Ocala, Florida, USA – December 06, 2023 – World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) welcomed international athletes, both new and familiar to the WEC Grand Arena to kick-off the first week of the 2023 December Show Series and the consistent duo of Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen (USA) and Forever SFN flew to another podium finish, this time in the $40,000 1.45m Speed Challenge CSI 3*.

FEI Level IV course designer, Guilherme Jorge (BRA) crafted the winding track that had one athlete chasing the next. An even dozen managed to jump-clear with the top three placings separated by tenths of a second. 

With a time of 61.60 seconds, Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen (USA) and Serenity Farm’s 13-year-old Royal Dutch Sport Horse / Dutch Warmblood gelding Forever SFN (Azteca VDL x Non Stop) were just shy of the winning time by three hundredths of a second, to ultimately take home second place honors. 

Final Results – $40,000 Speed Challenge CSI 3* – 1.45m

1) Grace Debney (GBR) & Zarina de Vidau: 2011 Spanish Sport Horse mare by Diamant de Semilly x Coeur De Nuit Temple Equestrian LLC: 0/61.57

2) Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen (USA) & Forever SFN: 2010 KWPN gelding by Azteca Vdl x Non Stop, Serenity Farm: 0/61.60 

3) Sharn Wordley (NZL) & Brin d’Or de Haute Melen Z: 2014 Zangersheide gelding by Bamako De Muze x Baloubet Du Rouet Della Wordley: 0/62.19

4) Beat Mändli (SUI) & Amiro B Z: 2014 Zangersheide gelding by Asca Z x Concreto, Grant Road Partners LLC: 0/62.66

5) Kristen Vanderveen (USA) & Bull Run’s Hesed: 2014 Oldenburg gelding by Christian 25 x Lord Z , Bull Run Jumpers: 0/63.44

6) Todd Minikus (USA) & Kiekeboe: 2015 KWPN gelding by Darius x Game Boy, Spirit Group: 0/64.00

7) Chloe Reid (USA) & Chelsea 179: 2015 Oldenburg mare by Cador 5 x Laudabilis, Live Oak Plantation: 0/64.44

8) Rowan Willis (AUS) & Wellington Grey Goose: 2011 Warmblood mare by Corlensky G x Grandire , Rowan Willis: 0/64.94

9) Mario Deslaueries (CAN) & Emerson: 2012 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Eldorado Vd Zeshoek x Berlin , Wishing Well Farm LLC: 0/64.97

10) Alise Oken (USA) & Oraline van Prinseveld: 2014 Belgian Warmblood mare by Thunder Vd Zuuthoeve x Convento Van De Helle , Hi Hopes Farm LLC : 0/67.23

11) Alise Oken (USA) & Bonhomme Richard: 2011 Selle Francais stallion by Catoki x Quaprice Bois Margot, Hi Hopes Farm LLC: 0/68.40

12) Beat Mandli (SUI) & I. Umonia R 60: 2013 KWPN gelding by Den Ham Blue R x Chellano, Grant Road Partners LLC: 0/69.42

Source: Press Release (edited) from World Equestrian Center

Photo: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography

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