The pinnacle of show jumping sport crescendoed in the Lakeside Arena at TerraNova Equestrian Center on Saturday, March 15, 2025 as some of the best athletes across the globe battled it out in hopes of winning the week’s premier event, the $100,000 Dutta Corporation 1.45m FEI CSI2* Grand Prix. As the finale of the venue’s five-week circuit, the fifth week of the TerraNova Winter Series brought with it an extra-special aura with the addition of increased prize money and playing host to the Split Rock Jumping Tour. Held in the picturesque background of Myakka City, Florida, the series has delivered weekly on the thrill of both international show jumping action as well as nationally-rated hunter, jumper, and equitation competition. As no stranger to TerraNova Equestrian Center, or to a podium finish, it was none other than Paul O’Shea (IRL) who delivered the dominating performance aboard Spy.

A man riding a bay horse over a jump in Florida.

Paul O’Shea and Spy won the feature on the final weekend of the TerraNova Winter Series. (Jessica Buehler photo)

Peter Holmes (CAN) built a track worthy of the 32 elite international-level combinations on the start list to tackle round one with a variety of technical questions meant to advance only the field’s best. Representatives from seven individual nations laid it all on the line with hopes of earning the lion’s share of the day’s prize money, but ultimately, only 11 pairings managed to successfully find their way to the short course. Never one to be doubted amongst incredible competition, O’Shea produced not one but two double-clear efforts to give himself double the chances of a victory. He put the pressure on early with his winning partner, and as the rails continued to drop throughout the entirety of the jump off round, it became more and more clear that the pair had sealed the deal.

“Peter Holmes did a great job today; it was a tough course but I think for $100,000 it should be,” stated O’Shea. “My plan was to go as quickly as I could with Spy. He’s got a big stride and he’s very careful so that’s a big help on a track like this.

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