Ocala, FL – The 2025 Summer Series concluded in thrilling fashion on Sunday at World Equestrian Center – Ocala with the $50,000 AdventHealth National Grand Prix. Twenty-eight top horse-and-rider combinations entered the ring, each hoping to secure one final victory for the summer. In the end, it was Vicente Guillen (VEN) who claimed the win aboard his longtime partner, Evolene De Carles (Kannan x Rafale De Carles), owned by Tranquility Farm.
Course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) set a challenging track for the series finale that saw nine combinations advance to the jump-off.
Once again, the Sunday National Grand Prix turned into a race against the clock. Sharn Wordley (NZL) piloted all three of his mounts to the jump-off, starting with Hagelin, and set the early pace in 40.945 seconds.
His lead was quickly edged out by Tracy Fenney (USA) and MTM Can Talk To Me, who stopped the timers at 40.842 seconds. Several riders tried to catch them, but it wasn’t until Wordley returned on Valentine Car (Son Of Juan Car x Sofia Car), a 16-year-old North American Warmblood gelding, that the lead changed hands again—this time in 40.730 seconds.
It looked as though victory was his, but Vicente Guillen had other plans. “The jump-off I knew was going to be so fast with Sharn and Tracy, and Sharn had three in it, so I knew I was going to have to make up the time somewhere,” Guillen shared. “One to two, I was trying to do the same strides they did. Then I was quick back to the combination, but the end is where I really let her go. When she is running, that is where she is the fastest, so I just tried to be my best there, and I think that’s where I had the time.”
The pair soared over the final oxer in a blazing 39.389 seconds, taking over the top spot and ultimately galloping away with the final feature win of the summer circuit.
Guillen spoke fondly of the 11-year-old Selle Français mare. “I’ve been with her since she was five years old, and she is just incredible—very fast and so amazing. She is a very spicy mare, so when she was young, I didn’t try to go fast in the jump-off because I was more focused on staying quiet. Now that she is older, I can really open her up and go fast. She’s such a special mare, and I am so lucky to have her.”
Having shown at World Equestrian Center – Ocala since its opening, Guillen was quick to praise the venue. “This place is just spectacular. It’s not only beautiful, but the people that work here, like Jon [Garner] and in-gate [Nate Poliquin], are so nice and really take care of the riders. Showing here is incredible and makes so many special memories. I had my first grand prix win here, and every time I show, I have the best time.”
Wordley had one last chance to reclaim the lead with his final mount, Mick Jagger (Chacco-Blue x Centina 10), a 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding. They came close, clocking in at 39.995 seconds, which secured the red ribbon and pushed Valentine Car into third.
$50,000 AdventHealth National Grand Prix Results
Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results on HorseShowing.com. For real-time scoring, check out Ryegate.Live.
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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