Ocala, FL – World Equestrian Center – Ocala hosted its second grand prix of the week, the $50,000 Lugano Diamonds National Grand Prix early this morning. Guilherme Jorge (BRA) built the national track that was similar to the course from last night’s $140,000 Lugano Diamonds FEI CSI3* Grand Prix. It was pathfinder, Tracy Fenney and fan favorite, MTM Apple (Favorit Ask x Kong’s Whopsie) that scored the victory after posting a time that was simply uncatchable.
Forty-three combinations representing 13 different countries gathered at the WEC Grand Arena on the picturesque sunny, Florida morning. By the end of the first round, seven had qualified for the jump-off and three went double clear.
Tracy Fenney and the 11-year-old Danish Warmblood mare were the first pair to deliver a clean round in 82.373 seconds, well under the time allowed of 85 seconds.
Fenney spoke about today’s first round track, “This course was just as difficult as the course from last night. The FEI double combination was a problem last night and this morning it was fence four, so right off the bat it was challenging. There were quite a few questions asked with the striding. The line after the orange skinny vertical was really tight in five and Apple has a huge step, so I had to really sit her back. Then it was a big push to get out of the triple. The chapel fence you had to shape, so you could get the eight done to the going four, then when you think you’re finally done you have to jump a tall skinny vertical on the rail.”
Although the course was tough, it was no match for Fenney and the talented MTM Apple. The pair were first to return for the jump-off, “I like going first here. Most people prefer to go toward the end because you are a bit better off watching people go before you. On Apple, I am better just doing my thing,” laughed Fenney. “I do what I do, then hope they chance after me and make mistakes.”
Fenney and MTM Apple cruised right around the short course in an uncatchable time of 37.942 seconds for the victory.
Kristen Vanderveen followed Fenney aboard Bull Run’s Jireh (Uriko x Conella). Vanderveen and the eight-year-old Holsteiner gelding left all the jumps up in 38.621 seconds to grab second place.
The last double clear entry was secured by Vicente Guillen (VEN) and Tranquility Farm’s Rustica LS LA Silla (Rubens LS x Escarlata LS). The pair stopped the timers in 41.769 seconds to guarantee the third place spot on the leaderboard.
An additional $5,000 was award to the fastest four-faulter of the $50,000 Lugano Diamonds National Grand Prix. Aaron Vale and Lori Osterstock’s I. Adermie R 4 snagged the award with a fast time of 77.747 seconds with one rail down.
Hayley Waters received the $5,000 ‘Luck of the Draw’ award.
$50,000 Lugano Diamonds National Grand Prix Results:
1 MTM Apple, Tracy Fenney (USA), MTM Farm: 0 | 0 | 37.942
2 Bull Run’s Jireh, Kristen Vanderveen (USA), Bull Run Jumpers, Inc.: 0 | 0 | 38.621
3 Rustica LS LA Silla, Vicente Guillen (VEN), Tranquility Farm: 0 | 0 | 41.769
4 Comrado2, Savannah Jade Jenkins (UAS), Proper 12, LLC: 0 | 4 | 42.784
5 Noble De La Chapelle, Scott Keach (AUS), Southern Cross Equestrian, LLC: 0 | 4 | 43.362
6 Deauville S, Samantha Senft (USA), Castlewood Farm, Inc.: 0 | 8 | 41.433
7 I’m Special, Jamie Taylor (USA), Ali Nilforushan: 0 | 82.945
8 I. Adermie R 4, Aaron Vale (USA), Lori Osterstock: 4 | 77.747
9 Dingeman, Santiago Lambre (BRA), Santiago Lambre: 4 | 77.911
10 Mick Jagger, Sharn Wordley (NZL), Sharn Wordley: 4 | 78.648
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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