Ocala, Florida, USA – January 27, 2023 – Spectators and exhibitors alike gathered at the WEC Grand Arena at World Equestrian Center – Ocala for the fourth Saturday night event of the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series, the $100,000 UF Health Grand Prix. Designed by FEI Level III course designer Ken Krome (USA), the intricate track set the stage for top-notch competitors hailing from nine different nations. Ultimately, it was pathfinders Dorothy Douglas (USA) and Davenport Farms’ MTM Pablo (Perigueux x Celina) who claimed victory, marking their second grand prix win of the circuit.

Ten skilled athletes representing the United States, Ireland, Australia, Portugal, Czech Republic, and New Zealand navigated their way to a clear first round, setting the stage for an intense tiebreaker. 

Dorothy Douglas and MTM Pablo were the first to enter the jump-off. Contrary to most competitors, Douglas found the advantage in going first, “I didn’t have to dwell on how many strides did they do here, how quick were they there. Going first, I wanted to be efficient, and I wanted to be clear. I knew ‘Pablo’ felt on his game, so I stuck to my plan and trusted it.”

Executing her plan, Douglas guided the 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding to an unbeatable time of 41.243 seconds to ultimately gallop away with another grand prix title. 

Reflecting on the course, Douglas praised Ken Krome’s design, “I jumped a lot of Ken Krome’s courses over the years. I think he did an unbelievable job building. There were a lot of mistakes in different areas,” shared Douglas. “The triple combination caught a good number of riders. It surprised me a bit, but I think coming away from the ingate, you really had to power up and keep the momentum all the way through. Pablo jumped amazing tonight and he felt like he was in it to win it.” 

“It’s an incredible feeling knowing that Pablo has not only stepped up to the plate to compete in these classes, but now he’s proven to be a consistent grand prix winner. I couldn’t be more proud of him,” expressed Douglas. 

Securing second place was Friday night’s futures prix winner, Sharn Worldey (NZL), this time riding Della Wordley’s 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding Champion League (Cador 5 x Charisma). The duo delivered a swift round in 42.473 seconds.

Jordan Coyle (IRL) claimed the third-place spot on the leaderboard, navigating Dermott Lennon’s 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Millview Cicero (Cicero Z Van Paemel x Royal Dutch) to a quick time of 42.539 seconds, just a tenth of a second behind Wordley.

Charlie Jones (GBR) earned the fastest four-faulter award aboard Morning Star Sporthorses LLC’s Capitale 6 with a quick first round time of 70.997 seconds with one unlucky rail down. 

Manuel Torres received the ‘Luck of the Draw’ award. 

Final Results – $100,000 UF Health Grand Prix

1) Dorothy Douglas (USA) & MTM Pablo, Davenport Farms: 0 | 0 | 41.243

2) Sharn Wordley (NZL) & Champion League, Della Wordley: 0 | 0 | 42.473

3) Jordan Coyle (IRL) & Millview Cicero, Dermott Lennon: 0 | 0 | 42.539

4) Lisa Goldman-Smolen (USA) & Ivaro N, Barbara Disko: 0 | 0 | 44.694

5) Grace Long (AUS) & Happiness VD Hazel Hof, G & T Equestrian: 0 | 0 | 45.059

6) Tracy Fenney (USA) & MTM Apple, MTM Farm: 0 | 4 | 38.794

7) Kristen Vanderveen (USA) & Bull Run’s Jireh, Bull Run Jumpers, Inc.: 0 | 4 | 42.623

8) Vaclav Stanek (CZE) & Quintin, Ariel Grange: 0 | 4 | 43.116

9) Samantha Schaefer (USA) & James Bond HX, Bonne Chance LLC: 0 | 8 | 43.189

10) Luis Sabino Gonçalves (POR) & Vick Du Croisy, Sigma Stables LLC: 0 | RT

Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center

Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Link