Ocala, FL – Inaugural Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) competition at World Equestrian Center – Ocala began today with the $37,000 1.45m FEI CSI3* Speed. Aaron Vale (USA) and Thinkslikeahorse’s Cristo Beech edged out the competition to capture the win and the lead spot in the victory gallop.
Twenty-three entries took to the WEC Grand Arena to vie for the top prize over FEI Level IV course designer, Guilherme Jorge (BRA) winding track, where 15 pairs managed a clean round.
Vale was first on course with Condarco. “I thought I was pretty quick on Condarco, but by the time I went on Cristo Beech, I was down to third or fourth place, so I knew I had to be a bit more aggressive in my turns.”
Vale and the 11-year-old Warmblood gelding by Its The Business x Cantero cruised around the course in 59.85 seconds for the win.
Cristo Beech is a new mount for Vale, “I just started riding Cristo Beech this year, so we are still getting to know each other. This was a fantastic course for his confidence, it was nearly Grand Prix height and it allowed us to gallop. He was great with the turns and opened up his step really well,” expressed Vale.
Vale was excited to open FEI competition with a victory, “It is fantastic to have FEI competition here. The prize money is great and we gain world ranking points, which is very valuable. There were a lot of great competitors here today, so it was nice to get the win.”
Kristen Vanderveen (USA) had a clean effort in 60.32 seconds with Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili, a 17-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion by Berlin x Darco owned by Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC, for second place.
In third place was Luis Larrazabal (VEN), who stopped the clock in 61.07 seconds aboard his own 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse stallion, Sligo Balou Boy (Balou Du Rouet x Caletto I).
Final Results: $37,000 1.45m FEI CSI3* Speed
1 CRISTO BEECH: 2011 Warmblood gelding by Its The Business x Cantero
Aaron Vale (USA), Thinkslikeahorse: 0/59.85
2 BULL RUN’S FAUSTINO DE TILI: 2005 Belgian Warmblood stallion by Berlin x Darco
KRISTEN VANDERVEEN (USA), Bull Run Jumpers Five, LLC: 0/60.32
3 SLIGO BALOU BOY: 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Balou De Rouet x Caletto I
Luis Larrazabal (VEN), Luis Larrazabal: 0/61.07
4 BULL RUN’S PRINCE OF PEACE: 2009 Holsteiner gelding by Cardenio x Contender
Kristen Vanderveen (USA), Bull Run Jumpers Six, LLC: 0/61.96
5 FLEUR-DE-LIS’ CHERIE: 2012 Holsteiner mare by Clarimo x Lancer II
JAD DANA (LBN), Peter Howard & Laure Sudreau: 0/62.63
6 ALAN 111 Z: 2011 Zangersheide gelding by Arko III x Kannan
David Cameron (USA), Linda Huddy & Sally Watkins: 0/62.96
7 CONDARCO: 2008 Oldenburg gelding by Conthargos x Darko
Aaron Vale (USA), Thinkslikeahorse: 0/63.42
8 AMSTRONG DE MOYON: 2010 Selle Francais gelding by Rock’n Roll Semilly x Calypso De Moyon
Luis Sabino Goncalves (POR), Sigma Stables LLC: 0/64.91
9 BUGATTI: 2006 KWPN gelding by Heartbreaker x Pilot
Alberto Michan (ISR), Eduardo Leon: 0/65.01
10 COOPER B: 2013 Brandenburg gelding by Cellestial x Kolibri
Johan Kachelhoffer (RSA), Johan Kachelhoffer: 0/66.44
11 SHUTTERGOLD: 2010 Hanoverian mare by Silvio I x Forrest XX
Taylor Kain (USA, The Gelt Group: 0/67.71
12 CHAMPION LEAGUE: 2013 Hanoverian stallion by Cador 5 x Contendro I
Daniel Michan (MEX), Daniel Michan: 0/67.76
Alberto Michan & Nabal De Trivera Race to the Win in the $6,000 1.40m FEI CSI3* Speed
The first FEI CSI3* competition of the day brought 17 international partnerships to the WEC Grand Arena to contest the $6,000 1.40m FEI CSI3* Speed. Guilherme Jorge of Brazil created the opening tracks that allowed ten entries to go clear, but it was Israel’s Alberto Michan that sealed the victory aboard his own Nabal De Trivera.
Michan and the 12-year-old Warmblood gelding by Nabab De Reve turned in the quickest trip of the class in 63.64 seconds, more than three seconds faster than second place.
Michan enjoyed Guilherme Jorge’s opening track, “The course was very inviting and allowed the horses to get to know the arena. Many competitors used the class as training, but my horse felt good, so I went a little faster than the rest.”
“Today marks the beginning of history at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. I can see some of the biggest show jumping events in the world happening here. The venue is by far the greatest in the country, in my opinion. Everyone is extremely friendly, and the facility is breathtaking. The horses love the stalls, and the facility is so pristine and clean, it’s wonderful,” Michan stated.
In second place was Kady Abrahamson (USA), who flew through the timers in 67.19 seconds aboard Any, a 14-year-old Holsteiner mare by Aliano x Acatraz.
Hunter Holloway and Biloba Des Chaines, an 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Winningmood x If De Merze owned Sigma Stables LLC, had a clean jump-off effort in 68.61 seconds for a third place finish.
Final Results: $6,000 1.40m FEI CSI3* Speed
1 NABAL DE TRIVERA: 2010 Warmblood gelding by Nabab De Reve
Alberto Michan (ISR), Alberto Michan: 0/63.64
2 ANY: 2008 Holsteiner mare by Aliano x Alcatraz
Kady Abrahamson (USA), Abrahamson Equestrian LLC: 0/67.19
3 BILOBA DES CHAINES: 2011 Selle Francais gelding by Winningmood x If De Merze
Hunter Holloway (USA), Sigma Stables LLC: 0/68.61
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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