Press release from World Equestrian Center

International competition began early this morning in the WEC Grand Arena with the $40,000 1.45m CSI3* Two Phase Special. World-renowned course designer Alan Wade of Ireland set the two-phase track for 24 elite athletes where nine pairs found fault-free rounds. Aaron Vale (USA) secured his second victory of the week with Lori Osterstock’s I Adermie R 4 (Den Ham Blue R x Namelus R) after the pair flew to the top of the leaderboard with an unbeatable time.

Vale entered the arena at the halfway mark aboard the ten-year-old KPWN mare. The skilled combination flew past the competition, finishing the speed portion in an uncatchable 31.94 seconds.

“Alan Wade is a world-class course designer, and he has been creating great courses all week. The first phase let you jump around a bit and then the second phase had some fun elements. There was a hard inside turn from the Wheels Up jump to the fan vertical. It was hard to get inside to that smoothly, a lot of horses stopped or jumped a bit funny because it was a tough angle. I didn’t get there as smoothly as I wanted, but Adermie is quick footed enough that she kept it up. Then I found the rest forward and to my advantage Adermie is the type of horse the faster you go the better she jumps,” told Vale.

“It’s really nice that World Equestrian Center – Ocala is hosting FEI competition. This facility is incredible and can hold championship events. I am looking forward to more FEI shows here in the future,” shared Vale.

Nicole Walker (CAN) secured second place honors aboard her own Excellent B. Walker and the 14-year-old KWPN gelding (Berlin x Heartbreaker) were just two tenths of a second shy of the winning time in 32.20 seconds. Walker also earned fourth place aboard her other mount Atout Des Trambles. Santiago Lambre (BRA) and his own 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare J’Adore Van Het Klinkhof (Thunder VD Zuuthoeve x Alcatraz) rounded out the top three with a time of 33.02 seconds.

1 I Adermie R 4: 2013 KWPN mare by Den Ham Blue R x Namelus R
Aaron Vale (USA), Lori Osterstock: 0 | 0 | 31.94

2 Excellent B: 2009 KWPN gelding by Berlin x Heartbreaker
Nicole Walker (CAN), Nicole Walker: 0 | 0 | 32.20

3 J’Adore Van Het Klinkhof: 2009 Belgian Warmblood mare by Thunder VD Zuuthoeve x Alcatraz
Santiago Lambre (BRA), Santiago Lambre: 0 | 0 | 33.02

4 Atout Des Trambles: 2010 Selle Francais gelding by Nectar Des Forets*hn x Apache D’adriers
Nicole Walker (CAN), Nicole Walker: 0 | 0 | 33.96

5 Langley HX: 2012 KWPN mare by Carambole x Burggraaf Nv
Alise V Oken (USA), High Hopes Farm, LLC: 0 | 0 | 34.53

6 Huzaar: 2012 KWPN gelding by Untouched x Skippy II
Richie Moloney (IRL), Equinimity, LLC: 0 | 0 | 36.12

7 Bull Run’s Risen: 2006 KWPN gelding by Utopie x Indoctro
Kristen Vanderveen (USA), Bull Run Jumpers, Inc.: 0 | 0 | 40.63

8 Luis P: 2009 Deutsches Sportpferd gelding by Böckmann’s Lord Pezi x Cheenook
Chloe Reid (USA), Live Oak Plantation: 0 | 0 | 41.36

9 Extravaganza Semilly: 2014 Selle Francais mare by Jarnac x Heartbreaker
Christian Coyle (IRL), Alexis Bodo: 1 | 0 | 35.18

10 Cat Ninja: 2008 KWPN mare by VDL Zirocco Blue x Corland
Jacqueline Steffens Daly (CAN), Eye Candy Jumpers: 0 | 4 | 32.93

11 Jiselle NS: 2014 mare by Balou Du Rouet x Voltaire Pref
McKayla Langmeier (USA), Linda Langmeier: 4 | 0 | 34.07

12 Speedy Jump: 2010 Oldenburg gelding by Stakkato Gold x Quidam’s Rubin
Sarah Segal (USA), Horatio Street Ventures, LLC: 0 | 4 | 34.77