Ocala, FL – Week IX of the World Equestrian Center – Ocala 2022 Winter Spectacular Show Series showcased another full week of thrilling equestrian sport. Rowan Willis was unbeatable on Saturday, earning the top prize in the $10,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix and the $75,000 CaptiveOne Advisors Grand Prix. Continue reading for additional highlights from our hunter derby Friday, jumper classics and the $20,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix.
Savannah Nicole Unger and Savannah Show Stables, LLC’s Fundament E were the only pair to manager a double clear round in the $15,000 WEC Ocala 1.45m Jumper Classic, earning them the top spot.
“Fundament E is a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding that my mom imported about four years ago to be a sale horse. He came over doing the 1.30m, but he was a little unrideable, so my mom asked if I wanted to take him over. We are super happy with him. We never thought that he would be where he is now.”
Saturday night’s $75,000 CaptiveOne Advisors Grand Prix belonged to Rowan Willis (AUS) who jumped to victory aboard his own Wellington Grey Goose.
“Goose [Wellington Grey Goose] is an incredible horse. I was lucky enough to have bred her in England, but she was very difficult as a young horse. It has taken some time and a few amazing people to get her up to the level she is at now. She’s really paying off all those hard years put in and is now incredible.”
Rowan Willis and Peter Moore’s Copain took the top spot in the $10,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix earlier on Saturday.
“We have only had Copain for a month now. His owner, Peter Moore actually just flew from Switzerland to come see him, so it’s nice having a win. He’s a super competitive horse and that really showed today. I think we will start jumping a bit bigger and hopefully soon he will be in the grands prix.”
Derek Petersen and his owned Zechariah 3:9 landed the $12,500 WEC Ocala 1.40m Jumper Classic victory on Friday afternoon.
“Zechariah 3:9 just keeps getting better. He felt amazing today. I changed his bridle, and he does very well in it. I don’t have as strong of brakes but I think that was helpful today.”
Timothy Maddrix and Sarah Campbell’s Shutterbug reunited for victory in the $20,000 WEC Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby.
“I love this horse. I lost him for three years and go him back just to be a derby horse. This is his first win back with me. He was the first horse that I picked out when I first started my business. We had him for four years and he was owned by one of my favorite people. She ended up moving to Texas and brought him with her. After three years she sold him to Sarah Campbell, who called me asking if I would do the derbies on him again and I was thrilled. I am so happy to be able to ride this incredible horse again.”
Dorothy Douglas and MTM Farm’s MTM La Vita earned a pair of scores in the 90s to secure the top prize in the $15,000 WEC Ocala 3’ Open Hunter Derby.
“MTM La Vita is incredible. She won all of the Pre Green classes this week. She is ready for a kid that wants an amazing small junior hunter.”
Isabel Harbour and IMH Equine, LLC’s Fitz secured their third $15,000 WEC Ocala 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby victory during the 2022 Winter Spectacular Show Series.
“I love riding in this ring. The first round rode very nice. There was only one line where you had to do the nine and there were some related lines, but you could choose whether you wanted to stay out or be direct.”
Santiago Lambre and his own All In Horses Cava stole the win at the end of the order in the $20,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix.
“Today as the first day that [All In Horses Cava] felt more connected with me. This week, I focused a lot on flat work which was very helpful. He is naturally a hot, more difficult type of horse, so I need to try and adapt my own riding to his way of go.”
Jonna Wilks Murray and Ride Right LLC’s Roulette SSF secured their second consecutive $2,500 WEC Ocala Pony Hunter Derby win.
Pamela Treanor and her own Memphis took home the top spot in the $2,500 WEC Ocala Non Pro Adult Hunter Derby.
Lila Kimrey and her own Bentley landed the blue ribbon in the $2,500 WEC Ocala Non Pro Childrens Hunter Derby.
Congratulations to all athletes on another successful week of equestrian sport at World Equestrian Center – Ocala!