Ocala, Florida, USA – December 06, 2023 – World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) welcomed international athletes, both new and familiar to the WEC Grand Arena to kick-off the first week of the 2023 December Show Series. Nineteen-year-old, Grace Debney (GBR) captured the first international victory of the series in the $40,000 Speed Challenge CSI 3* – 1.45m with Zarina de Vidau (Diamant De Semilly x Coeur De Nuit), owned by Temple Equestrian LLC.
FEI Level IV course designer, Guilherme Jorge (BRA) crafted the winding track that had one athlete chasing the next. An even dozen managed to jump-clear with the top three placings separated by tenths of a second.
Debney entered the class toward the middle of the order, but already knew that the course was perfect for her 12-year-old Spanish Sport Horse mare, “When I looked at the course chart, I knew it was going to be a good track for [Zarina De Vidau]. She’s a really quick mare and loves to turn.”
“I stuck with my plan. A lot of people did eight in the first line, but I decided to do nine, because she is such a naturally fast horse. Even with an added stride, she is quicker than the others that may have left one out,” shared Debney.
The pair whipped around the track, taking sharp turns and utilizing Zarina de Vidau’s foot speed to cross the timers in an unbeatable 61.57 seconds.
Debney credited the success to her partnership with her tried-and-true mare, “We’ve had her since she was eight, and she is now 12. She has done all my firsts – my first 1.40m, first grand prix, first FEI class and my first ever four-star. She has done so much for me, I owe her everything, and I am so excited to kick-off the week on such a high note.”
With a time of 61.60 seconds, Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen (USA) and Serenity Farm’s 13-year-old Royal Dutch Sport Horse / Dutch Warmblood gelding Forever SFN (Azteca Vdl x Non Stop) were just shy of the winning time by three hundredths of a second, to ultimately take home second place honors.
Sharn Wordley (NZL) and Brin d’Or de Haute Melen Z, a nine-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by Della Wordley, captured third place with a quick and clear time of 62.19 seconds.
Final Results – $40,000 Speed Challenge CSI 3* – 1.45m
1) Grace Debney (GBR) & Zarina de Vidau: 2011 Spanish Sport Horse mare by Diamant de Semilly x Coeur De Nuit Temple Equestrian LLC: 0/61.57
2) Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen (USA) & Forever SFN: 2010 KWPN gelding by Azteca Vdl x Non Stop, Serenity Farm: 0/61.60
3) Sharn Wordley (NZL) & Brin d’Or de Haute Melen Z: 2014 Zangersheide gelding by Bamako De Muze x Baloubet Du Rouet Della Wordley: 0/62.19
4) Beat Mändli (SUI) & Amiro B Z: 2014 Zangersheide gelding by Asca Z x Concreto, Grant Road Partners LLC: 0/62.66
5) Kristen Vanderveen (USA) & Bull Run’s Hesed: 2014 Oldenburg gelding by Christian 25 x Lord Z , Bull Run Jumpers: 0/63.44
6) Todd Minikus (USA) & Kiekeboe: 2015 KWPN gelding by Darius x Game Boy, Spirit Group: 0/64.00
7) Chloe Reid (USA) & Chelsea 179: 2015 Oldenburg mare by Cador 5 x Laudabilis, Live Oak Plantation: 0/64.44
8) Rowan Willis (AUS) & Wellington Grey Goose: 2011 Warmblood mare by Corlensky G x Grandire , Rowan Willis: 0/64.94
9) Mario Deslaueries (CAN) & Emerson: 2012 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Eldorado Vd Zeshoek x Berlin , Wishing Well Farm LLC: 0/64.97
10) Alise Oken (USA) & Oraline van Prinseveld: 2014 Belgian Warmblood mare by Thunder Vd Zuuthoeve x Convento Van De Helle , Hi Hopes Farm LLC : 0/67.23
11) Alise Oken (USA) & Bonhomme Richard: 2011 Selle Francais stallion by Catoki x Quaprice Bois Margot, Hi Hopes Farm LLC: 0/68.40
12) Beat Mandli (SUI) & I. Umonia R 60: 2013 KWPN gelding by Den Ham Blue R x Chellano, Grant Road Partners LLC: 0/69.42
Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center
Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography
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