Ocala, FL – A picturesque, sunny Florida day set the scene for the $24,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. Kenny Krome (USA), an accomplished FEI Level III course designer, crafted the inviting courses for today’s competition, where Megan Wexler (USA) clinched victory aboard Amen Corner Farm, LLC’s Psalm (Quasimodo Z x Truuske).
A total of 11 horse-and-rider pairs navigated flawlessly through Krome’s first-round track, with only five managing to replicate their success in the jump-off for a double-clear effort.
Megan Wexler was the final contender to attempt the jump-off. She piloted the 15-year-old KWPN gelding Psalm, and had a solid plan in mind, “I planned all of the leave outs. His stride is so big and open, in a ring like this, I was able to just gallop. I was a bit nervous to the vertical-vertical combination because it was so tight. I thought leaving out to it could be a bit risky, but he tried so hard and cleared it. I just kept kicking the rest of the way and it was smooth sailing from there.”
Crossing the timers in a swift 34.780 seconds, Wexler secured the win. “It feels great to win today. It was a fast group of riders so I am very proud of him and I think his owners must be too,” shared Wexler. “I have to thank my staff. It really takes a team to get here and I wouldn’t be able to succeed without them.”
Reflecting on the experience of competing in the WEC Grand Arena, Wexler enthused, “The atmosphere is incredible, from walking down the ramp, to the hotel as a backdrop and the venue, it’s just incredible. The jumps are beautiful, and it really helps bring out the best in the horses. The night atmosphere is like going to a football game, it’s so much fun to have the crowd cheering you on.”
Securing second place was Charlie Jones (GBR) aboard Morning Star Sporthorses, LLC’s 13-year-old Holsteiner stallion, Capitale 6 (San Patrignano Cassini x Utopia XXII), clocking in at 35.155 seconds.
Vaclav Stanek (CZE) and Quintin, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Quaprice Bois Margot x Thamara, clinched third place with an impressive time of 35.689 seconds, rounding out the top three.
$24,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix Results:
1 Psalm, Megan Wexler, Amen Corner Farm, LLC: 0 | 0 | 34.780
2 Capitale 6, Charlie Jones, Morning Star Sporthorses, LLC: 0 | 0 | 35.155
3 Quintin, Vaclav Stanek, Ariel Grange: 0 | 0 | 35.689
4 Cooper 211, Adeline Rohrbach, Adeline Rohrbach: 0 | 0 | 38.066
5 Doki Du Loret, Kayla Benney, Dawn Willey: 0 | 0 | 44.638
6 Bull Run’s Jireh, Kristen Vanderveen, Bull Run Jumpers, Inc.: 0 | 4 | 34.042
7 Frasier, Samantha Schaefer, Bonne Vie LLC: 0 | 4 | 35.156
8 Marcus, Mikayla Sancho, Mikayla Sancho: 0 | 4 | 44.467
9 Charissa, Kama Godek, Kama Godek: 0 | 8 | 38.252
T10 Master Clinton DVE, Allen Nabors, Dutch Valley Sporthorses: 0 | WD
T10 James Bond HX, Samantha Schaefer, Bonne Chance LLC: 0 | WD
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.
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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