Ocala, Florida, USA – July 23, 2023 – World Equestrian Center – Ocala was teeming with exhibitors and spectators who gathered this evening for the $100,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix during Week VII of the 2023 Ocala Summer Series. At the end of a tremendous evening of show jumping sport, Luis Sabino Goncalves (POR) and Sigma Stables LLC’s Vick Du Croisy (Lord Carthago x Merveille Ducroisy) savored a delicious win after the pair blazed a lightning-fast trail in the jump-off.

A top-notch field of 28 top-level athletes representing 11 nations put forth their best effort over a challenging track set by world-renowned course designer Peter Grant (CAN). Only five horses managed to find their way to the clear for a chance to battle it out over the jump-off track. 

Juan Rodriguez Silva (GUA) set the pace at 48.259 seconds with Rodriguez Equestrian’s Presley Degli Assi, but Peter Petschenig (AUT) upped the ante with Ennebel Van Het Posthuijs in 43.799 seconds to put a bit more pressure on the remaining three competitors. 

Last week’s grand prix winner, Aaron Vale (USA) came in blazing with Thinkslikeahorse and Alise Carrico’s Cristo Beech (Its the Business x Cantero). Vale and the 12-year-old Warmblood gelding laid it all on the track and posted a time of 42.213 seconds, however victory was not yet confirmed. 

Dorothy Douglas (USA) and MTM Pablo (Perigueux x Celina) followed and stopped the clock just three tenths of a second behind Vale in 42.539 seconds, to ultimately earn third place.

Last to go, Goncalves was determined to snag the win with Vick Du Croisy, “It was a very fast jump-off, because you really had to canter and trust to go. One distance you say, woah, woah, you’re already third or fourth. Then I closed my eyes, and forgot, but then remembered I have a very smart and unbelievable mare.” 

Goncalves and the 14-year-old Selle Francais mare were in unison, finding each fence on an open gallop and taking tidy turns to stop the clock at a blistering 40.211 seconds, two seconds faster than second place. 

“There is always an amazing atmosphere here. The public gets connected with us and we feed off of their excitement. They cheer during the whole round and it makes for an electric Grand Prix. It’s exciting and motivates us to go even faster,” expressed Goncalves. 

Aaron Vale also secured the $5,000 Fastest Four-Faulter Award aboard Prescott with a quick time of 78.332 seconds with one rail down. 

Annie Bolling received the ‘Luck of the Draw’ award. 

Final Results – $100,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix

1) Luis Sabino Goncalves (POR) & Vick Du Croisy, Sigma Stables LLC: 0 | 0 | 40.211

2) Aaron Vale (USA) & Cristo Beech, Thinkslikeahorse and Alise Carrico: 0 | 0 | 42.213

3) Dorothy Douglas (USA) & MTM Pablo, MTM Farm: 0 | 0 | 42.539

4) Peter Petschenig (AUT) & Ennebel Van Het Posthuijus, Petschenig Showjumping, LLC: 0 | 0 | 43.799

5) Juan Rodriguez Silva () & Presley Degli Assi, Rodriguez Equestrian: 0 | 0 | 48.259

6) Manuel Torres (COL) & Conthalando PS, Manuel Torres: 1 | 85.415

7) Aaron Vale (USA) & Prescott, Thinkslikeahorse: 4 | 78.332

8) Matthew Williams (AUS) & ABC Quantum Cruise, Wyndmont: 4 | 78.391

9) Will Simpson (USA) &Whoop De Doo, Coxe Horses LLC: 4 | 78.791

10) Daniel Geitner (USA) & Vesta De Lavardin, November Hill: 4 | 78.833

Source: Press Release from WEC – World Equestrian Center

Photos: © Andrew Ryback Photography

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