Ocala, FL – Crowds gathered at the WEC Grand Arena for the week’s highlight event, the $75,000 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Grand Prix. Thirty-one elite combinations from 11 different nations showcased their talents over a technical track designed by FEI Level IV course designer Steve Stephens (USA). In an exciting eight-horse jump-off, Peter Petschenig (AUT) claimed victory aboard Ennebel Van Het Posthuijs (Numero Uno x Annebel), owned by Petschenig Showjumping, LLC.
Out of the eight jump-off contenders, only four combinations managed to jump double-clear. Sharn Wordley (NZL) piloted two of his mounts to the jump-off, with his clean and quickest round aboard Fernando Cardenas’ 15-year-old Warmblood gelding Valentine Car (Son Of Juan Car x Sofia Car), setting a pace of 38.541 seconds.
The next clear round came when Petschenig entered the arena on his second mount, Ennebel Van Het Posthuijs. “One, two, and three, I think I rode the best because I never had to take away from the canter. She was a little slow on the landing in the turn, and I thought I was going to be a little far off on the white vertical, but that ended up dragging me a bit more to the outside. I added a stride to the red one, it wasn’t the smartest thing to do. After that, it was really good again. I found the inside track to the oxer and I was able to keep coming through. I did seven to the last, and home she was.”
The speedy 15-year-old KWPN mare flew over the final fence and crossed the timers at 38.035 seconds, taking the lead from Wordley.
“I always ride the course the way she feels going in, if that makes any sense,” laughed Petschenig. “If she attacks the first jump, I just keep going. She just runs and goes.” Petschenig has been partnered with the talented mare for three years. “I don’t think you could wish for a better partner than ‘Ennebel’. I think she knows me inside out and I know her inside out. She’s uncomplicated and jumps one and a half classes a week. She’s as easy as you can get and jumps her heart out each time she steps in the ring.”
Last to go, and Thursday’s Welcome Prix winners, Will Simpson (USA) and Keminko N (Grand Slam VDL x Deminka N), aimed for another podium finish. Simpson and the careful nine-year-old KWPN gelding raced around the jump-off track but fell just short of the time, stopping the clock at 39.002 seconds to secure third place behind Wordley and Valentine Car.
Luis Pedro Biraben (ARG) and Vasco 109 received the fastest four-faulter award with a quick first-round time of 78.531 seconds with one rail down. Ronnie Riemer (GER) was honored with the ‘Luck of the Draw’ award.
Results: $75,000 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Grand Prix
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Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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