Ocala, FL – Feature class action during the penultimate week of the 2025 Summer Series kicked off early Thursday morning with the $32,000 GGT Footing Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* in the WEC Grand Arena. Thirty-one top horse-and-rider combinations representing 15 different nations competed for top honors, but it was Olympian Lauren Hough (USA) who emerged victorious aboard her own Clarisall Junior, finishing nearly two seconds ahead of the runner-up.
FEI Level III course designer Catsy Cruz (USA) laid the winding tracks for the competitive field, and horses were jumping in top form. Fourteen combinations advanced to the jump-off, where eight managed to produce another clear effort.
The lead changed hands several times in the short course, but it was second-to-last to go—Lauren Hough—who laid it all on the line with her up-and-coming partner, Clarisall Junior. “Honestly, it was a little bit of a blip out here in the schooling area. He lost a shoe and we had to wait for the blacksmith to tack it back on,” she explained. “It wasn’t a normal warm-up for him. Once we got the shoe on, I jumped two jumps and went in the ring. I had a really good feeling from him today, but this is the first day I really pushed the envelope, and he responded beautifully.”
Hough used the scopey nine-year-old AES gelding’s big stride to her advantage, noting, “His stride is huge, so he really made my job very easy. There was only one related line; it was nine to the double, then long runs everywhere else. I just picked up a good rhythm and took the first distance I saw.”
The pair stopped the clock in 39.75 seconds to secure the win and top honors.
Hough spoke highly of the promising young horse. “We purchased him at the end of last year. I bought him together with a very good friend of mine, Margeaux Conners, and I’ve just taken my time with him,” she said. World Equestrian Center – Ocala has provided a great environment for his development, according to Hough. “This is our fifth show here this summer. I started him in the national grands prix, and he’s been super, super consistent. He was second in last week’s qualifier and was double clear and fifth in last Saturday’s grand prix. He has been incredible.”
She also praised the venue’s amenities, especially during the height of summer. “I am so impressed. A few of us were just talking; it’s so hot all over the Northeast right now, and this is really the best place you can be because you can get out of the heat with your horses. They don’t miss anything here. It’s as good a facility as you can get.”
Second place went to last week’s Grand Prix Qualifier winner, Sharn Wordley (NZL), this time riding Della Wordley’s 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding Brin D’or De Haute Melen Z (Bamako De Muze x Baloubet Du Rouet), who finished with a quick, clear time of 41.78 seconds.
Juan Bancalari (DOM) and Blythe Karolyi (USA) tied for third. Banclari rode a 10-year-old Selle Francais mare Fraxinus Des Coeuries (Salto De L’isle x Carthago), while Karolyi piloted a 14-year-old Zangersheide gelding Theo Duc T&L Z (Toulon x Nabab De Rêve). Both riders crossed the timers in 42.38 seconds to round out the podium.
$32,000 GGT Footing Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* Results
Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results on HorseShowing.com. For real-time scoring, check out Ryegate.Live.
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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