Andre Thieme and Conacco Earn Sweet Success in the $200,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix

Andre Thieme (GER) rode his own Conacco to the top prize in the $200,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix at World Equestrian Center – Ocala on Saturday, March 26, 2022, during the Winter Spectacular XII show. A field of fifty-seven athletes representing 12 different countries competed for the top spot under the lights in the WEC Grand Arena. Bobby Murphy (USA) designed a technical first round where 12 riders went clear to advance to the jump-off. Thieme and the 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding were the final pair to return for the jump-off and stopped the clock at 42.368 seconds to claim the victory.

“I have done two grands prix here this season with the same horse, knowing that I wanted to do this class,” explained Thieme. “When I first showed him in this arena, he was very impressed by it all, so I knew what I was coming into tonight. I had the privilege of going to the Olympics this past year, and I have to say, this is the only other place that I remember having a venue like the Olympics. The jumps, lights, décor and water features are all just so impressive. It is an incredible feeling to show here. I am beyond thrilled that my horse who is not that experienced yet, took it that well and did such an amazing job tonight.”

Molly Ashe (USA) piloted Louisburg Farm’s Berdien to second place in the class with a time of 44.231 seconds. Third place was awarded to Sharn Wordley (NZL) and his own Casper after the pair stopped the timers at 44.751 seconds.

Thank you to sponsors, exhibitors and guests for a wonderful 2022 Winter Spectacular Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala.

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$200,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix Results:

1. Conacco, Andre Thieme (GER), Andre Thieme: 0 | 0 | 42.368
2. Berdien, Molly Ashe (USA), Louisburg Farm: 0 | 0 | 44.231
3. Casper, Sharn Wordley (NZL), Sharn Wordley: 0 | 0 |  44.751
4. Cat Ninja, Jacqueline Steffens (CAN), Eye Candy Jumpers: 0 | 0 | 44.760
5. Quality FZ, Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), Artemis Equestrian Farm LLC: 0 | 0 | 44.977
6. Sovereign, Lisa Goldman-Smolen (USA), Barbara Disko: 0 | 0 | 45.767
7. Excellent B, Nicole Walker (CAN), Nicole Walker: 0 | 0 | 47.378
8. MTM Apple, Tracy Fenney (USA), MTM Farm: 0 | 4 | 42.118
9. Whoop De Doo, Will Simpson (USA), Coxe Horses LLC: 0 | 4 | 43.316
10. Quilimbo, Schuyler Riley (USA), E2 Show Jumpers: 0 | 4 | 51.740

Jordan Coyle and Variand Van de Tojopehoeve Z Win the $10,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix

Jordan Coyle and Elan Farm’s Variand Van de Tojopehoeve Z claimed the blue ribbon in the $10,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix on Saturday, March 26. The pair stopped the clock at 38.279 seconds to top the leaderboard. Second place honors went to Christian Coyle and C&C Willow, owned by Christian Coyle Show Stables, with a time of 38.612. Grant Seger and Fox Lair Performance, LLC’s Yoghi FLP finished in third after stopping the timers at 38.83 seconds.