Ocala, Florida, USA – March 17, 2023 – The penultimate week of the 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series opened with the $24,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix. FEI Level IV course designer Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR) set the tracks for 30 starters from nine different countries, but it was Dorothy Douglas (USA) and Davenport Farm’s MTM Pablo (Perigueux x Celina) that surpassed the field to secure victory.
A total of seven athletes representing Ireland, New Zealand, Mexico and the United States returned for the jump-off.
Jill Gaffney (USA) and Freestyling Farms LLC’s FF Blade Runner set the pace with a quick and clear time of 42.116 seconds.
Paul O’Shea (IRL) followed aboard Spy (Centadel x Chaconie) owned by Eye Candy Jumpers. O’Shea and the nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding shaved off nearly four seconds with a time of 38.424 seconds.
Sharn Wordley (NZL) was competitive aboard the 19-year-old Irish Sport Horse stallion Gatsby. The pair stopped the clock at 38.774 seconds, just three tenths of a second off the pace.
Next in, Hunter Holloway and Hays Investment Corp.’s Dana De Kerglenn couldn’t quite get there with a time of 39.850 seconds.
Dorothy Douglas (USA) and MTM Pablo were the third to last pair to attempt Cabral’s jump-off track, “Everyone at my farm as been putting more pressure on me to win and not always protect. Knowing that Tracy wasn’t here showing and she was at the barn working, I had to go for it.”
Douglas and the ten-year-old Warmblood gelding flew around the short course, leaving out strides while navigating tight turns to stop the clock at a blistering fast 37.181 seconds to take the lead.
“I am learning how to win and not just jump around clear. It’s a different mentality. I want to be smooth and have an idea in mind, but I have such a great group of horses with amazing owners, that everyone would prefer me to mess up trying rather than play it safe,” shared Douglas.
Maya Denis (MEX) and Alexandra Pielet (USA) were the final two competitors in the jump-off. Both athletes put forth stellar performances, but had one unlucky rail along the way.
Final Results – $24,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome Prix
1) Dorothy Douglas (USA) & MTM Pablo, Davenport Farms: 0 | 0 | 37.181
2) Paul O’Shea (IRL) & Spy, Eye Candy Jumpers: 0 | 0 | 38.424
3) Sharn Wordley (NZL) & Gatsby, Della Worldey: 0 | 0 | 38.774
4) Hunter Holloway (USA) & Dana De Kerglenn, Hays Investment Corp: 0 | 0 | 39.850
5) Jill Gaffney (USA) & FF Blade Runner, Freestyling Farms LLC: 0 | 0 | 42.116
6) Maya Denis (MEX) & Jantien De Muze, Maya Denis: 0 | 4 | 40.304
7) Alexandra Pielet (USA) & Hyperbolics, Alexandra Pielet: 0 | 4 | 42.513
8) Tiffany Foster (CAN) & Vienna Artisan Farms, LLC: 4 | 67.750
9) Addison Reed (USA) & Goliath, Reed Training & Sales LLC: 4 | 68.210
10) Rowan Willis (AUS) & Primo Troy, Rowan Willis: 4 | 68.573
Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center
Photos: © WEC – Andrew Ryback Photography
Categories: USEF Rated, World Equestrian Center
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