Ocala, Florida, USA – January 26, 2025 –  The cold spell finally gave way to sunshine in Central Florida on Sunday, creating the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of top-tier competition at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. Nineteen horse-and-rider combinations stepped into the Grand Arena to contest the $40,000 Barnwalkers Grand Prix, where Hunter Holloway (USA) and Over The Top Stables’ Noortje VD Windheuvel (Farfelu De Muze x Kannan) claimed the top prize. 

Marina Azevedo (BRA) crafted a challenging and technical course yet again that tested competitors’ precision and time management. Only three riders navigated clear first rounds, advancing to an electrifying jump-off that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. 

First to return, Marcus Gruenthal (GER) and Linda Bammann’s 13-year-old Belgian Sport Horse mare Garrincha Van De Kalevallei (Plot Blue x Numero Uno), set an impressive pace with a clean and efficient round, stopping the clock at 40.321 seconds.  

Jelmer Hoekstra (NED) followed, piloting Eyckenhoeve Group’s nine-year-old KWPN mare Lizelottie W (Comme II Faut 5 x Guidam) through a tight inside turn from fence two to three, shaving fractions off Gruenthal’s time to take the lead in 39.880 seconds. 

Determined to surpass Hoekstra’s performance, Holloway and the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Noortje VD Windheuvel approached the course with a winning mindset. “My strategy was to win,” Holloway laughed. “I wanted to just ride the track, get the right numbers everywhere, and keep it smooth. She’s very fast on her own, so I’m lucky that I don’t have to think about that because she just does it for me.” Using the mare’s natural speed, the duo flew around the course in a blistering 36.574 seconds to secure victory. 

Holloway was thrilled with the seasoned mare’s performance. Reflecting warmly on their partnership, she shared, “I don’t have enough good things to say about her. She’s super consistent, she loves to win, she’s fast, she’s easy: all the things you’d want. She’s done five-star classes and competes from 1.40m up to 1.60m. Pick your class, and she’s ready.” 

Juan Pablo Gaspar (MEX) and O-Centurio Van Stal Cipa earned the “fastest four faulter” title with a time of 82.831 seconds in the first round with one rail down, while Maude Filiatrault (CAN) was the lucky winner of the “luck of the draw” prize. 

Final Results – $40,000 Barnwalkers Grand Prix

1) Hunter Holloway (USA) & Noortje VD Windheuvel – 0 / 0 – 36.574

2) Jelmer Hoekstra (NED) & Lizelottie W – 0 / 0 – 39.880

3) Marcus Gruenthal (GER) & Garrincha van de Kalevallei – 0 / 0 – 40.321

Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center

Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography

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