World of Showjumping
World of ShowjumpingWorld of Showjumping
Menu

Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Jireh top the $117,000 Marine Corps Heritage Foundation Grand Prix qualifier CSI4*

Saturday, 01 February 2025
CSI4*/2* World Equestrian Center Ocala 2025

Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography. Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Jireh winning the $117,000 Marine Corps Heritage Foundation Grand Prix Qualifier CSI4*. Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography.

 

Press release from World Equestrian Center

 


 

A picture-perfect Florida day set the stage for the $117,000 Marine Corps Heritage Foundation Grand Prix Qualifier CSI4*, where 34 world-class combinations representing 11 nations vied for top honors. In the end, it was Kristen Vanderveen (USA) who clinched the win aboard Bull Run’s Jireh (Uriko x Colman) with a blistering fast jump-off performance.  

FEI Level IV course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) led the course design, working alongside FEI Level III course designer Peter Grant (CAN) to set a technical, yet fair track. Horses were jumping in top form and 18 combinations managed to navigate the first-round test successfully, earning a spot in what turned out to be one of the fastest jump-offs yet.  

Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography. Carlos Hank Guerreiro and H5 Porthos Maestro WH Z securing second place. Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography.

Alessandra Volpi (USA) and Glamour (Numero Uno x Iroko) were first to go and set a strong target of 39.30 seconds, holding the lead for much of the class. It wasn’t until Zoe Conter (BEL) and La Una (Chacco-Blue x For Pleasure) took to the ring and shaved off crucial fractions to stop the clock at 39.09 seconds.  

It seemed Conter might have secured the win until her fiancé, Carlos Hank Guerreiro (MEX), and H5 Porthos Maestro WH Z (Picasso Z x Ogano Sitte) stormed around the course in 38.52 seconds, sliding into the top position.  

Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography. Zoe Conter and La Una flying to third place. Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography.

The class wasn’t over yet; Kristen Vanderveen and the 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding Bull Run’s Jireh stepped into the ring determined to go all the way. “I tried not to watch too much because I knew it was going to be fast, and it’s always fast here,” Vanderveen said. “One-two, I was quite slick, and he turned really well off that left rollback to the combination. I thought he ran over the plank pretty well—he’s really careful, so I could go fast there. Then he had a huge stride to the oxer and in the last line. I don’t think many people got seven [strides], and I got seven done slow. He knows the game.” 

Stopping the clock in a blazing 37.73 seconds, Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Jireh secured a well-earned victory.  

Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography. Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Jireh accepting their first place awards. Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography.

Reflecting on her journey with the talented gelding, Vanderveen shared, “I got him when he was seven, and it’s been a nice, slow progression. I’ve always felt he’s the nicest horse I’ve ever ridden, so I’ve been careful to do things right and not rush him. But honestly, he’s like a lion—he’s never backed down or gotten worried about anything I’ve asked of him. I think we’ve built all the right building blocks to get him here, and now he’s really confident at this level.”  

 



This photo has been added to your cart !

Your shopping cart »
This website is using cookies for statistics, site optimization and retargeting purposes. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website. Read more here.