Ocala, Florida, USA – December 10, 2023 – On a radiant and picturesque morning in Florida, the scene was set for the $50,000 Lugano Diamonds National Grand Prix at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. The intricate tracks for today’s competition were crafted by FEI Level IV course designer, Guilherme Jorge from Brazil. The class unfolded with a riveting seven-horse jump-off, ultimately culminating in Tracy Fenney (USA) and MTM Apple (Favorit Ask x Kong’s Whopsie) claiming top position on the leaderboard.

The seven-horse jump-off consisted of some of nation’s fastest athletes including Luis Sabino Gonçalves (POR), Richard Spooner (USA), Tracy Fenney (USA), Dorothy Douglas (USA), Chloe Reid (USA) and Jenny Rankin (IRL). 

Luis Sabino Gonçalves (USA) and Richard Spooner (USA) both fell victim to one heart breaking rail. Tracy Fenney was the next athlete in to attempt to navigate a clear round. MTM Apple was feeling a little fresh, and threw in some playful moments before heading to jump number one, “It’s always a great feeling knowing she’s having fun. I just laugh and try to get her focused for the first jump. She sassed me about four strides out, and I was like, ‘okay, if you’re going to keep sassing me, I am going to have to circle,’ but once she had her eye on the jump, it was game time.” 

Fenney and the 12-year-old Danish Warmblood mare did what they do best, leave out strides and take tight turns, “I knew I had to be quick with Luis Sabino and Dorrie behind me, so I had to turn on the burners. I did nine to the double, even with the one fence in the way. To the last, I knew the six was there because Luis did it on his first horse, but with Apple’s stride, I actually had to slow down to fit in the last stride.” 

The pair soared through the timers stopping the clock at 33.196 seconds to ultimately gallop away with the victory. 

Fenney’s stablemate, Dorothy Douglas (USA) snagged second place with Davenport Farm’s MTM Pablo (Perigueux x Celina). Douglas and the 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding were just over a second off the pace with a time of 34.837 seconds. 

Chloe Reid (USA) scored herself another grand prix podium finish this morning. With several four-fault scores, Reid opted to take a more conservative approach and pilot Live Oak Plantation’s Luis P (Böckmann’s Lord Pezi x Chat Noir) to a clear round. The pair stopped the clock at 46.854 seconds with all rails up to round out the top three. 

Sharn Wordley (NZL) and Mick Jagger secured the fastest four-faulter award with a quick first round time of 69.266 seconds with one rail down. 

Stephanie Gallucci received the ‘Luck of the Draw’ award. 

Final Results – $50,000 Lugano Diamonds National Grand Prix

1) Tracy Fenney (USA) & MTM Apple, MTM Farm: 0 | 0 | 33.196

2) Dorothy Douglas (USA) & MTM Pablo, MTM Farm: 0 | 0 | 34.837

3) Chloe Reid (USA) & Luis P, Live Oak Plantation: 0 | 0 | 46.854

4) Luis Sabino Goncalves (POR) & Vick Du Croisy, Sigma Stables LLC: 0 | 4 | 33.655

5) Luis Sabino Gonçalves (POR) & Scoop De Septon Z, Sigma Stables LLC: 0 | 4 | 34.596

6) Richard Spooner (USA) & Halcon, Molly Ohrstrom: 0 | 4 | 36.402

7) Jenny Rankin (IRL) & Ibiza, Blackwood Group: 0 | 4 | 39.143

8) Sharn Wordley (NZL) & Mick Jagger, Della Wordley: 4 | 69.266

9) Sharn Wordley (NZL) & Valentine Car, Fernando Cardenas: 4 | 72.750

10) Kyle Dewar (CAN) & Clever Van De Helle, Kyle Dewar: 4 | 73.034

Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center

Photo: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography

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