The highly anticipated $200,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix commenced on Saturday night with stands of the WEC Grand Arena packed with spectators for the finale of the 2022 Winter Spectacular Show Series. FEI Level III designer, Anderson Lima (BRA), renowned builder Bobby Murphy (USA) and Chris Barnard (USA) co-designed the technical tracks that featured stunning floral decorations and other whimsical elements including a stunning waterfall feature, a unique skinny wall and a stunning arch oxer between two ponds that made the last Saturday evening under the lights more grand than ever.

Fifty-seven athletes represented 12 different countries gathered at the WEC Grand Arena to try their hand at the intricate tracks where twelve found a fault free first round. The twelve returned, and seven yielded clean jump-off rounds, but it was Olympic rider Andre Thieme (GER) and his own Conacco (Conoglio x Chacco Osiris) that earned a sweet victory.

Andre Thieme & Conacco flying to first place in the WEC Grand Arena. (Andrew Ryback Photography)

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