World Equestrian Center - Ocala 2023 Summer Series Week VI Highlights

^{Week VI of the 2023 Ocala Summer Series was filled with smiling riders and perky eared horses. Photo courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.}

Ocala, FL – World Equestrian Center – Ocala showcased yet another thrilling week of equestrian sport during the 2023 Ocala Summer Series. Tracy Fenney opened up the week with a win in the $24,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix. Daniel Geitner stole the show aboard Coltrane in the $12,500 Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club 3’6”-3’9” Hunter derby and Aaron Vale closed the week with a double victory in the $100,000 Tipperary Equestrian Grand Prix. Read on for additional highlights.

*^{^{Luis Pedro Biraben & Chapeau PS Z in the $10,000 THIS 1.40m Jumper Classic. Photo courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.}}*

On Sunday afternoon, Luis Pedro Biraben claimed the $10,000 THIS 1.40m Jumper Classic victory aboard Chapeau PS Z.

“He’s a very nice young horse, he’s been successful in the 1.40m and 1.50m. He’s showed in the three-stars here a few weeks ago and had good results.”

*^{Aaron Vale & Elusive in the $100,000 Tipperary Equestrian Grand Prix. Photo courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.}*

Aaron Vale snagged first and second in the $100,000 Tipperary Equestrian Grand Prix.

“Elusive was operating tonight. I got seven strides from one to two which was really fast. I ran up to the end vertical in nine, that was one more than Cristo, but that put me a stride ahead from one to two. I flew down to the in-and-out. I took a bit of a breath to the yellow, but caught the last two flying again. Sometimes when you get him running, the faster you run the harder he tries.”

*^{Luis Sabino Goncalves & Scoop De Septon Z in the $10,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix. Photo courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.}*

Luis Sabino Goncalves and his new partner Scoop De Septon Z captured the $10,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix victory.

“He’s a new horse that I bought two months ago in Europe. This is our second show together. He’s already had a clear round in the 1.45m Welcome, but I wanted to compete today in the Futures and tomorrow in the 1.40m Classic to get him more acclimated with the atmosphere. I hope he will do the grand prix soon.”

*^{Sabine Haddon & Allure. Photo courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.}*

On Friday, Sabine Haddon and Allure charmed the crowd in the $2,000 Medium Junior/Amateur Jumper 1.30m-1.35m.

“I purchased her back in 2019 to jump 1.10m and she actually ended up being a lot more difficult than I thought, but we were able to move up through the levels. We actually did the High [Junior/Amateur Jumpers] during the Winter circuit, but I feel like the 1.30m is perfect for her. She always tries so hard. For a horse that I was just going to jump little jumps with, she’s fantastic. She’s fun, spicy and has taught me how to ride better. I owe her everything.”

*^{Daniel Geitner & Coltrane. Photo courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.}*

Daniel Geitner and Coltrane mastered the $12,500 Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby.

“I moved up in the order because we had a few multiple rides. I knew with Maria [Rasmussen] coming behind me, I had to try to pull out all the stops. I wanted to start out with a good gallop that would carry me through the course and Coltrane was amazing as usual.”

*^{Maria Rasmussen & Hobbs Lane. Photo courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.}*

Maria Rasmussen and Hobbs Lane prevailed in the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby.

“I wanted to be as handy as I could because he shines in the handy and loves doing it. I tried to take every inside turn available and just show him off.”

*^{Hayley Waters Wear & Genuine. Photo courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.}*

Hayley Waters Wear and Genuine topped the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby.

“There were a few scores close to mine in the first round that also had nice scores in the second, so I knew I didn’t have a ton of wiggle room. I just tried to be as handy as I could and stay out of his way,” said Waters Wear on her strategy for the handy.

*^{Tracy Fenney & MTM Apple in the $24,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix. Photo courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.}*

Tracy Fenney and MTM Apple were amazing to the core in the $24,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix.

“I didn’t love the way I met the first jump, but I rolled away and had to steady down the seven in the first line. She rolled back great to the yellow oxer. She has such a good motor and is always going forward. I think I left one out to the double, which you usually need to be very careful to. We almost whipped too tight around to the green, and I thought the seven was going to be super long, but her stride is so huge, I actually had to slow her down.”