Ocala, FL – International competition continued early this morning in the WEC Grand Arena with the $40,000 1.45m Two Phase Special CSI3*. Peter Grant (CAN) crafted the two-part track for 19 top-level horse-and-rider combinations, but it was Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen (USA) and Serenity Farm’s Forever SFN (Azteca VDL x Non Stop) that galloped away with the first-place ribbon.
Forever SFN has a niche for speed and Cruciotti Vanderveen leveraged the 13-year-old KWPN gelding’s natural abilities during the second phase of the track, “The Two Phase really suits my horse because he’s naturally quick across the ground. In the beginning I was able to keep him together and a bit slow. I knew after I walked the course it would play well with his strengths; he’s great off the right lead, so the right turn back to the four stride, I was able to take a risk and I think I shaved off a few seconds.”
Cruciotti Vanderveen and Forever SFN made light work of the first phase and kicked into high gear for the speed, taking tidy turns while leaving out strides to stop the clock in a mere 39.87 seconds ultimately securing the top spot on the leaderboard.
“He’s a speed specialist. I have had him for a year and a half, and I am so fortunate to have him in the barn. Just this year he’s done eight or nine classes like this and he’s been top five in almost every one of them. He’s a machine. I just try to stay out of his way and let him do his thing,” shared Cruciotti Vanderveen about the skilled gelding.
Natalie Dean (USA) piloted Marigold Sporthorses, LLC’s Dotcom D’authuit (Diamant De Semilly x Quidam De Revel) to a slick track early in the order in 40.49 seconds, which landed the pair the red ribbon.
Gonzalo Busca (ESP) rounded out the top three aboard his own Cristiano Obolensky (Cornet Obolensky x Stakkato). Busca and the eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding found each fence out of stride to post a time of 43.86 seconds.
Final Results: $40,000 1.45m Two Phase Special CSI3*
1 FOREVER SFN: 2010 KWPN gelding by Azteca VDL x Non Stop
Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen (USA), Serenity Farm: 0/0/39.87
2 DOTCOM D’AUTHUIT: 2013 Selle Francais mare by Diamant De Semilly x Quidam De Revel
Natalie Dean (USA), Marigold Sporthorses, LLC: 0/0/40.49
3 CRISTIANO OBOLENSKY: 2015 Hanoverian gelding by Cornet Obolensky x Stakkato
Gonzalo Busca (ESP), Gonzalo Busca: 0/0/43.86
4 CADANS VAN DE IJZERVALLEI: 2015 Zangersheide gelding by Clarimo Ask x Kashmir Van’t Schuttershof
Gonzalo Busca (ESP), Gonzalo Busca: 0/0/46.35
5 LANGOBARDO BF: 2012 Holsteiner gelding by Lyjanero x Cayado
Sophia Ahearn (USA), Esperanza Imports, LLC: 0/0/47.56
6 PATIENCE VAN DEN DRIES: 2015 Belgian Warmblood mare by Thunder Van De Zuuthoeve x Darco
Victoria Ketchum (USA), Copperline Farm LLC: 0/0/51.72
7 LIEMBA: 2014 Hanoverian mare by Gem of India x Valentino
Hunter Holloway (USA), Hays Investment Corp: 0/0/48.42
8 OASIS VAN DE BUCXTALE: 2014 Belgian Warmblood mare by Quinn VD Heffinck x Skippy II
Natalie Dean (USA), Marigold Sporthorses, LLC: 0/4/41.51
9 COLLIN: 2007 KWPN gelding by Colandro x Amethist
Luiz Francisco de Azevedo (BRA), Santa Cecelia Stables LLC: 0/4/42.06
10 IBALIUS SMH: 2013 KWPN gelding by Everglade VDL x Burggraaf NV
Tom Foley (IRL), Sher Al Farm: 0/4/42.24
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
Videos available at ClipMyHorse.TV
For final results visit HorseShowing.com or Ryegate.Live