Ocala, Florida, USA – March 01, 2024 – The $35,000 The Dutta Corporation Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 3* took center stage as the premier event on Thursday evening, featuring a field of star-studded horse-and-rider pairs showcasing their skills under the lights of the WEC Grand Arena. Molly Ashe Cawley (USA) emerged victorious with her longtime partner Berdien (Bustique x Querlybet Hero), owned by Louisburg Farm, and galloped away with the winning title. 

FEI Level III course designer, Catsy Cruz (MEX) set the intricate tracks that allowed 11 horse-and-rider combinations to qualify for the returning jump-off and seven of the returning pairs managed to yield a double clear effort. 

Aaron Vale (USA) was the fourth to return, and he was ready to up the ante aboard Thinkslikeahorse’s speedy I. Adermie R 4 (Den Ham Blue R x Namelus R). Clocking in at 39.65 seconds, Vale and the 11-year-old Royal Dutch Sport Horse – Dutch Warmblood (KWPN) mare laid down a challenging benchmark for the remaining competitors.

Having competed at World Equestrian Center – Ocala multiple times, Ashe Cawley praised the venue, “This place is amazing. I can’t say enough nice things about it. It’s a breath of fresh air and a treat that somebody has gone above and beyond our wildest dreams building a facility. It’s nice to be here and be apart of it from the beginning.” 

Already finding one double-clear ride with her first mount Kick On, Lillie Keenan (USA) aimed for another clear ride. Guiding the nine-year-old Zangersheide stallion Chili Pepper H M Z (Cornet Obolensky x Caretano Z), Keenan blazed through the course in 41.48 seconds to slide behind Vale on the leaderboard. 

Vale’s victory seemed to be sealed, but Molly Ashe Cawley (USA) was determined to take the win aboard Berdien. “Aaron is the reason I am always second in these classes. So, I had a little bit of an axe to grind with him. I just wanted to beat him once, because he doesn’t let you do it very often,” laughed Ashe Cawley.

Having competed at World Equestrian Center – Ocala multiple times, Ashe Cawley praised the venue, “This place is amazing. I can’t say enough nice things about it. It’s a breath of fresh air and a treat that somebody has gone above and beyond our wildest dreams building a facility. It’s nice to be here and be apart of it from the beginning.” 

Final Results – $35,000 The Dutta Corporation Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 3*

1) Molly Ashe Cawley (USA) & Berdien: 2011 Zangersheide mare by Bustique x Querlybet Hero, Molly Ashe Cawley (USA), Louisburg Farm: 0 / 0 / 39.31

2) Aaron Vale (USA) & I. Adermie R 4: 2013 KWPN mare by Den Ham Blue R x Namelus R, Thinkslikeahorse: 0 / 0 / 39.65

3) Lillie Keenan (USA) & Chili Pepper H M Z: 2015 Zangersheide stallion by Cornet Obolensky x Caretano Z, Chansonette Farm LLC: 0 / 0 / 41.48

4) Sean Jobin (CAN) & Darius: 2008 KWPN gelding by Warrant x Lbh Calvados, Foxridge Farms Stables: 0 / 0 / 42.14

5) Lillie Keenan (USA) & Kick On: 2014 Warmblood stallion by Warrior x Caretino Glory, Chansonette Farm LLC: 0 / 0 / 42.90

6) Samantha Schaefer (USA) & James Bond HX: 2014 KWPN gelding by Douglas x Cash, Bonne Chance LLC: 0 / 0 / 44.14

7) Anna Dryden (USA) & Gipsy Love: 2014 Warmblood mare by Guidam Sohn x L’esprit, Double Meadows Farm, LLC: 0 / 0 / 47.13

8) Summer Hill (USA) & LA Belle SCF: 2011 Belgian Warmblood mare by Diktator Van De Boslandhoeve x Baldini
Andrea Simpson: 0 / 4 / 41.81

9) Anna Dryden (USA) & Night van de Kwakkelhoek: 2013 Belgian Warmblood stallion by Jilbert Van’t Ruytershof, Double Meadows G LLC: 0 / 4 / 42.98

10) Molly Ashe Cawley (USA) & Loukas de La Noue: 2011 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Malito De Reve x Mr Blue, Oakridge Farm: 0 / 6 / 54.43

Source: Press Release from the World Equestrian Center

Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography

Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center

Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography

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