Ocala, FL – The 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series entered its second week of international competition. The $5,000 1.45m Speed CSI3* was the second class of the day and it welcomed a field of top-notch horse-and-rider combinations to race for the top prize over tracks built by Peter Grant (CAN). Ultimately, it was Mark Bluman (COL) who navigated his way to the top of the leaderboard aboard Over The Top Stables LLC’s Noortje Vd Windheuvel (Farfelu De Muze x Kannan).
Taking on the course as the fifth pair in the order, Bluman executed a straightforward strategy for the 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare. “I wanted to ride the course and stick to my plan. We practice a lot of tight turns at home, so I wanted to be tidy, efficient and as fast as possible everywhere else.”
Clocking in at an impressive 63.15 seconds, Bluman and Noortje Vd Windheuvel secured an unbeatable position at the top of the leaderboard.
This marks Bluman’s second visit to World Equestrian Center – Ocala and he expressed his admiration for the venue, “I actually was here when they first opened, and I think I won the second ever grand prix in this arena, so it’s nice to be back. I love it here. I am very lucky to be surrounded by great people and one of my bosses got me a room at [The Equestrian Hotel]. I woke up this morning and watched the 1.40m Speed from my window. Then when it was time, I came down and hopped on.”
Aaron Vale (USA) had a successful day earning second, third and fourth. Vale found his fastest time aboard Thinkslikeahorse’s 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding Prescott, in 64.79 seconds for second place. Riding the 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding Obi Wan, Vale claimed the yellow ribbon with a time of 68.21 seconds. Additionally, piloting Donald Stewart’s Styles, Vale secured fourth place with a time of 70.60 seconds.
$5,000 1.45m Speed CSI3* Top Three Results:
1 NOORTJE VD WINDHEUVEL: 2013 Belgian Warmblood mare by Farfelu De Muze x Kannan
Mark Bluman (COL), Over The Top Stables LLC: 0/63.15
2 PRESCOTT: 2012 Holsteiner gelding by Lordanos x Bb Carvallo
Aaron Vale (USA), Thinkslikeahorse: 0/64.79
3: OBI WAN: 2012 Oldenburg gelding by Centadel x Continue
Aaron Vale (USA), Thinkslikeahorse: 0/68.21
Grace Long and Happiness Vd Hazel Hof Opened the Day With A Win in 1.40m Speed CSI3*
This morning, the 1.40m Speed CSI3* kicked off the action in WEC Grand Arena at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. Peter Grant, an FEI Level III course designer, crafted a speed track that allowed an even 10 horse-and-rider combinations to deliver a fault-free effort. Grace Long (AUS) and her trusted partner Happiness Vd Hazel Hof stole the show, outpacing the competition by three seconds.
Long capitalized on her 12-year-old KWPN mare’s speed, “She’s naturally fast. She was a little fresh this morning with the cool weather, so I think that added an extra boost,” laughed Long.
The pair dashed around the track taking tidy turns, and making up time where they could to stop the clock at an uncatchable 61.91 seconds.
Long spoke about her speedy and careful mare, “I’ve had her since the start of her seven-year-old year, so I’ve known her for quite a while now. She’s always been spicy and opinionated, but she’s a wonderful horse and always tries her heart out for you in the ring.”
World Equestrian Center – Ocala has been Long’s winter destination since its opening in 2021, “We love World Equestrian Center – Ocala. We are here all winter long, and we’ve been here ever since it started. We have a big group of national horses, and all of our customers love it. It’s such a wonderful place to show, and we are so lucky to be able to come here.”
Rebecca Conway (USA) claimed second place aboard Blue Hill Farm, LLC’s 13-year-old Mecklenburg gelding, Con Coleur, in 64.69 seconds.
Michael Walton (USA) secured third place riding Blues, an 11-year-old Westphalian gelding owned by Mia Marano, with a swift time of 66.01 seconds.
1.40m Speed CSI3* Top Three Results:
1 HAPPINESS VD HAZEL HOF: 2012 KWPN mare by Falaise De Muze
Grace Long (AUS), G&T Equestrian: 0/61.91
2 CON COLEUR: 2011 Mecklenburg gelding by Conthargos x Couleur Rubin
Rebecca Conway (USA), Blue Hill Farm, LLC: 0/64.69
3 BLUES: 2013 Westphalian gelding by Untouched x Chacco-blue
Michael Walton (USA), Mia Marano: 0/66.01
Visit HorseShowing.com for final results.
Spectators are welcome! From now until March 24, 2024, experience the thrill of the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results on HorseShowing.com. For real-time scoring, check out Ryegate.Live.
A limited number of weekly stalls remain for the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series, book your stall today!
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
Videos available at ClipMyHorse.TV
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Plan your stay at World Equestrian Center – Ocala.