Celso Ariani & Jip Van T&L Z Best the Field in the $32,000 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 2*

By Jumper News on 2025-06-17

Ocala, United States – June 12, 2025 – International show jumping is in full swing at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC). A picture-perfect Florida day set the scene for the $32,000 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 2*, where 46 horse-and-rider combinations representing 16 nations contested the top spot on the leaderboard. In the end, it was Brazil’s Celso Ariani (BRA) and San Marino Stables’ Jip Van T&L Z (James Vd Kornelishoeve x Toulon) who emerged victorious.

FEI Level III course designer Andy Christiansen (ECU) set a demanding first-round track that featured technical lines and a tight time allowed, which proved difficult for several combinations. Only four pairs managed to deliver clear rounds, setting the stage for a jump-off showdown between Brazil, Mexico, the United States and Ireland.

“It was a very nice course,” said Celso Ariani. “I was a little surprised there were so few clear rounds. I was lucky to go later in the order, which gave me the opportunity to watch the first round and see where others were picking up time faults. The time allowed was tricky, so I galloped as much as I could in the first round.”

As the first clear in the opening round, Ariani returned first for the jump-off aboard the 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding. His plan was straightforward: “I wanted to try for six strides from one to two and then just keep going as fast as I could.”

The strategy paid off. The pair delivered a quick and fault-free effort in 40.27 seconds—a time that would prove unbeatable.

**Maya Denis** (MEX) & **Overnusa’s Luidam Quality**

Mexico’s Maya Denis (MEX) was the only other athlete to produce a double-clear effort. She piloted Overnusa’s Luidam Quality (Luidam x Obos Quality 004), a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, to two stellar rounds. In the jump-off, the pair stopped the clock in 41.06 seconds—just shy of the winning time—to secure second place.

Rounding out the podium was Hilary McNerney (USA) with her own Brava (Balou Du Rouet x Graf Top), an 11-year-old Hanoverian mare. The duo posted the fastest time of the jump-off at 39.24 seconds but incurred a four-fault score to finish third.

Ariani is thrilled to be back at WEC – Ocala following a successful four-star outing last summer. “I love every centimeter of this place. Everything is perfect. I am 58 years old and have competed at most of the major shows across Europe, the United States and there is truly no other place that compares.”

I’m very happy with my horse, he’s just getting better and better. I’ve been riding him for over a year now, and he hasn’t done much FEI before, so this was a great start. A few weeks ago, I had an accident, so this is my first week back in the saddle, and I am very happy with the result.”