Ocala, Florida, USA – March 06, 2024 – The $31,500 Speed Challenge CSI4* stole the spotlight this afternoon for the first Fédération Equestre International (FEI) CSI4*/CSI2* week of the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series. Top athletes from nine different nations took to the WEC Grand Arena to compete over Gregory Bodo (FRA) and Pieter Vitse’s (BEL) speed track, but it was Amy Millar (CAN) who claimed the quickest time aboard Team Eye Candy’s Jagger HX (Ustinov x Bustique). 

Gregory Bodo (FRA) is the appointed co-course designer for the 2024 Paris Olympics, and Millar was particularly interested in jumping his tracks this week, “Part of the reason I came here to show this week is to jump [Gregory Bodo’s] courses. He is very talented and tricky. You walk the course and it looks nice, then you find out as the class goes on that there are little difficulties everywhere. I think that’s what happened to a lot of people today,” shared Millar. 

Millar kicked off her first week at World Equestrian Center – Ocala on a successful note. Piloting the 10-year-old Royal Dutch Sport Horse – Dutch Warmblood (KWPN) gelding through a lightning-fast track, the duo clocked in at an impressive 71.25 seconds, nearly four seconds ahead of second place to take home the winning title.

For Jagger HX, this marked his debut in a four-star competition. “I’ve owned him for two years with Erica Hatfield from Eye Candy Jumpers. We’ve been bringing him along and training him to where he needs to be. He just turned 10 this year and has really come into his own. He’s so much fun to ride, it’s just easy for him. This is his first ever four-star competition, and after today, I am even more excited about his future.” 

World Equestrian Center – Ocala, a new venue for Millar, left a lasting impression. “It’s unbelievable. I have never seen anything quite like this. I am blown away by the quality of everything. All of the attention to detail; the hotel is incredible, the stabling is beautiful, there is so much space and the rubber flooring is great for the horses. It’s such a unique place.”

Sharn Wordley (NZL) found the second fastest time aboard Della Wordley’s 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding, Brin d’Or de Haute Melen Z (Bamako De Muze x Baloubet De Rouet) in 74.94 seconds. 

Conor O’Regan (IRL) secured third-place honors, riding Delshore Horses LLC’s 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding, Big Boy Z (Big Star Jr J Z x Caridor Z) to a time of 76.73 seconds.

Final Results – $31,500 Speed Challenge CSI 4* – 1.45m

1) Amy Millar (CAN) & Jagger HX: 2014 KWPN gelding by Ustinov x Bustique, Team Eye Candy: 0 / 71.25

2) Sharn Wordley (NZL) & Brin d’Or de Haute Melen Z: 2014 Zangersheide gelding by Bamako De Muze x Baloubet Du Rouet, Della Wordley: 0 / 74.94

3) Conor O’Regan (IRL) & Big Boy Z: 2013 Zangersheide gelding by Big Star Jr K Z x Carido Z, Delshore Horses LLC: 0 / 76.73

4) Juan Pablo Gnecco (COL) & Conthargran: 2011 Oldenburg gelding by Conthargos, Juan Pablo Gnecco: 0 / 77.24

5) Bliss Heers (USA) & Quality Star Z: 2013 Zangersheide gelding by Quality Time Tn x Cash, Bridgeside Farms L.L.C: 0 / 77.89

6) Bliss Heers (USA) & Farinjo des Mec: 2015 Selle Francias stallion by Carinjo x Kannan, Bridgeside Farms L.L.C: 0 / 79.49

7)Richie Moloney (IRL) & Rocksy Music: 2008 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Ars Vivendi x Diamond Serpent, Equinimity LLC: 4 / 70.83

8) Nicole Walker (CAN) & Excellent B: 2009 KWPN gelding by Berlin x Heartbreaker, Nicole Walker: 4 / 72.73

9) Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) & Quick Step: 2013 Hanoverian gelding by Quintender 2 x Calido I, Paseo Farms, LLC: 4 / 73.25

10) Conor O’Regan (IRL) & MANCHESTER: 2012 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Quidam De Revel x Codex , Delshore Horses LLC: 4 / 73.83

Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center

Photo: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography

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