The Grand Prix Qualifier CSI4* took center stage Thursday morning during Week VIII of the 2025 Winter Spectacular Show Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. A competitive field of 30 horse-and-rider combinations representing 10 nations battled for top honors, but it was Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Stone Hill Farm’s Naomi Van Het Keizershof (Cardento 933 x For Pleasure) who emerged victorious.
Course designer Colm Quinn (IRL) set a winding track that saw 11 pairs advance to the jump-off, with only five delivering double-clear performances.
Springsteen was the first to set the standard, piloting the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare to a clear jump-off round in 37.55 seconds. “I wanted to do one less stride in the first line, but I chickened out,” she laughed. “So I tried to make it up the rest of the way around, but she’s so fast on her own, so I can add strides if I need to. I’m really happy, though, because there were so many competitive riders in the jump-off, I wasn’t sure if it would be enough.”
Speaking about her long-standing partnership with Naomi Van Het Keizershof, Springsteen added, “I’ve had her since she was six years old, so I’ve had her for a while. We know each other really well, and she’s just been amazing recently. In the new year, she’s just been jumping clear after clear, and she’s so competitive and feeling confident.”
This week marks Springsteen’s first time at WEC – Ocala. “It’s amazing,” she said. “I’ve been hearing about it for so long, so I was excited to come. The horses are so happy here, and I’ll definitely be back.”
Sarah Segal (USA) and Boreale De Fondcombe (Tinka’s Boy x Calvaro), a 14-year-old Selle Français mare owned by Horatio Street Ventures LLC, made a strong bid for the win, stopping the clock at 38.00 seconds to finish second.
Richard Spooner (USA) secured third aboard Lyjanair (Lyjanero x Coriano), an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Show Jumping Syndications Int’l, with another double-clear effort in 38.26 seconds.
