WATCH US GROW Gift
Cards
This week at WEC Calendar Icon
World Equestrian Center logo World Equestrian Center logo
  • Ocala
    • Order Feed & Bedding
    • Equestrian Events
      • Spectators
      • Shows
        • Summer Series
        • 2025 Dressage
        • November & December Show Series
        • Winter Spectacular
        • WEC Premier Cup
        • Orange Blossom Classic & A Sudden Impulse
      • Members and Exhibitors
        • Forms
        • Prize List
        • Membership Directory
        • Points Issue
        • Standings
        • Results
        • Horses
      • Volunteers
    • Live Stream
    • Conventions
      • Conventions Photo Gallery
    • Sporting Events
      • Canine Shows
      • Sports at WEC
    • Visit
      • Stay
      • Shop
      • Dine
      • Golf Cart Rental
      • Resort Spa
      • Things to do in Ocala, FL
    • Social Events
      • Catering Menus
      • Social Events Gallery
    • Real Estate
    • Facilities
      • Expo Centers
      • Arenas
      • Stabling
      • Veterinary Hospital
      • UF Health
      • Chapel
      • Request for Proposal Form – Ocala, Florida
    • Sponsors
      • Be a Sponsor
    • Vendors
    stay-with-us-lgBtn
  • Wilmington
    • Equestrian Events
      • Spectators
      • Shows
        • Winter in the Midwest
        • WEC Premier Cup
        • Spring & Summer Series
        • Fall Classic Series
        • Midwest Indoors
        • Standlee® Summer Schooling Show Series
      • Members and Exhibitors
        • Standings
        • Forms
        • Membership Directory
        • Results
    • Facilities
      • Stabling
      • Arenas
      • Host an Event
    • Visit
      • Dining
      • Shop
      • Dragonfly Academy
      • Chapel
    • Live Stream
    • Stay
      • Things to do in Wilmington, OH
    • Sponsors
      • Be a Sponsor
    • Vendors
      • Vendor Application
    HomenAway
  • Events
    • Stirrups Wine Series
    • Ocala Food & Wine Fest
    • Longines League of Nations™
    • Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala
    • Ocala Winter Wonderland
  • Contact
  • About
    • FAQ
      • Ocala
      • Wilmington
    • Careers
      • Ocala
      • Wilmington
  • News
  • Media
    • Media Accreditation Form
  • Worship
WATCH US GROW Gift Cards
This week at WEC Calendar Icon

WEC / News / Ocala, FL / Kelly-Baxley Makes Spectacular Grand Prix Debut on Grayton Beach at World Equestrian Center Dressage Show

Kelly-Baxley Makes Spectacular Grand Prix Debut on Grayton Beach at World Equestrian Center Dressage Show

24 Jan 23 | Shows

January 24, 2023 – Ocala, Fla. – The Dressage VIII and Dressage VIIII shows on January 19-22, 2023, at World Equestrian Center – Ocala ran classes from Training Level to FEI Grand Prix. The show is an official qualifying competition for the 2023 Great American/USDF Regional Championships and was sponsored by Hampton Green Farm and Discover Dressage. The shows were the first rated dressage shows of the year at WEC – Ocala, kicking off a full calendar of expanded dressage action planned for the world-class facility in 2023. 

One of those capitalizing on the opportunity to compete at the very top level was Jodie Kelly-Baxley. Riding her own Grayton Beach in his very first tests at the level, Kelly-Baxley racked up a pair of wins on the 12-year-old gelding, chalking up 71.739% on Friday and then a spectacular 75.761% the following day. 

Jodie Kelly-Baxley piloted her own Grayton Beach to two wins in their Grand Prix debut. Photo by Q2 Photography

“This was his first grand prix, and it was a really big milestone,” said Kelly-Baxley. “I was a little apprehensive about whether he was ready, but are we ever fully ready? On Friday I went in and was a little too careful as I was so worried about overfacing him. He only gets worried when he makes a mistake, so I didn’t want to ask too much. It was a little underpowered but he still got over 71%. I was a little nervous, and I’m not one to get nervous. 

“On Saturday I was more myself and ready to rock and roll — and it paid off,” added Kelly-Baxley, who is from Destin, Florida. “Grayton is a really big guy with very big movement and the one-time changes have been a real struggle just because he has such a big canter. He got all 15 of them — they weren’t pretty, but they will get better. That was a really big accomplishment for him.”

