Ocala, Florida – Canadian Olympian Beth Underhill won the $50,000 Ocala International Grand Prix, Presented by Brook Ledge Inc., held Sunday, April 5, during the first of two weeks of competition at the Ocala Jumping Classic held at the Florida Horse Park in Ocala, Florida.
A total of 27 horses attempted the track set by FEI course designer Mauricio Garcia of Puerto Rico with five leaving all the jumps in place to advance to the jump-off. Underhill, who had been third on course during the opening round, was the first to return for the shortened jump-off course riding Cantero Z. Underhill guided the 10-year-old grey Zangersheide gelding home clear in a time of 35.16 seconds, setting the standard for those that followed.
Ocala’s own Aaron Vale was next in the all-weather ring riding Sinatra. The pair looked to be on target to catch Underhill’s time when the final fence, the Brook Ledge vertical, fell to the ground, leaving Vale in fifth place.
Underhill then returned to the ring with her second qualified mount, Top Gun. The nine-year-old grey Dutch Warmblood gelding was also clear but in a slower time of 37.69 seconds to earn third place.
U.S. Olympian Leslie Howard took up the challenge with Lennox Lewis but, despite having the fastest jump-off time, incurred a rail at the second element of the double combination to place fourth.
The final challenger was Canada’s Hugh Graham who had won Saturday’s $5,000 Modified Grand Prix with Fifth Estate 3E. Riding Executive Privilege 3E, a Canadian Sport Horse gelding bred by owner King Ridge Stables, Graham was clear, but his time of 36.18 seconds was not fast enough to catch Underhill.
For her victory with Cantero Z, Underhill earned $15,000 in prize money plus an additional $6,500 for third place with Top Gun. Both horses are owned by Iron Horse Farm of Hamilton, ON.
“Cantero Z is a naturally fast horse, he’s very quick across the jumps, so I put on as much pressure as I felt I could without knocking anything down,” explained Underhill of her jump-off strategy. “He is not a big horse, but he is feisty and fights hard to win. He responded to everything I asked of him. I had the luxury of having Top Gun in the jump-off as well and I was prompt and efficient, but having a clean round was the priority.”
Underhill also won Thursday’s $5,000 1.40m competition with Cantero Z and placed second with Top Gun. On Friday, she won the $10,000 Open Welcome with Magdaline, a 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Darryl B. Williams and Associates Inc.
“We had one of those weeks that come along once in a blue moon,” said Underhill, who will continue to compete during the second and final week of the Ocala Jumping Classic before returning home to Schomberg, ON. “All of my horses loved the venue and loved the footing. I had been second in the $100,000 HITS Grand Prix in Ocala two weeks earlier with Cantero Z and for him to stay in that kind of winning form was gratifying. He is really enjoying himself and having fun. My whole group was right on form.”
The fourth annual Ocala Jumping Classic continues from April 9-12 at the Florida Horse Park in Ocala, FL, and will once again feature a $50,000 Grand Prix, Presented by Brook Ledge Inc., on Sunday, April 12.
“Congratulations to Beth Underhill who enjoyed a phenomenal week, culminating with her win in the $50,000 Ocala International Grand Prix, Presented by Brook Ledge Inc.,” said Ainsley Hayes, Manager of the Ocala Jumping Classic. “We had a great week of competition with unbelievably nice weather, and we are looking forward to another great week.”
On Sunday, April 12, a catered luncheon will be held in support of JustWorld International, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged children in the developing world. Seats are available for $35 per person for each event, while tables of 10 are offered for $300.
$50,000 Ocala International Grand Prix, Presented by Brook Ledge Inc. – Final Results
Rider Hometown Horse Faults Time
1. Beth Underhill Schomberg, ON Cantero Z 0:0 35.16
2. Hugh Graham Loretto, ON Executive Privilege 3E 0:0 36.18
3. Beth Underhill Schomberg, ON Top Gun 0:0 37.69
4. Leslie Howard Fairfield, CT Lennox Lewis 0:4 34.71
5. Aaron Vale Ocala, FL Sinatra 0:4 35.25
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