Richard Spooner Bookends the Podium in the $75,000 Barnwalkers Grand Prix at Ocala

By Jumper News USA on November 18, 2024

Ocala, Florida, USA – November 16, 2024 – The WEC Grand Arena at World Equestrian Center – Ocala was buzzing with energy as exhibitors and spectators gathered for the $75,000 Barnwalkers Grand Prix during Week II of the 2024 November Show Series. A thrilling seven-horse jump-off had the crowd on the edge of their seats, culminating in a dramatic finish when last-to-go Richard Spooner (USA) clinched the win aboard Molly Ohrstrom’s Halcon.

FEI Level III course designer Oscar Soberon (USA) set challenging tracks for a competitive field of 29 horse-and-rider combinations. Riders from ten different nations competed, but the jump-off came down to a battle between Ireland, the United States, and Australia.

**Robert Blanchette** (IRL) & **Chardonnay**

Robert Blanchette (IRL) was the first to go and set the bar high, piloting Ridersmith LLC’s speedy 13-year-old Westphalian mare, Chardonnay (Comme II Faut 5 x Quinni Van Het Rozenhof) to a blazing time of 36.752 seconds. Many thought his effort would remain unbeatable.

**Richard Spooner** (USA) & **Lyjanair**

Richard Spooner (USA) made it to the jump-off with two mounts: Lyjanair (Lyjanero x Villa), a new partner owned by Show Jumping Syndications Int’l, and Halcon (Con Air 7 x Jota-e Calista), a horse he’s developed since he was four. Watching Blanchette’s round, Spooner adjusted his strategy: “When you watch someone go that fast, there is no plan anymore—it’s just how fast can I get from one timer to the next?” Spooner guided the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding to a fast round, stopping the clock at 37.117 seconds, just shy of the lead.

Several riders tried but couldn’t best Blanchette’s time. As the final competitor, Spooner entered the arena aboard his second mount Halcon, a horse he’s produced from jumping a 1.10m in Jumper 1 to winning competitive grand prix events during the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series.

Coming back on Halcon, again, I couldn’t really have a plan. I didn’t think I could go any faster because Robert was so fast. I mean, on Lyjanair, I was just kicking the entire time. When I came in on Halcon, I thought, ‘If I can stick to the same numbers, I can travel faster,’ because Halcon has a shorter stride than Lyjanair. After hitting that triple bar, I had to fly to get the eight, which meant I was probably up half a second from my earlier time. Then, I came a bit tighter to the combination, on an angle, and sharper out. I really put the hammer down across the middle—it felt like I was in a different area code,” he joked. “The six to the oxer was a no-brainer, and I just kept going, waiting for the last oxer, which he gave an incredible effort.”

With a remarkable time of 36.156 seconds, Spooner and the talented nine-year-old Argentinian Sport Horse stallion took the win.

Spooner couldn’t have been prouder of his horses. “I’m elated. To feel an animal get dialed in and fight as hard as they can to jump clean, all while you’re saying, ‘go faster, go faster, go faster,’ and they just do it—it’s pretty invigorating.”

Luis Sabino Gonçalves (POR) earned the fastest four-faulter award aboard Vick du Croisy, posting a swift first-round time of 72.756 seconds with one rail down.

Ben Taylor (GBR) was honored with the ‘Luck of the Draw’ award.