Ocala, FL – The penultimate grand prix of the 2025 Summer season Sequence drew a packed home of spectators and exhibitors for the week’s important occasion: the $65,000 GGT Footing Grand Prix CSI2*. Thirty-three high horse-and-rider mixtures representing 17 nations got here able to compete, every aiming for a share of the prize cash. In the long run, it was Australia’s Lauren Balcomb who as soon as once more proved unbeatable aboard her longtime associate, Verdini D’houtveld Z (Verdi Tn x Caretino 2).
Catsy Cruz (USA), an FEI Stage III course designer, crafted fairly a difficult observe with a good time allowed. Solely 5 opponents managed clear rounds, setting the stage for an thrilling worldwide jump-off that includes athletes from Australia, Portugal, New Zealand, and Chile.
Australia’s David Cameron was the primary to return for the jump-off. He’s been on a powerful streak with Laura Sloey’s Beijing Ls La Silla, and the 17-year-old SLS stallion delivered once more, posting a fast time of 41.83 seconds.
Fellow Australian Lauren Balcomb adopted, already boasting a string of wins this summer time with the short and cautious Verdini D’houtveld Z. She entered the ring with a transparent sport plan and the boldness to execute it. “I knew my plan and I simply needed to keep on with it,” she defined. “Luis [Sabino Goncalves] was behind me, and I knew he was going to be very quick and attempt to pass over a pair extra strides, however I believed it was most likely going to be fairly dangerous to do this, so I simply did what I often do with him and hoped that it could repay.”
On the sound of the tone, Balcomb and the 14-year-old Zangersheide gelding kicked into gear. “From one to 2, I did six strides, then I did 10. Then six and 7. I rode off my eye to the mix, and did eight within the rollback and 10 to the final,” she recalled. “I believe I might’ve left one out to the final, however he was nice, I don’t assume I wanted to do something lower than what I did.”
Their precision paid off, as they stopped the clock in a blazing 38.45 seconds to take over the lead—and finally, the win.
Although compact in dimension, Verdini D’houtveld Z greater than makes up for it with coronary heart and grit. “He has a lot energy and agility. It takes numerous sticky spray and conserving my chin as much as keep on him,” Balcomb joked. “It’s humorous, when you’re within the ring, it’s a lot simpler to journey him as a result of he has a lot blood. He is aware of when it’s sport time. He is aware of from the time I get within the warm-up whether or not he’s exhibiting or not. He’s so seasoned now—he is aware of his job, and he loves it quite a bit. He’s subsequent degree, actually.”
Balcomb’s associate, Sharn Wordley (NZL), was the one different rider to put up a transparent jump-off spherical. Aboard Della Wordley’s Brin D’or De Haute Melen Z (Bamako De Muze x Baloubet Du Rouet), he turned in a time of 42.78 seconds to spherical out the rostrum.
After the award ceremony, Balcomb was greeted on the high of the ramp to the WEC Grand Area by a bunch of younger followers, a second she says is likely one of the most significant elements of the game. “Once you see all of the younger women and boys, and they’re coming as much as you, telling you the way you probably did and telling you about their rounds, their week competing—it’s so good to speak with them and have that assist,” she stated. “You actually do see numerous the identical folks right here every week, and so they actually are rooting so that you can win. It’s so particular for us as riders to have the assist of the group. It makes it that rather more enjoyable.”
$65,000 GGT Footing Grand Prix CSI2* Outcomes
Discover the every day class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and last outcomes on HorseShowing.com. For real-time scoring, try Ryegate.Stay.
Pictures courtesy of Andrew Ryback Pictures.Movies accessible at ClipMyHorse.TV
