Ocala, Florida, USA – June 20, 2024 – A perfect Florida night set the stage for the $62,500 Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 3*, featuring 42 top Jumping combinations from 13 nations. FEI Level IV course designer, Guilherme Jorge (BRA), crafted the winding tracks for the tonight’s qualifier which culminated in an exciting 13-horse jump-off. Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run Jumpers, Inc.’s Bull Run’s Hesed (Christian 25 x Lord Z) clinched victory by a mere tenth of a second.
Fourteen combinations managed to jump Jorge’s first round tracks clear, and 13 opted to return for the jump-off.
Vanderveen guided both her mounts, Bull Run’s Jireh and Bull Run’s Hesed, to the jump-off. An unfortunate rail with Bull Run’s Jireh left her determined as she returned with Bull Run’s Hesed.
“It was a tough start because you really needed to stay inside the gazebo to be competitive, but there was a jump in the way, so it ended up being a little of a swivel. It’s handy to have a horse like him tonight because I was able to just add in a little step rather than trying the flier like I did on my other one. I almost started to go for it again, but I thought, he’s quick-footed and small, so I would still have the same speed with an extra step,” Vanderveen shared.
Vanderveen and the speedy 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding flew through the rest of the course, stopping the clock at 36.81 seconds.
Luis Sabino Gonçalves (POR), the last athlete to attempt the jump-off, was close behind on Sigma Stables’ Scoop de Septon Z (Hunters Scendro x Echo Van T Spieveld), a 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding, finishing in 36.96 seconds, just a tenth of a second short.
Tracy Fenney (USA) held an early lead with MTM Farm’s 13-year-old Danish Warmblood mare MTM Apple (Favorit Ask x Willemoes), clocking 37.47 seconds for a respectable third place finish.
“He’s so confident. I wasn’t sure if he was going to leave the ground, and he ended up being there right with me,” Vanderveen remarked.
Bull Run’s Hesed is still a new partner for Vanderveen, “I got him in the fall of last year, so I’ve had him for the winter circuit. Right off the bat, he won a four-star grand prix qualifier and has been great. His personality is my favorite because he is a can-do man. Anything he believes he can do; he will do. Tonight, clearly proved he can fly!”
Final Results – $62,500 Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 3*
1) Kristen Vanderveen (USA) & Bull Run’s Hesed: 2014 Oldenburg gelding by Christian 25 x Lord Z, Bull Run Jumpers, Inc.: 0 | 0 | 36.81
2) Luis Sabino Gonçalves (POR) & Scoop de Septon Z: 2014 Zangersheide gelding by Hunters Scendro x Echo Van T Spieveld, Sigma Stables: 0 | 0 | 36.96
3) Tracy Fenney (USA) & MTM Apple: 2011 Danish Warmblood mare by Favorit Ask x Willemoes, MTM Farm: 0 | 0 | 37.47
4) Paul O’Shea (IRL) & Squirt Gun: 2011 Oldeburg gelding by Diarado x Quick Star, Paul O’Shea: 0 | 0 | 38.12
5) Luis Pedro Biraben (ARG) & Chacco Bumpy: 2011 Oldenburg gelding by Chacco-blue x Toulon, Luis Pedro Biraben: 0 | 0 | 39.27
6) Chloe Reid (USA) & Crossover 4: 2013 Hanoverian gelding by Cascadello x Chacco-blue, Team Reid LLC: 0 | 0 | 39.58
7) Sharn Wordley (NZL) & Brin D’or De Haute Melen Z: 2014 Zangersheide gelding by Bamako De Muze x Baloubet Du Rouet, Della Wordley: 0 | 0 | 40.53
8) Abigail McArdle (USA) & Olympia Van Het Eikenhof: 2014 Belgian Warmblood mare by Elvis Ter Putte x Toulon, Sweetwater Jumpers LLC: 0 | 4 | 39.56
9) Erynn Ballard (CAN) & Coconet: 2014 Oldenburg mare by Colman x Cornet’s Stern, Wight Show Stables LLC: 0 | 4 | 39.88
10) Kristen Vanderveen (USA) & Bull Run’s Jireh: 2014 Holsteiner gelding by Uriko x Colman, Bull Run Jumpers, Inc.: 0 | 4 | 39.93
Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center
Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography
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Categories: CSI 3*, English, Jumper News USA
