Ocala, Florida, USA – June 23, 2023 – Eleven nations were represented on Thursday evening during the second $50,000 UF Health Grand Prix Qualifier CSI3* of the 2023 Ocala Summer Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. In customary fashion, Aaron Vale (USA) and Thinkslikeahorse’s I. Adermie R 4’s performance wowed the crowd and the dynamic pair closed the night with a win.
Guilherme Jorge’s (BRA) first round track was inviting, encouraging great jumping efforts from all of the equine athletes, allowing 18 pairs to earn a spot in the jump-off. However, the jump-off track presented unique challenges that allowed just six to go double clear from among the 18 qualifiers.
Aaron Vale found clear first rounds on both of his mounts I.Adermie R 4 and Prescott. Vale returned first aboard the careful 10-year-old Royal Dutch Sport Horse mare I. Adermie R 4 (Den Ham Blue R x Namelus R).
Vale was determined to steal pathfinder Jad Dana’s (LBN) slot on the leaderboard, “Jad Dana, I know is very fast. We competed together in Kentucky during the Three-Day Event. They have a speed class the first day and I think he won the speed class on that horse by six seconds. Not everybody went crazy fast, but still to win by six seconds, I know he can go!”
Vale strategized after he studied Dana and After Eight’s performance, “I was watching on the TV in the schooling ring, and it looked really quick. I thought I could be tighter back to the Golden Ocala oxer, and I think I was a bit inside of everybody’s tracks, but it costed me a stride to the double. I had to do seven there, but I only added one and saved about two in the turn. I was really tight back to the UF Health jump and was well inside of everyone’s tracks there.
The last jump came up right in stride just running down there.”The pair soared through the timers stopping the clock at a blistering 36.36 seconds to take the lead and ultimately gallop away with the lion’s share of the prize money.
Jad Dana (LBN) and After Eight, a 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare owned by Springhill Farm 1850, LLC slid into the second place position with a time of 36.79 seconds, just four tenths of second behind Vale and I. Adermie R 4.
Ashlee Bond (ISR) and the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Garfield (Chellthago Z x Numero Uno) added another podium finish to their list with a time of 37.71 seconds.
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Final Results: $50,000 UF Health Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 3*
1) Aaron Vale (USA) & I. Adermie R 4: 2013 KPWN mare by Den Ham Blue R x Namelus R, Thinkslikeahorse – 0 / 0 – 36.36
2) Jad Dana (LBN) & After Eight: 2010 Swedish Warmblood mare by Diarado x Cardento , Springhill Farm 1850, LLC – 0 / 0 – 36.79
3) Ashlee Bond (ISR) & Garfield: 2011 KWPN gelding by Chellthago Z x Numero Uno, Aurora Farms, LLC – 0 / 0 – 37.71
4) Chloe Reid (USA) & Crossover 4: 2012 Hanoverian gelding by Cascadello x Chacco-Blue, Team Reid LLC – 0 / 0 – 40.80
5) Hunter Holloway (USA) & Dana de Kerglenn: 2013 Selle Francais mare by My Lord Carthago x Shana De Kerglenn
, Hays Investment Corp – 0 / 0 – 40.89
6) Dorothy Douglas (USA) & MTM Cedrik: 2013 Holsteiner gelding by Colman x Vicky VI, Nina Koloseike – 0 / 0 – 43.48
7) Tracy Fenney (USA) & MTM Apple: 2011 Danish Warmblood mare by Favorit Ask x Willemoes, MTM Farm – 0 / 4 – 34.90
8) Lauren Balcomb (AUS) & Verdini d`Houtveld Z: 2011 Zangersheide gelding by Verdi TN x Caretino 2, Lauren Balcomb – 0 / 4 – 35.75
9) Samuel Parot (CHI) & Chrystal Blue: 2011 Oldenburg gelding by Chacco-Blue x Calvaro F.C., Samuel Parot – 0 / 4 – 35.90
10) William Simpson (USA) & Whoop De Doo: 2011 Warmblood mare by Mr. Whoopy x Double Trouble X, 5 Roosters – 0 / 4 – 38.66
11) Kaitlin Campbell (USA) & Kaiser van het Lambroeck: 2010 Belgian Warmblood stallion by Nabab De Reve x For Pleasure, Camille Leblond – 0 / 4 – 40.16
12) Captain Brian Cournane (USA) & Sea Plus: 2012 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Catoki x Cruising , Captain Brian Cournane – 0 / 4 – 40.72
Source: Press Release from WEC – World Equestrian Center
Photos: © Andrew Ryback Photography
Categories: CSI 3*, English, Jumper News USA
