Ocala, FL – December 07, 2023 – The $50,000 UF Health Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 3* was the highlight event of the evening as 26 international athletes representing 11 different nations vied for the top prize over tracks set by FEI Level IV course designer Guilherme Jorge (BRA). In a competitive 10 horse jump-off, last to go, Luis Larrazabal (VEN) snagged the win aboard Belle de Muze, a 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Driss Ngadi.
Belle de Muze is still a new partner for Larrazabal, “I got her in the beginning of the year. Day one I was very excited. We had a great connection and her owner, Drisss Ngadi saw that we would be a great combination. I knew she was going to be a winner, I just needed to find what she liked, and how she liked to go. Now, it’s really starting to pay off, and we are getting more consistent.”
Although the partnership is still fresh, Larrazabal had a good jump-off plan for his speedy mare by Pensee V. “When I saw others going fast, I thought trying to do the early seven would set a good pace for the rest of the track. I just tried to keep up with her pace and stay out of her way.”
The pair flew through the timers stopping the jump-off clock at 33.57 seconds to take the victory.
Larrazabal spoke about his spicy winning mare, “It goes her way, or it doesn’t,” laughed Larrazabal. “I let her do her job and I try to keep her happy because she knows her job. I don’t have to teach her anything. The less I do, the better it is for her.”
Second place honors went to Sharn Wordley (NZL) and Champion League, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Cador 5 x Contendro I. The duo navigated a flawless jump-off track in 34.48 seconds.
World Equestrian Center – Ocala newcomer Mario Deslauriers (CAN) rounded out the top three with Wishing Well Farm LLC’s 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Emerson (Eldorado Vd Zeshoek x Berlin) with a quick and clear round in 35.28 seconds.
Final Results – $50,000 UF Health Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 3*
1) Luis Larrazabal (VEN) & Belle de Muze, 2010 Belgian Warmblood mare by Ponsee V, Driss Ngadi: 0 / 0 / 33.57
2) Sharn Wordley (NZL) & Champion League: 2013 Hanoverian gelding by Cador 5 x Contendro I, Daniel Michan: 0/0/34.48
3) Mario Deslauriers (CAN) & Emerson: 2012 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Eldorado Vd Zeshoek x Berlin, Wishing Well Farm LLC: 0 / 0 / 35.28
4) Chloe Reid (USA) & Crossover 4: 2013 Hanoverian gelding by Cascadello x Chacco-Blue, Team Reid LLC: 0 / 0 / 36.82
5) Ilan Bluman (COL) & Acajou: 2015 German Sport Horse mare by Casallco x Chico’s Boy, Ilan Bluman: 0 / 0 / 37.14
6) Sharn Wordley (NZL) & Brin d’Or Haute Melenz Z: 2014 Zangersheide gelding by Bamako de Muze x Baloubet Du Rouet Della Wordley: 0 / 0 / 37.37
7) Lucy Deslauriers (USA) & Joevaro N: 2014 KWPN stallion by H5 Elvaro x Equador, Luja LLC: 0 / 0 / 37.43
8) Jad Dana (LBN) & After Eight: 2010 Swedish Warmblood mare by Diarado x Cardento, Springhill Farm 1850: 0 / 4 / 35.45
9) Beat Mändli (SUI) & Amiro B Z: 2014 Zangersheide gelding by Asca Z x Concreto, Grant Road Partners LLC: 0 / 4 / 35.91
10) Coco Fath (USA) & Aventador 5: 2012 Rheinlander gelding by Arpeggio x Landadel, Coco Fath: 0 / 8 / 40.49
11) Alise Oken (USA) & Forrestal: 2014 Oldenburg gelding by Don Dlarado x Allegreto, Alise Oken: 0/WT
12) Beat Mändli (SUI) & Chartraine Pre Noir: 2012 Selle Francais mare by Kannan x Corrado II, Grant Road Partners LLC: 4/76.24
Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center
Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography
Categories: CSI 3*, English, Jumper News America Latina