Kelly-Baxley and Grayton Beach notched scores of 71.739% and 75.761% over the two days of competition. Photo by Q2 Photography

Kelly-Baxley has owned the 17.3-hand gelding by Negro x UB40 since he was three after her Dutch trainer Toine Hoefs found him in Holland.

“He’d been looking for a horse for me and called me one day and said, ‘I’ve found your horse.’ He was three and I could barely steer him, but I brought him over straight away. He’s a really special guy and an amazing character, but needed help organizing his long legs. I’ve been careful and taken it really slow because of his size. It’s paid off. It was a super special and really fun weekend,” added Kelly-Baxley, who reports that the friendly gelding’s favorite treat is Nerds Gummy Clusters.  

Kelly-Baxley is wintering in Ocala to be close to both World Equestrian Center and her trainer, Anne Gribbons. Gribbons could not make it to the show but watched closely on the live stream and took notes on each movement, advising on how to boost the score from Friday’s performance to Saturday’s top score. Kelly-Baxley will stick to national shows for now with Grayton Beach, but her loftiest goals are to represent the United States on him one day. 

Nora Batchelder topped the Prix St. Georges class with Improv 40Z. Photo by Q2 Photography

In Saturday’s FEI Prix St. Georges class, Nora Batchelder scooped two of the top three places, claiming victory on Improv 40Z with 70%. Grayton Beach’s damsire, UB40 is the direct sire of Improv 40Z, who is out of a Rousseau dam and was bred in the U.S. by Sandi Lieb, who still owns him. Improv 40Z – another who is 17.3-hand horse – went on to net 72.059% at Intermediate I to finish second behind Tammy Feldmann on Free Tyme (73.235%).

Batchelder claimed another win at Prix St. Georges level – and her highest score of the show – when she rode Francis S3 to 73.824%. The eight-year-old mare by Franziskus is owned by Carol Glover. Batchelder’s final win came aboard another of Glover’s horses, the 17.1-hand Divo, by Washington. She piloted him to 68.085% in the FEI Test of Choice class, topping the leaderboard riding the FEI Grand Prix Special.

Florencia was responsible for one of 10 blue ribbons earned by Jennifer Marchand. Photo by Q2 Photography

Jennifer Marchand had an extremely full-on weekend, riding a staggering 21 tests over the four days of competition. Nota Bene lived up to her name, delivering two scores over 72% at Training Level. She is a five-year-old Dutch mare by Daily Diamond who is owned by Mary Ann Hall. Two of Marchand’s other horses, Florencia and Intrepid, each delivered further scores north of 70%. In total, she claimed 10 blue ribbons.  

Dana Cooke contested 22 classes at the show, winning three of them. Her top score –77.297% – came at Third Level thanks to Kingfisher Park Equestrian’s nine-year-old gelding Quatro. She was beaten in that class by Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp on Deniro Z (77.568%). Quatro, by Quaterstern, went on to win his three other tests at the level.  

Dressage competition at World Equestrian Center – Ocala continues with a USEF/USDF rated competition, presented by Hampton Green Farm and Discover Dressage, on February 22-26. For full horse show results for the World Equestrian Center Dressage VI, visit www.foxvillage.com. See full information, schedule and prize lists for dressage in 2023 at World Equestrian Center – Ocala here.

About World Equestrian Center

World Equestrian Center features two premier equestrian and multidisciplinary venues in Ocala, Florida, and Wilmington, Ohio. 

These exclusive facilities comprise state-of-the-art arenas, expansive stadiums, versatile outdoor space, sporting fields and well-appointed exposition centers. An abundance of lodging options and luxury accommodations are conveniently located on-site, along with shopping and dining throughout each property.

Dedicated to offering great sport and good fun in a family-friendly environment, World Equestrian Center promises an unparalleled experience for exhibitors, spectators, vendors, sponsors and retailers built on three core values: Quality. Class. Distinction.

Media Contact: 
Candace FitzGerald 
candace.fitzgerald@wec.net

Post navigation

Previous: World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Recognizes Returning Sponsor Tribute Equine Nutrition
Next: World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Winter Classic #6 Highlights

