Drammen, Norway –June 04, 2023 – The U.S. Jumping Team ended their time at CSIO3* European competitions under the guidance of Chef d’Equipe Anne Kursinski at Longines EEF Series Drammen CSIO 3* . The highlight of the week came with Alise Oken (USA) and Gelvera’s win in Sunday’s NOK $460,150 Oxer Grand Prix CSIO 3* with Alessandra Volpi (USA) and Haya Loma N finishing third. After winning last week’s European Equestrian Federation Nations Cup at CSIO3* Uggerhalne, the U.S. Jumping Team of Oken, Volpi, Jacob Pope, and Nikko Ritter had a tough first round in Friday’s EEF Nations Cup Drammen but an improved second round served as a valuable learning experience.

Seven combinations returned for the jump-off in the NOK $460,150 Oxer Grand Prix CSIO 3*, including the U.S.’s Alise Oken (USA) and Gelvera and Volpi and Haya Loma N. Volpi (Woodside, Calif.) and Haya Loma N, her 2012 KWPN mare groomed by Emmanuelle Malboeuf, had the fastest four-fault jump-off round with a time of 41.42 seconds to finish in third place.

Alessandra Oken (Charlotte, N.C.) and Gelvera, a 2011 Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Hi Hopes Farm, LLC and groomed by Barbara Macinska and Gail Shepard, delivered a clear round in a time of 44.08 seconds to clinch the win. It was the first time a U.S. combination had won Drammen’s Grand Prix since 2001.

“I have had [Gelvera] for about four years now. I know her really, really well, and I trust her a lot,” said Oken. “On Friday, I didn’t have the result I wanted in the Nations Cup, so I really felt like I had something to prove today. I feel like she exceeded my expectations and she jumped incredibly. I’m so proud of her and happy with her.”

Kursinki was pleased with the U.S. athletes’ results in the Grand Prix as well as the camaraderie of the team.

“Everybody here cheering each other on, helping in the warm-up ring. It was very, very exciting,” said Kursinski. “Alise’s mare had been a little difficult in the first round of the Nations Cup, so they redeemed themselves and proved that they deserve to be here. Alise rode beautifully and the mare went great. Alex was faster in the jump-off but had a jump down. She really went for it and had the time, but that’s show jumping and that can happen. To end up first and third with just two entries in the class today, it was a wonderful, wonderful ending to this tour.”

“It was interesting because a couple of the [European] chefs were so thankful that we would bring a team this far for their riders to see our riders and also good for our riders,” said Kursinski. “We compete so much amongst ourselves, so, for [the U.S. riders] to have this kind of experience, there is no substitute for it. It is an amazing experience for all of them. It is just a steppingstone for all of their futures.”

Final Results – $460,150 Oxer Grand Prix of Drammen CSIO 3*

1) Alise Oken (USA) & Gelvera – 0 / 0 – 44.08

2) Marie Valdar Longem (NOR) & Echo de Virton – 0 / 0 – 45.82

3) Alessandra Volpi (USA) & Haya Loma N – 0 / 4 – 41.42

Source: Press Release by Kathleen Landwehr – US Equestrian Communications Department for US Equestrian – USEF – United States Equestrian Federation

Photos: © Astrid Marie Årdal / Equine Sport Photography

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