA), Michael Kirby & Ricochet Group: 0 | 8 | 33.251
10 Catoki’s Son Z, Michael Murphy (USA), Esperanza Imports, LLC: 4 | 61.384
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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