Spectators were treated to a thrilling class in Ocala Horse Properties Stadium on Thursday afternoon as 25 competitors tackled Mexico City, Mexico native Manuel Esparza’s 1.5 meter course of 15 jumping efforts.
First to go in the class was Lisa Goldman on her own Rocs to Riches. The chestnut had no trouble with the time allowed and started the class off with a clear round. Two rounds later, Flint, on the first of three mounts for the day, VDL Wittinger, jumped clean within the time allowed to ensure a jump-off.
Six more tried and failed to clear the first round course before Goldman returned on her second horse, Centurion B, and just a few trips later, Flint and her own Superbad went clean as well. Now in a head-to-head battle, Goldman and Flint each had two qualified for the jump-off.
An additional six more attempted with no avail until Schroeder and Catungee. The big-strided grey joined the elite field of those eligible for the jump-off. The class continued until the final rider, Dakota Schramer from Holmes Beach, Florida, navigated No Autographs Please to join the group of six to advance to the second round.
The field was set for the jump-off with Goldman returning first with Rocs to Riches. They sped through the course in 44.815 seconds, but with two rails for eight faults. Next up was Flint on VDL Wittinger, who jumped clean to take the lead in 48.201. The nail-bitting back and forth continued as Goldman entered once again but on Centurion B; they took over the lead with a clean round in 45.090.
Now it was Flint’s turn to attempt again with Superbad, but a rail for four faults in a time of 56.289 put them in third-place. The blue-ribbon, Schroeder came in next to wow the crowd by turning inside the gazebo in a tight rollback to the combination, saving ground to take over the lead in 44.060. The final rider, Dakota Schramer, fresh off a win in the Welcome Stake at the HITS Holiday Series. They came in with a plan, unfortunately, her horse was a bit surprised coming off the first turn and refused, dropping her to sixth place, and sealing the deal for Schroeder and Catungee.
“I’ve brought him along since he was six and this is our first Grand Prix win together; last year we were second seven times,” said an ecstatic Schroeder. “When Derek and I walked the course, the inside turn was right there and it was the only way for us to beat the time without running. [Catungee] always wants to win but we’ve never really put the pedal down, we are saving that for the Million—that’s the plan anyway.”