Alise Oken and Lady Lex Dominate the $32,000 Budweiser Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* 

31 JAN 25 Ocala, FL

Alise Oken and Lady Lex soaring to first place in the $32,000 Budweiser Grand Prix CSI2*. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Ocala, FL – International competition kicked off early this morning in the WEC Grand Arena, with the spotlight on the $32,000 Budweiser Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2*. Thirty-two elite horse-and-rider combinations from 11 nations battled for top honors, but it was Alise Oken (USA), last to go, who stole the show aboard her brand-new partner, Lady Lex (Entertainer x Eldorado V/d Zeshoek), owned by Hi Hopes Farm, LLC.  

FEI Level IV course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) and FEI Level III course designer Peter Grant (CAN) crafted yet another challenging track, with 10 combinations navigating clear rounds to secure a spot in the jump-off.  

Carlos Hank Guerreiro (MEX) was the second to return and the first to post a clear jump-off, stopping the clock at 45.55 seconds aboard Kay’s Pleasure Hero Z. Oken returned first with her steadfast partner, Gelvera, shaving the time down to 44.04 seconds.  

Lucy Deslauriers and Starlet jumping to third place. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Lucy Deslauriers (USA) upped the ante with the nine-year-old Selle Français mare Starlet, owned by Luja LLC, taking the lead in 43.88 seconds. However, her time didn’t hold for long. 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist Christian Kukuk (GER) executed an impressive inside turn to the Alltech oxer aboard Beerbaum Stables GMBH’s eight-year-old Hanoverian mare Viki Van Gogh (Van Gogh x Now Or Never M), slicing crucial fractions off the clock to take the lead in 43.40 seconds.  

Christian Kukuk and Viki Van Gogh flying to second place in the WEC Grand Arena. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Several riders made attempts to unseat Kukuk, but none could match his time—until Oken returned for one final shot at victory. Competing in just her first 1.45m class with Lady Lex, Oken knew she had a special partner.  

“This was actually our first 1.45m together. I got her in September last year from Michael Greeve in Holland. As soon as I saw her, I instantly loved her. She’s so intelligent and careful—we clicked immediately.”  

Alise Oken and Lady Lex jumping in stellar form in the WEC Grand Arena. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

That connection was on full display as Oken and the nine-year-old KWPN mare delivered a blistering time of 40.74 seconds, securing the win.  

Oken credited the key inside turn for her success. “I didn’t even consider it with Gelvera, but then Christian did it, and I thought, ‘Well, okay, it’s there.’ I knew this mare—she’s so brave and game. She sighted right in on it and handled it beautifully. She’s naturally so quick; I just let the cat out of the bag, and she stayed with me. I am so happy with her.”  

Alise Oken and Lady Lex accepting their first place awards. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Looking ahead, Oken is eager for upcoming major events at WEC – Ocala. “I love it here. I’m based in Wellington, but I come whenever I can. The amount of money they’ve put into this facility and the FEI shows is incredible. I’ll do the World Cup™ with Gelvera, and I’m excited for the Longines League of Nations™ event here in a few weeks.”  

$32,000 Budweiser Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* Results 

1 LADY LEX: 2016 KWPN mare by Entertainer x Eldorado V/d Zeshoek 
Alise Oken (USA), Hi Hopes Farm, LLC: 0/0/40.74 

2 VIKI VAN GOGH: 2017 Hanoverian mare by Van Gogh x Now Or Never M 
Christian Kukuk (GER), Beerbaum Stables GMBH: 0/0/43.40 

3 STARLET: 2016 Selle Français mare by Vigo D Arsouilles Stx x Clintissimo Z 
Lucy Deslauriers (USA), Luja LLC: 0/0/43.88 

4 GELVERA: 2011 KWPN mare by Quality Time Tn x Numero Uno 
Alise Oken (USA), Hi Hopes Farm, LLC: 0/0/44.04 

5 H5 KAY’S PLEASURE HERO Z: 2016 Zangersheide mare by Kassander Van T Roosakker x For Pleasure   
Carlos Hank Guerreiro (MEX), H5 Sporthorses LLC: 0/0/45.55 

6 DIALEKTRO RW: 2015 Hanoverian gelding by Diacontinus x As Dl Villagana 
Michael Walton (USA), Mia Marano: 0/0/49.54 

7 BUGA Z: 2010 Zangersheide gelding by Chester Z x Quality Touch Z 
Samuel Parot (CHI), Samuel Parot: 0/4/43.07 

8 JASPER: 2014 KWPN gelding by Falaise De Muze x Gelha’s Vdl Emilion 
Vaclav Stanek (CZE), Ariel Grange: 0/4/44.67 

9 CALYPSO DES MATIS: 2012 Selle Français gelding by Padock Du Plessis Hn x Tresor De Cheux 
Eduardo Pereira De Menezes (BRA), Eduardo Pereira De Menezes: 0/4/47.93 

10 ESTER: 2014 Oldenburg mare by Comme Il Faut 5 x Caretino 2 
Tiffany Foster (CAN), 5 Roosters: 0/8/48.02 

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.
Videos available at ClipMyHorse.TV

Make sure to visit the WEC Blog and follow us on social media @worldequestriancenter for full coverage on all feature classes! Plan your stay at World Equestrian Center – Ocala.