Press release from World Equestrian Center - Ocala, edited by World of Showjumping

Forty-four horse-and-rider combinations representing 11 nations vied for top honors in the $32,000 Budweiser CSI2* Grand Prix qualifier at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala (USA). Following a nail-biting, 16-horse jump-off, it was Molly Ashe Cawley (USA) who guided her longtime partner Berdien (Bustique x Querlybet Hero) to a meaningful victory in the mare’s first show back after a year away from competition.

Horses were jumping in top form over the tracks set by FEI Level III course designer Peter Grant (CAN). Of the 16 combinations that advanced to the jump-off after a fault-free first round, 12 delivered double-clear efforts, setting the stage for a true test of speed in the short course.

Lebanon’s Jad Dana was third to return and the first to set a notable pace, piloting the nine-year-old KWPN gelding Leonidas (Kannan x Negro) to a clear round in 38.81 seconds.

Several contenders attempted to catch the time, but it was Samuel Parot (CHI) who upped the ante. Riding Eduardo Sanchez Navarro’s 15-year-old KWPN gelding Gradje O (Cardento 933 x Voltaire), Parot stopped the clock in a quick 38.27 seconds to take over the lead.

With victory seemingly within reach, Cawley returned to the ring with Berdien and executed her plan to perfection. “I had a good gallop to one, and she turned right back, so I was able to cut across at number two. I hugged the gazebo as tight as I could and got a little stuffed at the wall, which made the seven ride up, which was nice. Then I didn’t get exactly what I wanted to the in of the in-and-out, but she tried her heart out, and I just ran home as fast as I could go,” said Cawley.

Cawley and the 15-year-old Zangersheide mare flew through the timers in 38.21 seconds to secure the top spot on the leaderboard.

The win marked a special milestone for the veteran partnership, as Berdien continues her return to form after injury. “This is her first show back in a year. She got injured around this time last year, and she’s getting her fitness back and feeling like her good old self,” expressed Cawley.

Having partnered with the mare since she was six, the connection is unmistakable. “We know each other like the back of our hand. She’s just the best horse, I can’t say enough good things about her. She always goes to win, she always wants to win, and she gives it her all every time out. It’s a pleasure to be her jockey.”

Cawley also delivered a strong performance earlier in the week, earning a podium finish in Thursday’s CSI4* Grand Prix qualifier aboard her newer partner Quimi del Maset. “I got ‘Quimi’ at the end of Florida last year. I think McLain’s last show with him was here at League of Nations™, and then we got him. My first show with him was Kentucky in the spring,” explained Cawley. “I really like him, he’s a super cool horse. We’ve taken a little time to get to know each other. He’s been really good for me, and I’m thrilled to have him to ride.”