Ocala, FL – Week VII of the 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series is underway with more thrilling hunter/jumper action. The $24,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix was the highlight event of the afternoon as 23 top-level athletes put forth their best effort over an intricate track built by world-renowned course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN). Luis Sabino Goncalves (POR) secured the win after he laid down an impressive jump-off aboard Sigma Stables LLC’s Vick Du Croisy (Lord Carthago x Merveille Ducroisy).
FEI Level IV course designer Palacios added a few new elements for today’s tracks, including a skinny wall of his own design that appeared in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Though the skinny wall caught quite a few entries out in the first round, seven managed to qualify for the short course.
“It was a nice first round. It was Leopoldo Palacios’ style. He is a very recognized designer that likes to add some elaborate and unconventional jumps that surprise some of the horses. However Vick Du Croisy didn’t bat an eye at today’s jumps and the track rode beautifully for her,” said Goncalves.
Anthony Sauriol (CAN) and Mi Casa Stables Inc.’s Rozsa were the first pair to return for the jump-off. The pair produced an efficient round, but had an unfortunate pair of rails along the way.
Lisa Goldman-Smolen (USA) and Barbara Disko’s Sovereign were next, but had one unlucky rail down at the final fence in 40.354 seconds.
William Simpson (USA) and Two Socks Farm LLC’s Quentin VA were the first pair to produce a clean round in 41.911 seconds to set the pace for the remainder of the jump-off contenders.
Kyle Dewar (CAN) followed aboard his own Kastar Hof Ten Zoetendaele (Der Senaat 111 x Wanda VD Roshoeve). Dewar and the 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding flew through the track stopping the clock at an even faster 41.202 seconds.
Adam Sklansky (USA) and Ellen Walker’s Hakini gave a good effort in 44.443 seconds with one rail down.
Luis Sabino Goncalves (POR) and Vick Du Croisy entered the arena next with the hopes of securing the lead. “It was a perfect jump-off for me. Everyone did a similar track, but my horse is naturally fast, so I had that as an advantage. I also took a risk to the double combination, everyone was riding a bit more traditional, but I decided to leave out and find the combination forward. My mare did well and jumped out nicely.”
Goncalves and the 14-year-old Selle Francais mare flew over the C. Jarvis Insurance oxer to stop the clock at 38.545 seconds and take the lead.
Tracy Fenney (USA) was the final competitor aboard her 12-year-old Danish Warmblood mare MTM Apple (Favorit Ask x Kong’s Whopsie). The pair came close, stopping the clock at 39.483 seconds to land in second place.
$24,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix Results:
1 Vick Du Croisy, Luis Sabino Goncalves (POR), Sigma Stables LLC: 0 | 0 | 38.545
2 MTM Apple, Tracy Fenney (USA), MTM Farm: 0 | 0 | 39.483
3 Kastar Hof Ten Zoetendaele, Kyle Dewar (CAN), Kyle Dewar: 0 | 0 | 41.202
4 Quentin VA, William Simpson (USA), Two Socks Farm LLC: 0 | 0 | 41.911
5 Sovereign, Lisa Goldman-Smolen (USA), Barbara Disko: 0 | 4 | 40.354
6 Hakini, Adam Sklansky (USA), Ellen Walker: 0 | 4 | 44.443
7 Rozsa, Anthony Sauriol (CAN), Mi Casa Stables Inc.: 0 | 8 | 42.540
8 Nono VD Withoeve, Santiago Lambre (BRA), All In Horses & Jan De Waard: 1 | 80.504
9 Mykonos SCF, Annie Bolling (USA), Annie Bolling: 4 | 72.267
10 Margriet De Mariposa, Sarah Jeanne Scheiring (USA), Bellwyn Farm LLC: 4 | 74.698
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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