Ocala, Florida – Canada’s Hugh Graham closed out the two-week Ocala Jumping Classic by winning the $50,000 Ocala Jumping Classic Grand Prix, Presented by Brook Ledge Inc., held Sunday, April 12, at the Florida Horse Park in Ocala, Florida.
Course designer Catalina Cruz of Mexico set a track that saw nine members of the 30-horse starting field advance to the jump-off. Sergio Campos of Brazil was the first rider to post a double clear effort riding Mill Creek Early Morning, an eight-year-old Hannoverian mare owned by Canada’s Mill Creek Stables, stopping the clock in a time of 39.60 seconds.
Campos was immediately followed into the ring by Canadian Olympian Beth Underhill, who had been the winner of the $50,000 Ocala International Grand Prix one week earlier with Cantero Z. This time, her mount was Iron Horse Farm’s Top Gun, but a rail fell at the second element of the troublesome double combination before the final fence came down, leaving Underhill in sixth place overall. While another grand prix victory was not meant to be, Underhill had scored a hat trick in Friday’s $10,000 Open Welcome taking first, second and third with Cantero Z, Top Gun and Tjengo respectively.
Five-time Colombian Olympian Manuel Torres was next in the order and posted a clear round in a time of 38.78 seconds riding Chambacunero, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion by Quidam de Revel, to take over the lead.
It was short-lived, however, as the next challenger was Graham of Schomberg, ON, and Executive Privilege 3E, who had placed second to Underhill one week earlier in the $50,000 Ocala International Grand Prix. Graham guided the nine-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding, owned by King Ridge Stables, home in a time of 38.36 seconds to move to the top of the leader board. Three more riders tried but none could do better, giving Graham the victory and $15,000 in prize money.
“He’s been jumping well all circuit, it is only his first season at grand prix, and it looks like he wants to be a winner,” said Graham who also won the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix during the first week of the HITS circuit in Ocala, FL, with Executive Privilege 3E. “There was a turn in the jump-off that the others didn’t try and I knew I could probably manage it, so I did it. That made the difference. We had a good weekend.”
In addition to winning the $50,000 Ocala Jumping Classic Grand Prix with Executive Privilege 3E, Graham won the $5,000 Modified Grand Prix on both Saturdays riding the eight-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding, Fifth Estate 3E. Executive Privilege 3E and Fifth Estate 3E were bred by owner KingRidge Stables of King City, ON, and both are by the same sire, Class Action.
“I like the show because the footing is really good, the horses jump well,” said Graham. “It is very consistent, and that is important to me. It was a good show with some good competition.”
During the $50,000 Ocala Jumping Classic Grand Prix, Presented by Brook Ledge Inc., a catered luncheon was held in support of JustWorld International, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged children in the developing world.
“It was a wonderful way to spend Easter Sunday,” said Ainsley Hayes, Manager of the Ocala Jumping Classic. “We had another great week of competition with beautiful courses set by Catalina Cruz, and the show continues to gain momentum every year.”
Hayes Co. will next produce the 2009 National Capital Show Jumping Tournament featuring the CSI2* National Open from August 12-16 and the CSI2* National Tournament from August 19-23 in Ottawa, ON.
$50,000 Ocala Jumping Classic Grand Prix, Presented by Brook Ledge Inc. – Final Results
Rider Hometown Horse Faults Time
1. Hugh Graham Schomberg, ON Executive Privilege 3E 0:0 38.36
2. Manuel Torres Colombia Chambacunero 0:0 38.78
3. Sergio Campos Brazil MC Early Morning 0:0 39.60
4. Roberto Teran Colombia Double Diamond 0:4 38.59
5. Aaron Vale Ocala, FL Tarco 0:4 38.86
6. Beth Underhill Schomberg, ON Top Gun 0:8 38.58
7. Mark Samuel Toronto, ON Wembley 234 0:8 40.74
8. Sharn Wordley New Zealand Andiamo Pyon 0:8 46.83
9. Cody Auer Fairfield, CT Okido 0:16 43.16
10. Sarah Johnstone Aurora, ON Leonidas 4
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