Ocala, FL – Characteristic class motion throughout the penultimate week of the 2025 Summer time Collection kicked off early Thursday morning with the $32,000 GGT Footing Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* within the WEC Grand Enviornment. Thirty-one high horse-and-rider combos representing 15 completely different nations competed for high honors, nevertheless it was Olympian Lauren Hough (USA) who emerged victorious aboard her personal Clarisall Junior, ending practically two seconds forward of the runner-up.
FEI Stage III course designer Catsy Cruz (USA) laid the winding tracks for the aggressive discipline, and horses have been leaping in high kind. Fourteen combos superior to the jump-off, the place eight managed to provide one other clear effort.
The lead modified palms a number of occasions within the quick course, nevertheless it was second-to-last to go—Lauren Hough—who laid all of it on the road together with her up-and-coming associate, Clarisall Junior. “Actually, it was slightly little bit of a blip out right here within the education space. He misplaced a shoe and we needed to look ahead to the blacksmith to tack it again on,” she defined. “It wasn’t a traditional warm-up for him. As soon as we bought the shoe on, I jumped two jumps and went within the ring. I had a very good feeling from him at this time, however that is the primary day I actually pushed the envelope, and he responded fantastically.”
Hough used the scopey nine-year-old AES gelding’s huge stride to her benefit, noting, “His stride is large, so he actually made my job very straightforward. There was just one associated line; it was 9 to the double, then lengthy runs all over the place else. I simply picked up a great rhythm and took the primary distance I noticed.”
The pair stopped the clock in 39.75 seconds to safe the win and high honors.
Hough spoke extremely of the promising younger horse. “We bought him on the finish of final yr. I purchased him along with an excellent buddy of mine, Margeaux Conners, and I’ve simply taken my time with him,” she stated. World Equestrian Heart – Ocala has supplied an incredible surroundings for his growth, in response to Hough. “That is our fifth present right here this summer time. I began him within the nationwide grands prix, and he’s been tremendous, tremendous constant. He was second in final week’s qualifier and was double clear and fifth in final Saturday’s grand prix. He has been unbelievable.”
She additionally praised the venue’s facilities, particularly throughout the peak of summer time. “I’m so impressed. A couple of of us have been simply speaking; it’s so sizzling everywhere in the Northeast proper now, and that is actually the very best place you might be as a result of you will get out of the warmth along with your horses. They don’t miss something right here. It’s nearly as good a facility as you will get.”
Second place went to final week’s Grand Prix Qualifier winner, Sharn Wordley (NZL), this time driving Della Wordley’s 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding Brin D’or De Haute Melen Z (Bamako De Muze x Baloubet Du Rouet), who completed with a fast, clear time of 41.78 seconds.
Juan Bancalari (DOM) and Blythe Karolyi (USA) tied for third. Banclari rode a 10-year-old Selle Francais mare Fraxinus Des Coeuries (Salto De L’isle x Carthago), whereas Karolyi piloted a 14-year-old Zangersheide gelding Theo Duc T&L Z (Toulon x Nabab De Rêve). Each riders crossed the timers in 42.38 seconds to spherical out the rostrum.
$32,000 GGT Footing Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* Outcomes
Discover the each day class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and ultimate outcomes on HorseShowing.com. For real-time scoring, try Ryegate.Dwell.
Photographs courtesy of Andrew Ryback Images.Movies obtainable at ClipMyHorse.TV
