Ocala witnessed a full house during the inaugural Saturday night event of the 12-week 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series, the $100,000 Tipperary Equestrian Grand Prix. A field of top-tier athletes from across the world showcased their skills over a challenging track crafted by FEI Level IV course designer Steve Stephens (USA). In a nail-biting jump-off, Dorothy Douglas and MTM Pablo (Perigueux x Celina) took risks that ultimately paid off, making their start to the winter circuit a memorable one.
With waterfalls, walls, and brand-new obstacles, horses were jumping in top form over the first round track. A total of seven managed to jump clear and stay under the time allowed of 87 seconds to return for the jump-off.
Dorothy Douglas (USA) was the third athlete to attempt the short course, and knew she had a competitive field behind her, “Mike [McCormick] and Tracy [Fenney] are always pushing me to win. They care less about me making mistakes and care more about me trying to win it. I know I have a fast horse, and I trust him more than anything. I wanted to be smart in some places, but also take the risks in order to win it.”
The dynamic duo raced through the jump-off track, executing tight turns and leaving out strides, clocking an unbeatable time of 42.185 seconds.
The 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding holds a special place in Douglas’s heart. “I got Pablo as a seven-year-old. I started him in the 1.30m and now he’s almost always in the jump-offs on Saturday nights. He’s an unbelievable horse, and I am so lucky to be able to ride him. We have a cool connection. I know exactly what he’s going to do, and he anticipates what I am thinking too.”
Douglas was overjoyed to kick off the circuit on a high note, “Mike always says you can’t win them all, if you don’t win the first one,” laughed Douglas. “It’s such a special night. The course was unbelievable, and the crowd was amazing. I also have a bunch of people here supporting me tonight, which makes it all that much more amazing.”
Tracy Fenney (USA), Douglas’s stablemate, secured second place riding a fan favorite MTM Apple (Favorit Ask x Kong’s Whopsie). Fenney and the 13-year-old Danish Warmblood mare finished just six tenths of a second behind Douglas and MTM Pablo, posting a time of 42.848 seconds.
Aaron Vale (USA) emerged as the only other competitor with a double clear effort, guiding Sigma Stables LLC’s 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding Constantin De Hus (Ugobak Des Baleines x Cafe Creme) to a flawless round in 45.354 seconds, rounding out the top three.
Aaron Vale also secured the fastest four-faulter award with Elusive. The pair found the quickest first round time of 84.411 seconds with one rail down.
Kama Godek received the ‘Luck of the Draw’ award.
$100,000 Tipperary Equestrian Grand Prix Results:
1. MTM Pablo, Dorothy Douglas (USA), Davenport Farms: 0 | 0 | 42.185
2. MTM Apple, Tracy Fenney (USA), MTM Farm: 0 | 0 | 42.848
3. Constantin De Hus, Aaron Vale (USA), Sigma Stables LLC: 0 | 0 | 45.354
4. James Bond HX, Samantha Schaefer (USA), Bonne Chance LLC: 0 | 4 | 47.331
5. Cool Ray NA, Fernando Cardenas (COL), B&C, LLC: 0 | 8 | 43.010
6. Prescott, Aaron Vale (USA), Thinkslikeahorse: 0 | 8 | 46.210
7. Blue Movie, Rowan Willis (AUS), Rowan Willis: 0 | RT
8. Elusive, Aaron Vale (USA), Thinkslikeahorse: 4 | 84.411
9. Gray’s Inn, Mallory Vale (USA), Thinkslikeahorse: 4 | 84.674
10. Psalm, Megan Wexler (USA), Amen Corner Farm, LLC: 4 | 85.594
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