The stands were packed for the highlight event of Week III of the 2025 Summer Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (USA): The CSI4* $185,000 Grand Prix. Twenty-five star-studded horse-and-rider combinations from 12 nations battled it out for the lion’s share of the prize money, but the track proved to be quite the challenge. Only five pairs made it to the jump-off, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats. Ultimately, it was Jad Dana (LBN) who claimed his first four-star Grand Prix victory aboard The Itchy Group’s Itchcock Des Dames (Marius Claudius x Calvaro F.C.), galloping away with an unforgettable win.
World-renowned course designer Alan Wade (IRL) set a demanding track with a tight time allowed and delicate lines. Jad Dana reflected on the first-round course: “I was seventh to go and there was already one clear, so I figured there would definitely be more. The time allowed was right, and rails were falling all over the course. The triple combination was tough, and both in-and-outs were tricky.”
Of the five athletes who went clear, the lineup included Lauren Balcomb (AUS) on Verdini D’houtveld Z (Verdi TN x Caretino 2), Jad Dana on Itchcock Des Dames, Gabriel Matos Machado (BRA) on Legaland Sandro (Sandro Boy x Clinton), Tanner Korotkin (USA) on Kinmar Quality Hero (O.B.O.S Quality 004 x Magician Hero) and Luis Pedro Biraben (ARG) on Vasco 109 (Vigo D’Arsouilles x Clarimo).
Lauren Balcomb and Verdini D’houtveld Z were first to return, fresh off their Thursday victory in the CSI4* $63,000 Florida Coast Equipment Grand Prix Qualifier. Balcomb and the 14-year-old Zangersheide gelding kept up their momentum but had one unlucky rail, stopping the clock in a quick 41.40 seconds.
Jad Dana followed aboard Itchcock Des Dames and has been diligently working on the gelding’s speed. “At first, he was different from what I am used to. I usually ride smaller, quicker horses, and he’s a bit bigger and slower, but he’s learned to be really fast. He’s come into his own and tries so hard.”
From the start of the tone, Dana and Itchcock Des Dames kicked into gear. They flew over the first jump but had a bit of a stumble, forcing Dana to adjust his plan on the fly. “He recovered quickly, and we kept going, but I had to change my plan. I thought I lost time there, so I knew I had to make it up. Coming into the last line, it was a tight turn to a vertical. Most would do nine strides, but there was an option to do eight if you had a big stride. I caught the eight and kept kicking on. I told myself I really want this today, and I gave it everything I had.”
Stopping the clock in a blazing 39.56 seconds, Dana and Itchcock Des Dames catapulted to the top of the leaderboard with a time that couldn’t be caught. “I can’t believe it! It feels great, it really does. I don’t want to say I didn’t expect it, but I didn’t think I was going to win, so now that I won, I’m extremely happy,” expressed Dana.
Luis Pedro Biraben and his own 10-year-old Warmblood gelding, Vasco 109 were hot on Dana’s heels but couldn’t quite catch the time. They stopped the clock in 40.18 seconds to secure second place. Third went to Gabriel Matos Machado and Bay Winds Equestrian LLC’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Legaland Sandro with the only other clear jump-off round in 41.16 seconds.
