Stella Wasserman and Precious Dwerse Hagen flying to first. Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography.
Press release from World Equestrian Center - Ocala, edited by World of Showjumping
Forty horse-and-rider combinations representing 10 countries braved the rain on Sunday morning for the $65,000 4CYTE Grand Prix CSI2*. In the end, just four pairs advanced to the jump-off, where it was last to go, Stella Wasserman (USA), who piloted her own Precious Dwerse Hagen (Cornet Obolensky x Casall) to the win.
Mexico’s Anderson Lima once again set a demanding track for the strong field of competitors. Of the four combinations returning for the jump-off, only two managed to deliver double-clear efforts.
World no. 9 McLain Ward (USA) was the first to produce a clear jump-off round. Fresh off a victory earlier in the week in the $32,000 1.45m Winning Round CSI2*, Ward guided Ingrid Gjelsten’s 13-year-old KWPN gelding I Know (Arezzo VDL x Hors La Loi II) to a quick and fault-free effort, setting the pace in 39.21 seconds.
McLain Ward and I Know flying to the top of the standards to second place. Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography.
Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) gave it a strong go aboard Pine Hollow Farm’s 10-year-old Zangersheide mare Dalicia Devine Z (Diamant de Semilly x Levisto), finishing close behind Ward in 40.36 seconds, but a single rail kept her from advancing up the leaderboard.
Last to go, Wasserman came in ready to chase Ward’s time, who is also her trainer. “I always like to say I stick with my plan, and if that’s the winning plan that day, great. But I am highly competitive, and it’s always fun to beat McLain, so I had that in mind going in,” she laughed.
“The first line was a steady eight, so I put a bit of a bend in it. Then I sliced it pretty good and I didn’t count up the middle, and it came up perfectly. Then I did 10 to the next jump, which I was supposed to do nine, but she’s just as fast doing the add as doing one less. I didn’t count to the double, but I caught that nice. Then to the last line, I was supposed to do 10, but the nine showed up right there, and she was with me.”
Stella Wasserman and Precious Dwerse Hagen accepting their first-place awards presented by Jennifer Glass and Karla Campbell, alongside Havey Manion representing 4CYTE. Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography.
Wasserman and the 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare stopped the clock in 38.80 seconds, moving into the lead and securing the victory.
She praised her talented and speedy partner, saying, “I’ve had her for a little less than a year, but by far she is the most incredible horse I’ve ever had the pleasure of sitting on. I say jump, and she says how high. She’s spectacular. Her heart is unbeatable. That horse would jump through fire for me. To be able to jump any class, at any level, in any venue, and know that your horse will fight for you, that’s an invaluable thing.”
The 21-year-old athlete also credited the team behind the scenes. “I couldn’t do what I do without the team behind me. Nothing is possible without them, and I am just so grateful to be a part of it.”
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