Ocala, FL – Five-star week continued during the Winter Spectacular Show Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) on Friday, February 14, 2025. International riders returned to the ring to contest the $62,500 1.50m Winning Round CSI5*-W, but it was 25-year-old Nina Mallevaey (FRA) and My Clementine, owned by Rein Family LLC and Tara Dow-Rein, who showed their speed prowess once again and won their second class of the week. The highlight class of the week, the $300,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala, is on Saturday, February 15, at 7pm.
There were 31 horse-and-rider combinations in Friday’s class. In the Winning Round format, the top 10 moved on to the second round regardless of faults. There were five clears in the first round, with the course designed by Bernardo Costa Cabral of Portugal. Joining those with a clear round were two more with one time fault and three with three time faults.
Returning for a shortened second course determined by time and on a clear slate, Wednesday’s speed winners Mallevaey and My Clementine put the pedal to the metal for a time of 36.16 seconds to take their second victory of the week.
Mallevaey’s first round didn’t go according to plan, as she had three time faults and made it into the second round in ninth place. “I think I should have watched the time a little more, but she was great,” she said. “I was trying to steady her a bit because I went fast in the class on Wednesday so I wanted her to have a slower class. I was a little bit stressed about my time faults because I really wanted to be in the top 10. At the end it worked well for me, but I should be more awake about that.”
Returning for the jump-off, Mallevaey knew that although she went early, the odds were on her side. “Clementine is really fast and careful, and she really loves to go fast. Any time I go in the jump-off with her I really know that I have a chance, so that’s a great feeling,” she explained. “She did everything I asked her to do – she was just amazing. I went a little bit fast on the double in the jump-off and she reacted so well, so I’m really happy with her.”
The Rein family found My Clementine, a now-10-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare by O.B.O.S. Quality x Kashmir van Schuttershof, three years ago in Ireland, and Mallevaey started riding her less than a year ago. Clementine is a “total princess” who loves her carrots and treats, but Mallevaey also noted she has an amazing character and is “super sweet.”
“Clementine is a great horse, and I feel really lucky to have her,” expressed Mallevaey. “It’s amazing to win two classes here. To have a win anywhere is amazing — especially in a five-star — it’s something really special. I really enjoy it. I hope I’m still going to have a good class tomorrow, and why not place one more time?”
Laura Kraut (USA) and Lady D, a nine-year-old KWPN mare (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Indoctro) owned by Cherry Knoll Farm, Inc., were clear in 36.71 seconds for second place.
Slotting into third place was Tom Wachman (IRL) on Obora’s Laura, a 10-year-old ESH mare by Luidam x Non Stop owned by Coolmore Showjumping who were clear in 37.39 seconds. Eve Jobs (USA) and Canto Bruno, her own 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Cantoblanco x Quality), were the only other clear round in 38.96 seconds for fourth place.
Competition at WEC – Ocala this week continues on Saturday, February 15, with the $62,500 1.50m Speed CSI5*-W at 1pm, and the highlight class of the week, the $300,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala, will start at 7pm on Saturday. General admission tickets for Saturday night are still available – click HERE to purchase.