Ocala, FL – The final week of the Fédération Equestre International (FEI) CSI3* competition commenced today with a skilled field of horse-and-rider pairs vying for victory in the $5,000 1.45m Speed CSI3*. Catsy Cruz (MEX) crafted the speed course, where Simon McCarthy (IRL) piloted Rock Ridge Farms’ Gotcha (Stakkato x Cassini I) to the swiftest round.
McCarthy, aboard his trusted partner Gotcha, executed a speedy performance, crossing the timers at 58.61 seconds to claim the top spot. Reflecting on the course set by Catsy Cruz, McCarthy expressed his admiration, “Catsy Cruz is one of my favorite course designers. I won my first international grand prix when she was designing, so she has a soft place in my heart. She’s brilliant, everything flowed really nice, and this ring is unbelievable.”
The 13-year-old Holsteiner mare is a special horse to McCarthy, “I’ve had Gotcha for three years now. She’s unbelievable. She’s a prolific winner all around the states. She’s been unreal for me. She’s won a lot of my first ranking classes and grands prix. We’ve jumped five-stars, so I feel like I am cheating a little bit, winning this class on her, but a win is a win,” laughed McCarthy. “However, she’s just coming back, this is her second week competing this year. She jumped the two-star in Wellington and won the grand prix qualifier there. It’s nice to get a blue ribbon from a place we’ve never been before.”
“I was stunned when I drove up here this morning. I still haven’t had the time to take it all in to be honest. I tried exploring this morning, but after a half and hour, I only got to see a tenth of it,” chuckled McCarthy. “We are definitely going to check it out and we are staying in [The Equestrian Hotel] tonight, so I am pretty excited about that too.”
Week VII’s 1.45m Speed CSI3* winner, Adam Sklansky (USA), secured second place riding Ellen Walker’s speedy Hakini, a 12-year-old KWPN mare by Numero Uno x Montreal, with a swift round in 59.04 seconds.
Aaron Vale (USA) continued his podium streak, this time riding Donald Stewart’s Styles (Cornet Obolensky x Canturo). Vale guided the promising eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding to an efficient round in 62.43 seconds.
$5,000 1.45m Speed CSI3* Results:
1 GOTCHA: 2011 Holsteiner mare by Stakkato x Cassini I
Simon McCarthy (IRL), Rock Ridge Farms: 0/58.61
2 HAKINI: 2012 KWPN mare by Numero Uno x Montreal
Adam Sklansky (USA), Ellen Walker: 0/59.04
3 STYLES: 2016 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Cornet Obolensky x Canturo
Aaron Vale (USA), Donald Stewart: 0/62.43
Kama Godek and Lady Stakkata Land the 1.40m Speed CSI3* Victory
The day kicked off with the 1.40m Speed CSI3*, where a field of top-notch competitors vied for victory over Catsy Cruz’s (MEX) opening speed course. Ultimately, it was Kama Godek (USA) who secured the top position aboard her own mount, Lady Stakkata (Stakkato x Levisto).
Godek guided the nine-year-old Holsteiner mare to a swift round, crossing the timers at 65.15 seconds for the win. Reflecting on their partnership, Godek remarked, “I’ve had her for a year and half. I’ve actually never asked her to go fast, she’s just naturally quick. She’s uncomplicated and every question I’ve ever asked of her, she’s always answered yes.”
Sharing her thoughts on competing at World Equestrian Center – Ocala, Godek expressed immense gratitude, “There are not enough words to explain how much I love this place. I really enjoy being here and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to compete at a venue like this. Everyone is friendly and inviting, the show office staff, the in-gates and grounds crew. The footing is spectacular, and the horses are so relaxed. I could go on and on.”
Securing the second spot was Caelinn Leahy (USA), who piloted Steve Schaefer’s 16-year-old KWPN gelding The Gray Man (Tjungske x Calando I), to a commendable time of 66.43 seconds, earning them the red ribbon.
Lillie Keenan (USA), aboard McLain Ward’s 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Lezaro (Böckmann’s Lord Pezi x Landadel), clinched the third place position with a polished performance, completing the course in 68.15 seconds.
1.40m Speed CSI3* Results:
1 LADY STAKKATA: 2015 Holsteiner mare by Stakkato x Levisto
Kama Godek (USA), Kama Godek: 0/65.15
2 THE GRAY MAN: 2008 KWPN gelding by Tjungske x Calando I
Caelinn Leahy (USA), Steve Schaefer: 0/66.43
3 LEZARO: 2011 Oldenburg gelding by Böckmann’s Lord Pezi x Landadel
Lillie Keenan (USA), McLain Ward: 0/68.15
Visit HorseShowing.com for final results.
Spectators are welcome! From now until March 24, 2024, experience the thrill of the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results on HorseShowing.com. For real-time scoring, check out Ryegate.Live.
A limited number of weekly stalls remain for the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series, book your stall today!
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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