Ocala, Florida, USA – June 16, 2024 – A beautiful sunny morning set the stage for the $30,000 Golden Ocala National Grand Prix, the final feature event of the first week of the World Equestrian Center – Ocala 2024 Summer Series. Twenty-five top horse-and-rider combinations competed, but it was Paul O’Shea (IRL) who stole the spotlight. Riding Team Eye Candy’s Hellcat (Cassander Van Het Bremhof x Dominica), O’Shea not only produced the sole double-clear effort but also clocked the fastest time, clinching victory.
FEI Level III course designer Andy Christiansen (ECU) crafted the challenging tracks this morning, allowing only six competitors to advance to the jump-off round.
O’Shea, the second athlete to return for the jump-off, praised Hellcat’s consistent performance, saying, “Hellcat is a super mare. Two or three weeks ago in Tryon, she won the two-star qualifier and the two-star grand prix. She won a speed class on the grass in Wellington and won a two-star grand prix before Christmas. Any class at 1.50m, she does well. She placed in the grass at Spruce Meadows. She is really brave, quick across the ground, and very honest.”
Allowing the 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare’s quick footspeed to shine, O’Shea described their strategy: “She’s a very quick mare. I always have to slow down at the end, so normally there should have been eight strides straight to the last, but I did nine because sometimes she gets a little too quick. I still had the speed, but was able to ease off to the last, and luckily it was enough.”
Tracy Fenney (USA) secured the second-fastest time in the jump-off aboard MTM Farm’s 13-year-old Danish Warmblood mare, MTM Apple (Favorite Ask x Kong’s Whopsie), finishing in 38.154 seconds but had an unfortunate rail at the first fence for four faults.
Dominique Damico (USA) and Chatinus (Chacco-blue x Argentina), a 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Show Jumping Syndications Int’l, rounded out the top three, with one rail down in the jump-off and a time of 43.232 seconds.
The pair soared over the final fence, stopping the clock at 36.364 seconds, leaving all rails up, securing the fastest time and the only clear round in the jump-off.
“I thought it was a tough one. Last night was a 1.45m, so this morning at 1.50m, it was a decent course. I was glad I was going into it with a horse with a lot of experience.”
O’Shea, who has been riding Hellcat for three years, expressed his gratitude for the team behind her, “She’s a bit of a handful at times,” he laughed. “Davide Troncanetti and Paula Moverley do an amazing job with her. Davide takes care of her and Paula does most of the riding. She spends most of her time with them, and you can just tell how much they care for her. Erica Hatfield, who is a huge supporter of mine and a great owner, really cares about the horses. I couldn’t do this without them.”
Tanner Korotkin (USA) and Sandalwood Farms’ King Z received the fastest four-faulter award with a quick first round time of 70.140 seconds with one rail down.
Luke Sassi received the ‘Luck of the Draw’ award.
Final Results – $30,000 Golden Ocala National Grand Prix
1) Paul O’Shea (IRL) & Hellcat – 0 / 0 – 36.36
2) Tracy Fenney (USA) & MTM Apple – 0 / 4– 38.15
3) Dominique Damico (USA) & Chatinus – 0 / 4 – 42.23
4) Dorothy Douglas (USA) & MTM Pablo – 0 / 4– 44.90
5) Camille Maynard (USA) & Jack Straw – 0 / 6 – 46.64
6) Annie Bolling (USA) & Mykonos SCF – 0 / 8 – 37.63
7) Anne Bingler (USA) & Inspirado – 3 / 77.08
8) Tanner Korotkin (USA) & King Z – 4 / 70.14
9) Aaron Vale (USA) & Cristo Beech – 4 / 70.19
10) Tanner Korotkin (USA) & Qastaar Van’t Heike – 4 / 71.65
Source: Press Release from the World Equestrian Center
Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography
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