OCALA, Fla.--Aaron Vale on Adermie R won the $40,000 1.45m CSI3* Two Phase Special at the World Equestrian Center on March 3.
Aaron Vale on Adermie R (Photo by Andrew Ryback)Vale won in a nine horse jump-off from a starting field of 24 over a course set by Alan Wade of Ireland, finishing the jump-off in an uncatchable 31.94 seconds.
“Alan Wade is a world-class course designer, and he has been creating great courses all week,"said Vale. "The first phase let you jump around a bit and then the second phase had some fun elements. There was a hard inside turn from the Wheels Up jump to the fan vertical. It was hard to get inside to that smoothly, a lot of horses stopped or jumped a bit funny because it was a tough angle. I didn’t get there as smoothly as I wanted, but Adermie is quick footed enough that she kept it up. Then I found the rest forward and to my advantage Adermie is the type of horse the faster you go the better she jumps.”
“It’s really nice that World Equestrian Center – Ocala is hosting FEI competition," said Vale. "This facility is incredible and can hold championship events. I am looking forward to more FEI shows here in the future.”
NICOLE WALKER of Canada placed second on Excellent B, just two tenths of a second off the winning time in 32.20 seconds.
Santiago Lambre of Brazil on J’Adore Van Het Klinkhof was third in 33.02 seconds, and Walker was also fourth on her other mount, Atout Des Trambles.
In other competitions, Samantha Schaefer on James Bond HX won the $150,000 Grand Prix CSI3* at WEC – Ocala.
“James Bond is such an incredible horse and keeps proving himself more and more," said Schaefer. "His mother Trezebees was the horse that really got me into the jumpers and got me to a level that I’d never competed at before. It just makes him that more special to me, and I know our partnership was meant to be.”
McKayla Langmeier on Bahira S won the $50,000 National Grand Prix.
“I have had Bahira for about three years now," said Langmeier. "She’s a really hot mare that gets quite strong. By the end of the course we are rolling, so with her I have to think a little bit toward the end especially if I am going clear.”