Recent Posts

  • Kelly Arani Shines in the $10,000 Shoo-fly USHJA National Hunter Derby at WEC – Wilmington Spring II
    |  Shows
    Read
  • David Blake Secures One-Two Finish in the $32,000 Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* at WEC – Wilmington Spring II  
    |  Shows
    Read
  • Kevin Gallagher & Echonix Stand Alone in the $20,000 Grand Prix of WEC – Wilmington Spring I
    |  Shows
    Read
  • Simonson and Indian Rock Impress in Grand Prix Special CDI3* at World Equestrian Center – Ocala
    |  Shows
    Read
  • Ebeling and Bellena Blossom with Freestyle Win in WEC May Dressage CDI3* at World Equestrian Center – Ocala
    |  Shows
    Read
  • Victoria Birdsall Wins First-Ever $65,000 Grand Prix CSI2* at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington 
    |  Shows
    Read
  • Simonson and Indian Rock, Ebeling and Bellena Ride To the Top of Grand Prix on First Day of WEC May Dressage CDI3*
    |  Shows
    Read
  • Melissa Donnelly & Corlando 49 Return to the Top in the $10,000 Kentucky Equine Research USHJA National Hunter Derby
    |  Shows
    Read
  • Kady Abrahamson & Kupardie Set the Pace in the $32,000 Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* at WEC – Wilmington Spring I
    |  Shows
    Read
  • Aqua Treadmill Therapy Provides a Wealth of Benefits for Horse Health
    |  Ocala, FL
    Read

Categories

  • Magazine Issues
  • Shows
  • Ocala Construction
  • Results
  • Uncategorized
  • Equestrian News
  • Ocala, FL
  • Wilmington, OH
  • Facilities
  • Sponsors
  • Equestrian
  • Featured
  • Conventions & Trade shows
  • Weddings
  • Sports
  • Canine
  • News Releases
  • Visit

Our Affiliates

ohio hunter jumper association
hunter jumper association of michigan
ushja
us equestrian
OPHA
TAKE2 second career thoroughbred program
wisconsin hunter jumper association

Join Our Mailing List

'
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
'

Ocala

  • Equestrian Events
  • Visit
  • Real Estate
  • Conventions and Tradeshows
  • Sporting Events
  • Canine Shows
  • Weddings
  • Facilities
  • Sponsors
  • Vendors

Wilmington

  • Equestrian Events
  • Stay
  • Facilities
  • Sponsors
  • Vendors
  • About

  • Events

  • Contact

  • News

  • Media

  • Worship

  • Careers

Follow Us

  • WEC
  • Ocala

Follow Us

  • WEC
  • Ocala
Contact Us
Ocala Equestrian Operations: 352.414.7900
Hotel Reservations: 866.478.9267
Wilmington Equestrian Operations: 937.382.0985
X
Privacy Policy| User Agreement| © 2025 World Equestrian Center, Wilmington OH & Ocala FL, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
  • Ocala
    • Order Feed & Bedding
    • Equestrian Events
      • Spectators
      • Shows
        • Summer Series
        • 2025 Dressage
        • November & December Show Series
        • Winter Spectacular
        • WEC Premier Cup
        • Orange Blossom Classic & A Sudden Impulse
      • Members and Exhibitors
        • Forms
        • Prize List
        • Membership Directory
        • Points Issue
        • Standings
        • Results
        • Horses
      • Volunteers
    • Live Stream
    • Conventions
      • Conventions Photo Gallery
    • Sporting Events
      • Canine Shows
      • Sports at WEC
    • Visit
      • Stay
      • Shop
      • Dine
      • Golf Cart Rental
      • Resort Spa
      • Things to do in Ocala, FL
    • Social Events
      • Catering Menus
      • Social Events Gallery
    • Real Estate
    • Facilities
      • Expo Centers
      • Arenas
      • Stabling
      • Veterinary Hospital
      • UF Health
      • Chapel
      • Request for Proposal Form – Ocala, Florida
    • Sponsors
      • Be a Sponsor
    • Vendors
  • Wilmington
    • Equestrian Events
      • Spectators
      • Shows
        • Winter in the Midwest
        • WEC Premier Cup
        • Spring & Summer Series
        • Fall Classic Series
        • Midwest Indoors
        • Standlee® Summer Schooling Show Series
      • Members and Exhibitors
        • Standings
        • Forms
        • Membership Directory
        • Results
    • Facilities
      • Stabling
      • Arenas
      • Host an Event
    • Visit
      • Dining
      • Shop
      • Dragonfly Academy
      • Chapel
    • Live Stream
    • Stay
      • Things to do in Wilmington, OH
    • Sponsors
      • Be a Sponsor
    • Vendors
      • Vendor Application
  • Events
    • Stirrups Wine Series
    • Ocala Food & Wine Fest
    • Longines League of Nations™
    • Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala
    • Ocala Winter Wonderland
  • Contact
  • About
    • FAQ
      • Ocala
      • Wilmington
    • Careers
      • Ocala
      • Wilmington
  • News
  • Media
    • Media Accreditation Form
  • Worship