An international field of thirty-one athletes took to the WEC Grand Arena under the lights to contest the $140,000 Lugano Diamonds FEI CSI3* Grand Prix over a track designed by renowned course designer, Guilherme Jorge (BRA). The action packed class was the perfect culmination of World Equestrian Center – Ocala’s inaugural week of FEI show jumping competition. At the close of the evening’s competition, it was Australia’s Lauren Balcomb and her longtime partner, Verdini D’Houtveld Z that earned the first international grand prix victory at World Equestrian Center – Ocala.
Riders from twelve nations tried their hand at Guilgerme Jorge’s challenging course that tested competitors with an imposing double combination and a tight time allowed of 79 seconds. As the first round concluded, the returning line-up consisted of five representatives from three countries prepared to battle it out over the jump-off track.
The first entry to return was Aaron Vale (USA), who managed to deliver clean first rounds on both of his mounts, Prescott and Condarco. Vale was the first to return on Prescott, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Lordanos. The pair swiftly completed the course in 39.06 seconds, but with an unfortunate rail at the final fence.