Luis Sabino Goncalves and Scoop de Septon Z Capture $117,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix Qualifier CSI4*

09 JUL 26 Ocala, FL

A rider in a helmet and jacket jumps a brown horse over a blue and green obstacle in an outdoor equestrian arena.

Ocala, FL – Athletes representing 12 nations took to the WEC Grand Arena on Thursday morning to contest the $117,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix Qualifier CSI4*. After an exceptionally quick 14-horse jump-off, it was Portugal’s Luis Sabino Goncalves who raced to victory aboard Sigma Stables LLC’s Scoop de Septon Z (Hunters Scendro x Echo van ‘t Spieveld).

A rider and horse mid-jump over an obstacle during an equestrian event, with a scoreboard and audience seats visible in the background.
Luis Sabino Goncalves and Scoop de Septon Z jumped to victory. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

FEI Level IV course designer, Marina Azevedo (BRA), crafted the technical 1.50m track, which saw 15 of the 30 starters produce fault-free first rounds. One qualified combination elected not to return for the jump-off, leaving 14 riders to battle against the clock.

The pace was relentless from the start. Goncalves was the first to produce a clear jump-off aboard his first mount, Gallaxia de Ferval Z, stopping the clock in 42.57 seconds to establish the early benchmark.

A rider in white attire and a black helmet guides a gray horse over a colorful jump during an equestrian event, with a building in the background.
David Cameron and Chriszi secured second with a fault-free jump-off. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

That lead was short-lived as Australia’s David Cameron took over the top spot aboard Molly Adams’ 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding Chriszi (Christian 25 x Bockmann’s Lord Pezi), delivering a blistering round in 41.13 seconds.

A rider in formal attire guides a white horse over a black and orange jump during an equestrian event with a scoreboard in the background.
Tracy Fenney scored another podium finish riding MTM Myrbalia O to third. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Tracy Fenney (USA) came within fractions of a second aboard MTM Farm’s nine-year-old KWPN mare MTM Myrbalia O (Davenport VDL x Cardento 933), crossing the timers in 41.28 seconds to slot into second behind Cameron.

On his final ride, Goncalves returned aboard Scoop de Septon Z determined to reclaim the lead. “I thought I could be fast with Gallaxia, but I had to be a little careful,” Goncalves explained. “With ‘Scoop’, I don’t have to be so conservative; I just go. I don’t think too much. I didn’t do different numbers. I moved up more from the Liverpool to the oxer because I really went for it. After the white vertical, I just tried to move as fast as I could.” 

A rider in formal attire guides a chestnut horse over a white and orange show jumping obstacle in an outdoor arena with empty spectator seating.
Luis Sabino Goncalves and Scoop de Septon Z. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

The strategy paid off. Goncalves and Scoop de Septon Z blazed through the timers in a fault-free 39.73 seconds, a time that proved unbeatable. Cameron ultimately finished second, while Fenney rounded out the top three.

“[Richard Spooner and Tracy Fenney on MTM Pablo] were a little faster, but that’s the game,” Goncalves said. “They tried to catch me and took a little more of a risk and had a rail. I think it was a fantastic class.”

Equestrian rider on a horse, both wearing ribbons, poses with another person holding flowers in front of a jump with "MARS" branding at an outdoor event.
Luis Sabino Goncalves and Scoop de Septon Z stood for their first-place photo. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Having partnered with the 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding for the past three years, Goncalves credits their long-standing partnership for their continued success. “He knows me very well, and I know him very well,” he said. “If I don’t disturb him, he can do his job. He’s very smart. He’s careful and always wants to do his job.”

$117,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix Qualifier CSI4* 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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