Guilherme Jorge (BRA) laid down one final track for forty-five two-start athletes. From the initial field, six returned for a tie-breaking jump-off. Jobs recently returned to the competition arena and rode 12-year-old gelding, High Point VDL, to their first win together as a team.
“He's a horse I actually got a couple years back from Enda Carroll and Stephanie Carroll from Ashford Farm and he's been amazing,” said Jobs. “I took a couple years away from the sport and would just come back for a few shows here and there throughout the year. I slowly but surely built a really special partnership with him and it’s been amazing.”
Their partnership peaked as the pair jumped double clear, crossing the short course finish line in 41.19 seconds. “He's rideable and he's got such great natural balance. He's a naturally very careful horse and today it was good enough,” continued Jobs.
Following on the podium was Callie Schott (USA) and Fair Field (VDL Zirocco Blue x Chin Chin), owned by Southern Arches, LLC. The pair finished double clear in a time of 42.67 seconds. Closing out the podium was Jessica Mendoza (GBR) and her own Chuck Bass (Centadel x Kannan), with a close finishing time of 42.79 seconds.
“I started this season on a blank canvas just seeing how the horses were and how I was feeling, and as the weeks have gone on I've gotten a lot more into it myself,” said Jobs. “The horses are going great, my team's amazing at home and they've done such a wonderful job of keeping them that way. For the foreseeable future I plan on coming back.”
Jobs and High Point VDL will continue their time in Wellington with plans of returning to the arena for the ESP Spring Series at Wellington International.
Closing the International Arena action for the WEF 2024 season was the BluCreeq Spirits 1.50m National Grand Prix. Taking the win was Eduardo De Menezes (BRA) and H5 Elvaro, owned by H5 Sport Horses. The pair jumped double-clear in a time of 35.118 seconds, taking home the blue.
Earning the second spot was Diego Perez Bilbao (ESP) and Cenmietta PS, owned by Mclain Ward, Beechwood Stables, & Susan Heller, finishing the short course in 35.443 seconds. Closing out the podium was Juan Ortiz (VEN) and Vintage, owned by Blue Trim LLC, jumping to a clear 37.11 seconds.