The $32,000 Dover Saddlery Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* opened feature competition in the WEC Grand Arena on Friday during week VIII of the 2026 Winter Spectacular Show Series. After a thrilling 14-horse jump-off, it was Aaron Vale (USA) who proved untouchable aboard Thinkslikeahorse’s Chutter du Rouet PS (Chacoon Blue x Sir Shutterfly), galloping away with the top prize.
Colm Quinn (IRL) set a technical first-round track that saw horses jumping in top form. Fifteen combinations qualified for the jump-off, with one athlete electing to save their mount for another day.
Pablo Barrios (VEN) was the first to deliver a clear round in the jump-off with Don d'Alme C Z (Don Diablo x Contact van de Heffinck), stopping the clock in 38.19 seconds. His time was quickly overtaken by Simon McCarthy (IRL), who piloted Liston Johnson’s 13-year-old KWPN gelding Igor GPH (Harley x Crawford 5) to a blazing 37.17 seconds to take command of the leaderboard.
That mark held until Vale entered the arena with the 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding, who, according to Vale, has been knocking on the door of a big win. “We’ve had some near misses here,” Vale shared. “We got him about a year ago. Mallory showed him a bit. I’ve shown him a bit. He’s 10, but he’s quite inexperienced for his age.”
Unlike many of Vale’s mounts, Chutter du Rouet PS allows him to rely on instinct rather than stride counting. “I’ll sit there and count the strides on most of them, but you really don’t have to on him. You just go. Even his short strides are quick. I made a really nice turn back to the second-to-last fence that was pretty snug. A couple tried a little more and got punished with a rail. I did just the right amount to get it done.”
The pair blazed through the timers in 36.28 seconds to take over the lead.
Vale credits the gelding’s careful nature as one of his greatest strengths. “He never comes out and just has a rail. If he does, it’s usually rider error. He’s careful every time he steps in the ring.”
Looking ahead, Vale plans to give the talented gelding a light schedule as they build experience. “He’ll take next week off and then jump the three-star in a couple of weeks. The goal is to get him the experience he needs without over-showing him and to keep him fresh.”
Third from last to return, Sean Jobin (CAN) came closest to catching Vale. Riding Antrim Equestrian’s 10-year-old Selle Français mare Grande Dame DK (Ceira D’Ick x Kannan), Jobin stopped the clock in 36.68 seconds to secure second place, moving McCarthy into third.
