Ocala, FL – The 2023 Ocala Summer Series continues with two more weeks of elite hunter/jumper competition. During Week VIII there were several déjà vu moments for several riders including Luis Sabino Goncalves in the $100,000 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Grand Prix, Daniel Geitner in the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby and Lillian Geitner in the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby. Read on for additional highlights from week VIII.
Andrea Torres Guerreiro & Fifty Shades close out the week with a win in Sunday’s $10,000 THIS 1.40m Jumper Classic.
“I’ve had him since he was five and he’s now 15. He’s done all the big stuff. Today, I got a little lucky because there were no clears in the jump-off. The course was more difficult than I thought it was going to be. Catsy is a fantastic designer, she’s tough, but that keeps me on my toes. The horse was great as always, he’s was just out there having fun.”
Luis Sabino Goncavles had an enjoyable case of déjà vu with Vick Du Croisy when he won the $100,000 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Grand Prix.
“This facility is incredible, and this ring is unbelievable. The rings are constantly changing. The moved the lakes and the jumps are new each day, it feels like a different arena. That mare particularly hates a routine – same arena, same jumps and same decoration. She gets bored. But here, they switch out and move everything so often, it feels like a new show each week.”
Dominique Damico and Jamaica took flight in the $10,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures prix.
“The time was quite tight. I think I was just under the time with Jamaica. It was a long course, it takes you all over the ring, but it’s so much fun to ride in a ring like that. The track itself rode nicely; the time was the hardest thing about it.”
Lillian Geitner and Dale Car cruised to the top during Friday night’s $2,000 Medium Junior/Amateur Jumper 1.30m-1.35m.
“We call her Dolly because she needs a girly name. She’s an incredible horse. She’s spicy for sure and is always ready to go super-fast. I have been riding her since May and when I first started, I thought she was a lot of horse, because I’ve never really ridden a hot horse before, but with each ride, I fall in love with her more.”
Maria Rasmussen and Goodfella were great in the $12,500 Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby.
“It was a tough course. You had to pick the right track and there were so many options. It made my head hurt,” joked Rasmussen. “But I knew Daniel had a good trip in the first round and a handy horse. Coming back, we were only separated by one point, so I knew I had to be as tidy as I could, but my horse loves that. It’s his favorite thing.”
Daniel Geitner landed a double victory in the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby.
“The handy was a bit tricky. The first jump was in a difficult spot, if you went inside the turn was short. You had to trust your horse and they had to trust you. The first two turns in the beginning were tricky, but the rest you could gallop and show off your horse.”
Lillian Geitner secured her first feature class win of the week in the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby.
“It’s been a fun few weeks. It’s so nice to be able to compete in the indoors and stay cool. The courses have been great, and the jumps are beautiful. I am excited to come back this winter.”
Tracy Fenney and MTM McIntosh kicked into a new gear in the $24,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix.
“From one to two, I left one stride out from everyone else, they did eight, I did seven. Rode right over to the double and left out to the Lugano. I could have probably done seven down the last line, because I did eight in the first round, but the eight ended up being easy. I think I kicked into a new gear – he didn’t have a choice.”
Cassie Kelly and Lexie Williams’ Black Magic prevailed in the $2,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby.
Catherine Garrett and her own Up Front landed the $3,500 WEC Ocala 2’6” Non Pro Hunter Derby victory with an overall score of 162.
Congratulations to all exhibitors on another fantastic week of equestrian sport.