Wellington, Florida, USA – March 31, 2024 – The final week of the 2024 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) came to a close on Sunday with a victory for USA’s Eve Jobs (USA) and her own High Point VDL (Tinka’s Boy x Indoctro) in the $62,500 Vogel Grand Prix CSI 2* in the main arena at Wellington International. Thirteen weeks of exceptional jumper, hunter and equitation competition at WEF concluded on Sunday. 

Guilherme Jorge (BRA) laid down one final track for forty-five two-star athletes. From the initial field, six returned for a tie-breaking jump-off. 

Jobs recently returned to the competition arena and rode 12-year-old gelding, High Point VDL, to their first win together as a team. “He’s a horse I actually got a couple years back from Enda Carroll and Stephanie Carroll from Ashford Farm and he’s been amazing,” said Jobs. “I took a couple years away from the sport and would just come back for a few shows here and there throughout the year. I slowly but surely built a really special partnership with him and it’s been amazing.” 

Their partnership peaked as the pair jumped double clear, crossing the short course finish line in 41.19 seconds. “He’s rideable and he’s got such great natural balance. He’s a naturally very careful horse and today it was good enough,” continued Jobs. 

Following on the podium was Callie Schott (USA) and Fair Field (VDL Zirocco Blue x Chin Chin), owned by Southern Arches, LLC. The pair finished double clear in a time of 42.67 seconds.

Closing out the podium was Jessica Mendoza (GBR) and her own Chuck Bass (Centadel x Kannan), with a close finishing time of 42.79 seconds. 

“I started this season on a blank canvas just seeing how the horses were and how I was feeling, and as the weeks have gone on I’ve gotten a lot more into it myself,” said Jobs. “The horses are going great, my team’s amazing at home and they’ve done such a wonderful job of keeping them that way. For the foreseeable future I plan on coming back.” 

Jobs and High Point VDL will continue their time in Wellington with plans of returning to the arena for the ESP Spring Series at Wellington International. 

Final Results $62,500 Vogel Grand Prix CSI 2*

1) Eve Jobs (USA) & High Point VDL – 0 / 0 – 41.19

2) Callie Schott (USA) & Fair Field – 0 / 0 – 42.67

3) Jessica Mendoza (GBR) & Chuck Bass – 0 / 0 – 42.79

Source: Press Release from Wellington International

Photos: © Wellington International / Cassidy Klein / Sportfot