Fifty-one equestrian athletes representing ten nations took center stage this evening to compete in the $50,000 Wheels Up Welcome Prix CSI3* over a track built by course designer Alan Wade of Ireland. Canada’s Jacqueline Steffens Daly delivered a thrilling performance as she and Freaky (Darco x Litho X) owned by Eye Candy Jumpers flew through the timers besting second place by more than three seconds to secure the top spot on the leaderboard.
Nine pairs representing Ireland, Canada, United States and Spain successfully navigated the first-round track to qualify for the jump-off.
Conor O’Regan (IRL) and Dynomite Ranch, LLC’s Mendini DR led the charge in the jump-off, setting the time to beat at 46.18 seconds. Sean Jobin (CAN) was quick to up the ante aboard his first mount Coquelicot VH Heuvelland Z (Catoki x Cassini II) owned by Foxridge Farms Stables with an even faster time of 45.08 seconds.
“I was lucky enough to have two rides tonight. ‘Coquelicot’ was jumping a bit high in the jump-off. He has been doing the three- and five-star competitions this past year and I feel like he’s still finding his footing. Tonight, I wanted to have a good smooth round and I feel like we accomplished that tonight,” shared Jobin.
Both Angela Covert (CAN) and Gonzalo Busca (ESP) put forth solid efforts, but fell victim to one rail each in the process.
Next was Chloe Reid (USA) and Team Reid LLC’s Crossover 4 (Cascadello x Chacco-blue). Reid and the ten-year-old Hanoverian gelding raced around the short course, leaving out strides to stop the clock at 44.28 seconds which took the lead.
Crossover 4 is a longtime partner for Reid, “I have had Crossover since he was six years old, and he is now ten. I know him like the back of my hand, we have done a lot together. We were able to compete at World Equestrian Center – Ocala two summers ago and again this past fall. So, he knows the arena well and always jumps super here.”
Reid’s lead didn’t last long, because Jaqueline Steffens Daly (CAN) entered the arena immediately following with Freaky. “I tweaked my plan after I watched Chloe do eight strides so nicely from one to two. I tentatively had nine planned, but watching the eight ride so well, I thought I better try to do that, and it actually showed up perfectly. Then I did seven down the middle and rode the final fence off my eye.”
Daly and the 13-year-old KWPN gelding flew through the finish clear in just 40.97 seconds to ultimately secure top honors.
Sean Jobin returned aboard his second mount Darius, but had an unlucky rail with a time of 43.13 seconds. Aaron Vale (USA) and Cristo Beech were quick in 41.97 seconds, but had one fence down.
Alexa Pessoa (USA) was the final contender of the night with Artemis Equestrian Farm, LLC’s Carlito Way 6. The pair delivered a steady clean round in 46.73 seconds to secure fifth place.
