Australian rider Lauren Balcomb and her horse Verdini D’houtveld Z claimed victory in the $120,000 CSI3* Ascent Aviation Grand Prix at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida. The duo set an unbeatable time in the jump-off amid a packed arena. Only four combinations advanced to the jump-off after a challenging first round.
The event, part of the WEC Ocala Winter Spectacular IV, drew a full house on Saturday night, with 27 top horse-and-rider pairs competing. A helicopter flyover by Ascent Aviation opened the evening, setting an exciting tone. FEI Level IV course designer Olaf Petersen of Germany crafted a demanding track that tested the competitors thoroughly, allowing just four clear first rounds to proceed to the jump-off. Replays are available on ClipMyHorse.TV, and full results can be found on the WEC site. Photos are courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography. Lauren Balcomb, riding her own 15-year-old Zangersheide gelding Verdini D’houtveld Z (by Verdi Tn x Caretino 2), went first in the jump-off. Despite the disadvantage of leading, she executed a precise plan. 'Most of the course was off your eye. So I just wanted to be as quick as I could everywhere, but not risk it and not take too much out of him,' Balcomb said. She detailed her strides: jumping straight to the first, planning 10 strides to the vertical, nine back to the orange vertical, and adjusting on the fly for the rest, finishing with a tight rollback and gallop to the last. Their time of 44.91 seconds proved unbeatable. Balcomb praised her longtime partner, calling him a family member and 'a once-in-a-lifetime horse.' 'He’s so cute. He’s like my pet and just the sweetest animal. He has so much heart,' she added. Charlotte Jacobs of the USA took second on North Star’s 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare Instrumental (by Qualdandro x Indoctro), also double-clear in 46.00 seconds. Third place went to Canada’s Sean Jobin on Antrim Equestrian’s 10-year-old Selle Français mare Grande Dame DK (by Ceira D’ick x Kannan), who clocked 46.93 seconds but lowered one rail. Jobin had won Thursday’s Grand Prix Qualifier. In addition to the prize money, Balcomb and her team received a round-trip helicopter charter from Ocala to Wellington, Florida, for up to six passengers, courtesy of Brigway and Ascent Aviation. 'I am so excited! This will be my first-ever helicopter ride,' Balcomb shared.
