Ocala, Florida, USA – March 09, 2024 – An elite group of horse-and-rider combinations vied for top honors in the $31,500 Winning Round CSI 4* Saturday afternoon at the WEC Grand Arena. Gregory Bodo (FRA) and Pieter Viste (BEL) crafted the tracks that asked several questions, but it was Richie Moloney (IRL) and his trusted partner Rocksy Music (Ars Vivendi x Diamond Serpent), owned by Equinimity LLC, that seized the lead and took home the lion’s share of the prize money.

The Winning Round CSI 4* introduced a new class format at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. This class brings back the top 10 horse-and-rider pairs after the first round, regardless of previous faults or time, to the ‘Winning Round’ in reverse order, resetting all scores to zero. Today, all 10 contenders delivered clear first rounds, setting the stage for an exciting jump-off.

With each competitor faster than the last, Moloney had a strategic plan. “It helped to be a little bit quicker in the first round, because I was eighth to go in the jump-off, so I had a good idea what everyone else was doing,” he shared. 

“The first two jumps, everyone was doing nine, and I did eight because I had to do something different. From the water tray to the oxer, I did eight again, where everyone else did nine, so there were two places where I think I had the time.” 

Moloney and Rocksy Music blazed through the timers, clinching victory with a time of 33.40 seconds, a full second ahead of second place.

Reflecting on his partnership with the 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Moloney expressed, “I’ve had him since he was nine, so it’s been seven years. I know him very well. He’s always a great one to have at these shows for the speed classes. He seems to always pick up a little bit of prize money and help us pay for the week,” Moloney laughed.

Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) secured another podium finish, this time aboard Paseo Farms’ 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding Quick Step (Quintender 2 x Calido I), clocking an efficient time of 34.43 seconds.

Charlie Jones (GBR) claimed third place with Morning Star Sporthorses’ 13-year-old Holsteinter gelding Capitale 6 (San Patrignano Cassini x For Pleasure), just shy of Pessoa’s time in 34.68 seconds. 

Final Results – $31,500 Winning Round CSI 4*

1) Richie Moloney (IRL) & Rocksy Music: 2008 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Ars Vivendi x Diamond Serpent, Equinimity: 0 / 0 / 33.40

2) Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) & Quick Step: 2013 Hanoverian gelding by Quintender 2 x Calido I, Paseo Farms, LLC: 0 / 0 / 34.43

3) Charlie Jones (GBR) & Capitale 6: 2011 Holsteiner gelding by San Patrignano Cassini x For Pleasure, Morning Star Sporthorses, LLC: 0 / 0 / 34.68

4) Amy Millar (CAN) & Jagger HX: 2014 KWPN gelding by Ustinov x Bustique, Team Eye Candy: 0 / 0 / 35.86

5) Conor O’Regan (IRL) & Big Boy Z: 2013 Zangersheide gelding by Big Star Jr K Z x Carido Z, Delshore Horses LLC: 0 / 0 / 37.11

6) Nicole Walker (CAN) & Atout de Trambles: 2010 Selle Francias gelding by Nectar Des Forets*hn x Apache d’Adriers, Nicole Walker: 0 / 4 / 34.06

7) Kama Godek (USA) & Conny 409: 2014 Oldenburg mare by Conthargos x Cassini II, Kama Godek: 0 / 4 / 34.09

8) Sharn Wordley (NZL) & Brin d’Or de Haute Melen Z: 2014 Zangersheide gelding by Bamako De Muze x Baloubet Du Rouet, Della Wordley: 0 / 4 / 36.48

9) Tiffany Foster (CAN) & Nindino PS: 2015 Oldenburg gelding by Nintender x Diarado, 5 Roosters: 0 / 4 / 37.08

10) Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Farrel: 2010 KPWN gelding by Cardento 933 x Stakkato, Ariel Grange: 0 / 8 / 33.68

Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center

Photo: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography

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