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 / Marek and Firefly Light Up the Grand Prix Special at World Equestrian Center April Dressage CDI3*

Marek and Firefly Light Up the Grand Prix Special at World Equestrian Center April Dressage CDI3*

16 Apr 23 | Shows
Another personal best propelled Anna Marek and Firefly to victory in the Grand Prix Special CDI3*. Photo by Q2 Photography.

April 15, 2023 – Ocala, Fla. – Competition continued on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at the World Equestrian Center April Dressage CDI3* with classes of all levels for international and national riders. Held at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC), the show sponsored by Hampton Green Farm and Discover Dressageconcludes on Sunday, April 16. Anna Marek (USA) and Firefly, owned by Janet Simile, led the lap of honor once again on Saturday, this time in the Grand Prix Special CDI3*.

Marek and Firefly, a 12-year-old KWPN gelding by Briar Junior x OO Seven, improved on their performance once again by scoring a personal best of 74.468%. Marek felt that Firefly’s strength in the passage is what helped them earn that score. The judges – Sandra Hotz (USA), Sandra Andrea Smith (ARG), Cesar Torrente (COL), Kerrie Swan-Bates (AUS) and Cara Whitham (CAN) – agreed, giving scores of eight on many of the passage movements.

While Marek had been focusing on the Grand Prix Freestyle this winter for FEI World Cup™ scores, her move to the Special for this CDI highlights “some of the things he does very well,” she said. “We have been working on the tempo, rhythm and being able to have that expression and energy. With that they can take a misstep or lose their balance, but he did it the same the entire time. It was an awesome feeling. I just have to give him a little reminder about something or tell him I want something a little better, and he tries so hard.

Judge at C Cesar Torrente and Jennifer Glass of World Equestrian Center joined Anna Marek and Firefly in the presentation. Photo by Q2 Photography.

“What was crazy is that we made a couple of mistakes today,” she continued. “They were mistakes that we haven’t made before, so to get that score was incredible.”

Marek plans to return to WEC for the World Equestrian Center May Dressage CDI3*.

Showing off their strong passage in the lap of honor were Anna Marek and Firefly. Photo by Q2 Photography.

Katie Duerrhammer (USA) and Paxton, a 12-year-old Westphalian gelding by Dante Weltino OLD x Don Marco 3 owned by Kylee Lourie, stepped up into second place after a third-place finish on Friday. Duerrhammer works with U.S. Olympic silver medalist Adrienne Lyle, and between them they brought students and nine horses to this week’s show. 

Paxton’s score of 73.213% was near a personal best, and Duerrhammer felt that the hot Florida weather may have helped in Saturday’s test.

“I think the warm weather helped because we always have too much energy, so if it’s a little hot that usually works out in my benefit,” explained Duerrhammer. “It’s been a busy week. So, I felt the heat today, but it benefitted him.”

Katie Duerrhammer and Paxton finished second in the Grand Prix Special CDI3*. Photo by Q2 Photography.

This is only Paxton’s second year competing at the grand prix level, and Duerrhammer is still figuring out what system works best for the sensitive gelding.

“For some reason he finds this stadium extremely exciting,” she said. “It was a great learning experience. We started at the beginning of the week with way too much energy and not enough relaxation. We tailored his program over the weekend and to end today close to our personal best is very exciting.”

Third place went to Ashley Holzer (USA) and Hansel, a 10-year-old KWPN gelding by Blue Hors Don Olymbrio x Metall owned by P.J. Rizvi, with a score of 72.638%.

Ashley Holzer and Bliss rose to the top of the Intermediate A CDI2*. Photo by Q2 Photography.

Holzer also came out on top in the Intermediate A CDI2* with Bliss, an 11-year-old Oldenburg mare by Bordeaux 28 x Likoto xx that she owns. Holzer, along with second and third place, all scored personal bests, with Bliss receiving 72.843%. Denielle Gallagher (CAN) and Come Back de Massa, an 11-year-old Pure Race Lusitanienne gelding by Galopin de la Font x Quixote SDS owned by Gallagher and Ellen Lazarus, were second with 69.020%. Jennifer Williams (USA) rode Quantaris, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Quarterline x Sir Donnerhall owned by Oded Shimoni, to third place and 68.833%.

Grand Prix Special CDI3* Results

Intermediate A CDI2* Results

Full Show Results and Ride Times

The World Equestrian Center April Dressage CDI3* concludes on Sunday, April 16. Highlight classes include the Intermediate II CDI2* at 8:45 a.m. and the Intermediate I Freestyle CDI1* at 10:20 a.m. For more information, visit www.wec.net.

Post navigation

Previous: Mendoza Loor Goes Two for Two, Marek Earns Special Birthday Victory at World Equestrian Center April Dressage CDI3*
Next: Kady Abrahamson Dominates the Dandy Products $30,000 Grand Prix at WEC Ohio Winter Classic 18

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

  • Ocala Construction
  • Magazine Issues
  • Shows
  • Results
  • Uncategorized
  • Ocala, FL
  • Equestrian News
  • 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