Wellington, Florida, USA – March 28, 2021 – Forty-five combinations took their final turn around the Global International Arena at Equestrian Village of the season on Sunday morning as they contested the $50,000 CabanaCoast Grand Prix CSI 2*. Last to go in the jump-off, it was Ireland’s Stephen Moore (IRL) aboard Vlock Show Stables’ Team de Coquerie that took the lead in a time of 40.81 seconds over a course designed by Mauricio Garcia (PUR).

Second place in the $50,000 CabanaCoast Grand Prix CSI 2* went to Canada’s Jacqueline Steffens (CAN) on Eye Candy Jumpers’ 2007 Selle Francais gelding (Heartbreaker x Girl De Coquerie), Cat Ninja, who crossed through the fast track timers in 41.42 seconds.

Third was awarded to Samantha Wight (USA) riding Melissa Wight’s 2008 Zangersheide mare (Cap Kennedy x Ma Jolie D’Troteval), Crunch de Troteval Z, finishing their jump-off in 42.54 seconds.

“We’ve been building up for a few weeks for this class,” explained Moore. “This is his second two-star grand prix of the season; we started slowly. He jumped good in the qualifier and had one down that kept us out of the jump-off. In the first round today, we got lucky in a few spots and had a few rubs, but he’s always so fast. In the jump-off we were last to go, and I knew the ones that were ahead of me were quite quick, but he’s so fast and turns well so I just had to let him do his thing and hope that his food speed would be fast enough.”

The 2007 Selle Français gelding (Heartbreaker x Girl de Coquerie) has been a part of the Vlock Show Stables’ program for about four years, and Moore has had the ride on and off throughout that period of time.

“I rode him when we first got him, and then Darragh [Kenny] who is also a part of our program, rode him for a while,” said Moore. “I’ve been with him for the last year now. He won a grand prix at Deeridge last winter and then had a great summer, so it’s good to leave Wellington with another win under his belt.”

Moore concluded, “I thought the courses all week were very well done. It’s hard to build for the two-star classes because you’re limited with your height, so they have to be technical. That called a lot of people out in several places, even I was lucky myself to get through the first round without having one down.”

Final Results – $50,000 CabanaCoast Grand Prix CSI 2*

1) Stephen Moore (CAN) & Team de Coquerie – 0 / 0 – 40.81

2) Jacqueline Steffens (CAN) & Cat Ninja – 0 / 0 – 41.42

3) Samantha Wight (USA) & Crunch de Troteval Z – 0 / 0 – 42.54

Source: Press release by Kate Pettersen, Kim Beaudoin & Sabrina Bashares / Jennifer Wood Media Inc. for ESP – Equestrian Sports Productions / PBIEC – Palm Beach International Equestrian Center

Photos: © Sportfot

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