Jad Dana & Leonidas Capture $32,000 Juniper Landscaping Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* Victory

Ocala, FL – A foggy Florida morning set the stage for Friday’s featured Jumping event, the $32,000 Juniper Landscaping Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2*. Thirty-two horse-and-rider combinations came forward to contest the class, but in the end, it was Jad Dana (LBN) who proved unbeatable aboard Burr Associates, Inc.’s Leonidas.

Course designer Pieter Vitse (BEL) built the delicate two-star track with a tight time allowed that kept riders on their toes. Nine combinations produced clear rounds to advance to the jump-off.

Nicholas Dello Joio (USA) was first to return, guiding Meralex Farm, Inc.’s nine-year-old Zangersheide gelding Elvis de L’othain Z (Elvis Ter Putte x Quidam de Revel) to a sharp round in 38.44 seconds, setting the early standard.

Fresh off a second-place finish in Thursday’s $117,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix Qualifier CSI4*, Dana entered the ring with his two-star mount Leonidas, determined to go one better. The pair, who earned a National Grand Prix victory together in December, executed a clear plan in the short course.

“I watched Nicolas before me, but it didn’t help my round because he has a very different style of horse. It was a much smaller, quicker-moving horse, so he did more strides than I did,” Dana shared. “I planned to do the leave-outs in the first two lines and stick with that, and it paid off.”

Dana and the 10-year-old KWPN gelding by Kannan flew through the timers in 37.49 seconds, taking over the lead and ultimately securing the win.

“He’s one that I have been very excited about,” Dana said of Leonidas. “He’s been doing the two-stars, and he’s really been knocking on the door. He’s been super competitive. He’s really trying hard to win, and he finally got the victory today.”

Looking ahead, Dana plans to let the gelding continue developing at his own pace. “If he keeps getting better and feeling confident, for sure we’ll keep moving up. But I want him to stay where he’s comfortable and where he enjoys it for now, then we’ll go from there.”

Dana’s horses will enjoy a lighter schedule over the next two weeks, with a possible return during Longines League of Nations™ Ocala week to contest five-star competition. “I came here with a big group of horses and showed a lot this week, so they’ll get some time off and light days at home. Provided everything goes well and the horses feel good, we’ll try to do the five-star during League of Nations week. Yesterday the four-star qualifier was very good, so as long as the horses feel good and want to keep doing it, then I have to ride, of course,” he laughed.

Belgium’s Zoe Conter finished just behind the leader aboard Stephex Stables’ 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding Loui LN (Kannan x Cartani), producing a fast and clear effort in 38.33 seconds to secure second place, while Dello Joio ultimately rounded out the podium in third.

$32,000 Juniper Landscaping Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* Results

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

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This event is made possible through the support of our generous sponsors and marketing partners, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau.