Kristen Vanderveen & Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili on Top of the Podium Again at Hits Ocala

By Jumper News USA on March 23, 2024

Ocala, Florida, USA – March 21, 2024 – The final $25,000 Alliant Private Client Cup kicked off a high-intensity week of jumper action at Hits Post Time Farm as athletes geared up to finish out the 2024 Hits Ocala Winter Circuit. The last week of the 10-week long series features a variety of elite competition from the jumper ring to the hunter arena and the equitation discipline. Sealing the deal for one more win in the Grand Prix ring at the venue, Kristen Vanderveen (USA) piloted longtime partner Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili through another quick round for the top honors.

Olaf Petersen Jr. (GER) set another spectacular track for the day’s main event as 25 of the sport’s top riders warmed up their mounts for the challenge ahead. As rails fell across the course, the number of pairings successfully advancing to the short course dwindled to six contenders. Vanderveen’s turn came up halfway through the jump off and her tried-and-true partner, the Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC’s 19-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion, delivered another brilliant performance to overtake the lead.

“Frosty loves it here,” admitted Vanderveen. “Even though it’s week ten, he feels fresh as ever and I was quite excited to show today. Frosty has been in a great mood so he felt like he was going to play ball today.

“Olaf [Petersen Jr.] has a very specific style and it worked out well for us today,” she continued. “I am so happy with him that we might just let him end on a high and let this be his finale.”

***Sharn Wordley*** (NZL) & **Brin d’Or de Haute Melen Z**

Last week’s grand prix winner Sharn Wordley (NZL) landed just milliseconds off of Vanderveen’s pace of 46.38 seconds with a time of 46.66 seconds on Della Wordley’s 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Bamako De Muze), Brin d’Or de Haute Melen Z, for the runner up ribbon.

***Declan Egan*** (USA)) & **Renkum A’Toast**

No strangers to the winner’s circle, Declan Egan (USA) and his 12-year-old Warmblood gelding (Cheers Cassini), Renkum A’Toast, produced the only other clear round to finish their day in third.