Nearly 100 entries took to the WEC Ocala Grand Arena on Saturday to contest the $75,000 Yellow Pony Pub & Garden Grand Prix and the $10,000 WEC Ocala Futures Prix. The courses for Saturday’s classes were designed by Peter Grant, an internationally recognized FEI Level III course designer. Grant created technical tracks that included triple combinations and options for tight roll backs.
Saturday evening’s $75,000 Yellow Pony Pub & Garden Grand Prix showcased top equestrian sport under the lights in the Grand Arena as 65 entries competed for top prize. Peter Grant of Canada designed the technical track that featured a skinny vertical bending to a challenging triple combination. Eighteen entries advanced to the jump-off, but it was Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Prince Of Peace (Cardenio x P-Comtesse) that snatched the win.
Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Prince Of Peace won multiple Grand Prix at World Equestrian Center – Ocala during the venue’s inaugural Winter Spectacular circuit. “I have had Prince of Peace for quite a while, almost four years and he is quite the character. He has a really strong personality and can be kind of rambunctious, but I think those quirks are what really makes him special,” said Vanderveen.
Vanderveen liked the options that the first course presented. “He can get a little spooky under the lights and jump the fences rather high, so the shorter lines suited him really well.” Vanderveen and the 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding delivered a flawless first round, soaring to the top of the standards to stop the clock at 78.246 seconds, well under the time allowed of 82 seconds.
Vanderveen was ready to go as fast as possible. “He [Bull Run’s Prince Of Peace] really likes these big rings where he can really run. That is a real strength of his. With there being so many in the jump-off, it was good for him to just go on a flat gallop and let it out to build up his confidence,” said Vanderveen.
Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Prince Of Peace started the jump-off strong and fast, galloping from fence one to fence two in just eight strides. Vanderveen rolled through the rest of the course, never having to pump the brakes. “On a straight flat gallop, he is amazingly brave and will try from anywhere.” Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Prince Of Peace flew to the Lugano Diamonds oxer, to stop the timers at 42.076 seconds.
Next to earn the chance to beat Vanderveen’s time was Rowan Willis and Ashton Dakota (Lupicor x Pomina M). The pressure was on for Willis and the 13-year-old SHBGB gelding after Vanderveen soared multiple seconds faster that the current lead Eugenio Garza and Contago. Willis and Ashton Dakota rocketed through the course, sprinting to the last fence to stop the clock at 42.599 seconds, just behind Vanderveen.
The last entry in Saturday night’s $75,000 Yellow Pony Pub & Garden Grand Prix jump-off was Tracy Fenney and MTM Apple (Favorit Ask x Kong’s Whopsie), who won the $15,000 WEC Welcome Prix earlier this week. Fenney and the 10-year-old Danish Warmblood mare, MTM Apple, started the jump-off strong, slicing the first fence for a nice angle to fence two. The pair bolted through the rest of the course, stopping the clock at 43.156 seconds to round out the top three.
An additional $5,000 was awarded to Rowan Willis and Blue Movie, the fastest four-faulters of tonight’s $75,000 Yellow Pony Pub & Garden Grand Prix. Thehir first round time of 71.764 seconds was almost two and half seconds faster than the second four-faulter in the first round.
$75,000 Yellow Pony Pub & Garden Grand Prix Results:
1. Bull Run’s Prince Of Peace, Kristen Vanderveen (USA), Kristen Vanderveen: 0 | 0 | 42.076
2. Ashton Dakota, Rowan Willis (AUS), Rowan Willis: 0 | 0 | 42.599
3. MTM Apple, Tracy Fenney (USA), MTM Farm: 0 | 0 | 43.156
4. Contago, Eugenio Garza (MEX), El Milagro: 0 | 0 | 44.536
5. Conreu, Kim Farlinger (CAN), Alan Chesler: 0 | 0 | 48.398
6. Ibalius SMH, Kim Farlinger (CAN), Alan Chesler: 0 | 0 | 49.192
7. Hollywood De Rase Z, Angela Covert (CAN), Angela Covert: 0 | 0 | 50.179
8. Chaverto, Juan M Gallego Martinez (COL), Juan M Gallego Martinez: 0 | 0 | 50.473
9. Calvados, Fernando Cardenas (COL), Fernando Cardenas: 0 | 0 | 50.909
10. MTM Reve Du Paradis, Tracy Fenney (USA), MTM Farm: 0 | 4 | 42.500
