The final featured event of the week took place in the WEC Grand Arena at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) early in the afternoon. Twenty-three horse-and-rider combinations closed out the week in the National Grand Prix over a demanding track designed by Catsy Cruz (USA) and Joe Carnicom (USA) that only saw three pairs move onto the jump-off: Sharn Wordley (NZL), Julie Welles (USA) and Jelmer Hoekstra (NED).
Wordley led the way aboard Della Wordley’s experienced 18-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Mick Jagger (Chacco-Blue x Acentora). The duo put the pressure on with an efficient clear effort in 37.327 seconds.
Welles followed with Greatfull (Congress 4 x Polly), a 15-year-old Westphalian mare owned by Cherry Knoll Farm Inc., to deliver the second double-clear effort of the class. Before the award ceremony, Welles noted how proud she was of the mighty mare.
“We’ve had her at Laura Kraut’s stables since she was six. She came from Stal Hendrix, and she’s just been a big personality in our barn for the past nine years,” Welles reflected. “Her owner, Margaret Dupray of Cherry Knoll Farm, along with Laura Kraut, have been very generous to let me keep riding her in her later years. If you put in 100%, she puts in 110%, and she’s just the most rewarding horse when everything goes to plan.”
The duo crossed the timers in 37.049 seconds to slide into the lead and move Wordley out of the top spot.
Final to contest, Hoekstra and his own eight-year-old Warmblood mare, Bellissima Dh Z (Bamako De Muze x Wouskarla), were just shy of the leading time in 37.081 seconds to move Wordley into third and secure the second place position.
Additionally, Welles shared her thoughts on the technical track laid out in the WEC Grand Arena. “Catsy [Cruz] always builds great tracks. I thought it walked really nice, but it was riding a bit more difficult than it walked, and the time allowed was tight. For me, I kind of always have to ride everything like a Table A speed, and it just happened to work in our favor!”
Based in Ocala for the winter circuit, Welles reflected on her time at WEC. “We have really enjoyed our winter here and have been embracing as much as we can. Myself and Carly McCutcheon based here. We both ride and work for Laura Kraut and Nick Skelton. There are so many options here. Everyone around the show is so friendly, accommodating, and tries to work with you. The place is just amazing.”
Hoekstra also snagged the Fastest Four-Faulter award riding Jalanne with a quick first round in 66.1 seconds with one rail down.
