Ocala, FL – World Equestrian Center – Ocala welcomes back international athletes for the first four weeks of the 2023 Ocala Summer Series. Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) CSI3* Show Jumping horses were presented to the Ground Jury this afternoon for the FEI Jog presented by FarmVet. International exhibitors were welcomed with a lunch provided by FarmVet to kick off the first week of competition.
Spectators and exhibitors alike are encouraged to come out and support riders who are among the best equestrian athletes in the world as they compete in events from June 14 through July 9. The nine-week 2023 Ocala Summer Series will continue with nationally-rated competition through August 13. There is no charge for admission or parking.
World Equestrian Center – Ocala welcomed new athletes to the facility for international competition such as Nicky Galligan (IRL) and Kaitlin Campbell (USA). Both athletes have been to World Equestrian Center to spectate, but this will be both of their first times competing.
Nicky Galligan of Ireland shared his initial thoughts about the venue, “I have been here before, I was here to spectate during a few Saturday night grands prix over the winter and I was blown away,” shared Galligan. “I have to say actually arriving here with horses, taking them off the trailer after a long trip to such an incredible structure is just amazing. To have the nice big stalls, it’s has been great. I am so excited to be here for the FEI weeks. That is a huge draw for me personally that WEC has FEI weeks. It is something that I am really excited for.”
Galligan brought two top-level mounts to compete in the international competition, “This week I have this nine-year-old stallion that belongs to a friend of mine. His name is London’s De Muze and he is going to do the ranking classes this week. I have another horse here named VDL Nikita Van Du Leeuwerk and my intentions for her will be to do the Qualifier and the Grand Prix. It is a newer partnership, but I am really excited about this horse and to get her under the lights.”
Kaitlin Campbell of Temecula, California brought 13 horses to compete at both the national and international levels. “We are going to be here for three weeks, or possibly longer. We don’t have solid plans yet, but we brought half of our stable here to compete.”
“This is my first time showing here. I am super excited to get into the WEC Grand Arena, especially to compete under the lights,” expressed Campbell. “I am showing Armentos, my mare Palina De L’escaut and a new horse named Diacco-Blue. I will also have one in the National Grand Prix. Armentos will do the $150,000 Grand Prix FEI CSI3* Saturday night. He jumped a few CSI5* classes with me and he was in the top three in the CSI4* this year with me at Thermal. I know him the best at this level so I figured the first week under the lights he would be my best bet to walk in there.”
The daily FEI CSI3* schedule in the WEC Grand Arena can be found below. To view the CSI3* and 2023 Ocala Summer Series daily class schedule, class counts, estimated start times and results visit HorseShowing.com. Visit Ryegate.Live for live scoring.
Weekly FEI CSI3* Schedule:
June 13 – July 9 | WEC Grand Arena
Wednesday:
$6,000 1.40m Speed CSI3* | 8am Start
$40,000 1.45m Speed CSI3*
Thursday:
$50,000 UF Health Grand Prix Qualifier CSI3* | 7pm Start
Friday:
$40,000 Two Phase Special 1.45m CSI3* | 8am Start
Saturday:
$150,000 Grand Prix CSI3* | 7pm Start
Each week, the winner of the FEI CSI3* Grand Prix will receive an EquiFit Equine Passport Holder. EquiFit’s Equine Passport Holder keeps all your horse’s important documents safe & secure. Perfect for staying organized during the FEI Jog, the Equine Passport Holder can hold up to three passports in the main pocket plus three show numbers or other documents in the outside pocket.