Ocala, Florida, USA – January 12, 2025 – The $40,000 Juniper Grand Prix took center stage on Sunday afternoon, with 22 horse-and-rider combinations vying for the top prize. The thrilling competition culminated in a six-horse jump-off, where Kristen Vanderveen (USA) secured victory aboard her new partner, Bull Run’s Celestial (Cicero Z Van Paemel x Celeste), owned by Bull Run Jumpers, Inc.
Course designer Ben Townley (GBR) crafted a challenging track, which saw seven pairs advance to the jump-off, although one chose to conserve their horse for another day.
Ireland’s Jonathan Corrigan and Ritual Vitseroel were first to return but faced two unfortunate rails, finishing in 40.615 seconds. Megan Wexler (USA) followed aboard Charly Brown 353, delivering a quick and clear round in 38.956 seconds, setting the pace.
Tracy Fenney (USA) and her new partner Farno D’or then overtook the lead with a time of 37.901 seconds. Sharn Wordley (NZL) raised the bar even higher aboard Valentine Car (Son of Juan Car x Sofia Car), completing the course in an impressive 36.049 seconds.
Dorothy Douglas (USA) and MTM Pablo (Perigueux x Celina), a 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Davenport Farms, came close, stopping the clock at 37.223 seconds to slide behind Wordley.
Kristen Vanderveen (USA) was last to go with Bull Run’s Celestial. “I watched Sharn go, and I know Valentine Car is very fast, but I tried to just stick with my plan. I don’t know the horse super well, so I tested his big stride by leaving out strides in the first two lines. I was able to get a better turn back to the combination than I actually expected. Then from there, using his big stride to just run for the last few jumps, was pretty fun,” she said.
The pair flew down the final line, soaring over the Juniper oxer and stopping the clock at a blistering 34.969 seconds to take the win.
Vanderveen spoke about her promising new partner, a coming 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding. “He’s pretty new. I got him a few months ago. We got him in Europe, where he jumped a few 1.50m classes. He’s a very sensitive horse, so it’s taken me a little bit to get to know him. I feel like now we’re kind of clicking. I showed him in Toronto in a two-star, and he felt great, but today was the most comfortable I’ve felt with him.”
Looking ahead, Vanderveen added, “After this week, I think he’ll jump the ranking classes in next week’s four-star. His bigger class for next week will be the qualifier, and we’ll see how he does with that. But the goal is to build him up into being backup or side-by-side with [Bull Run’s Jireh].”
Other highlights included Kama Godek (USA) receiving the Fastest Four-Faulter award with Lady Stakkata, finishing with one rail down in 65.647 seconds. Addison Reed took home the ‘Luck of the Draw’ award.
Final Results – $40,000 Juniper Grand Prix
1) Kristen Vanderveen (USA) & Bull Run’s Celestial – 0 / 0 – 34.969
2) Sharn Wordley (NZL) & Valentine Car – 0 / 0 – 36.049
3) Dorothy Douglas (USA) & MTM Pablo – 0 / 0 – 37.223
Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center
Photos: © WEC – Ocala / Andrew Ryback Photography
Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center
Photos: © WEC – Ocala / Andrew Ryback Photography
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Categories: USEF Rated, World Equestrian Center
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