Course Designers for 2022 World Equestrian Center – Ocala Winter Spectacular Show Series Announced

The 2022 Winter Spectacular Show Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala in Ocala, Florida, will feature 12 weeks of National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA)-sanctioned hunter/jumper competition from January 5-March 27, 2022. WEC – Ocala will welcome some of the world’s top course designers to set the jumper tracks in the Grand Arena, including Bernardo Cabral (POR), Catsy Cruz (MEX), Manuel Esparza (MEX), Peter Grant (CAN), Florencio Hernandez (MEX), Anderson Lima (BRA), Bobby Murphy (USA), Leopoldo Palacios (VEN), Colm Quinn (IRL), and Alan Wade (IRL).

The course designer for weeks 1 and 6, Bobby Murphy is known as one of the most inventive and creative designers in North America. More of a “course architect,” his tracks feature intricate jump design that test horses and riders. He has showcased his talent at events such as the Rolex Central Park Horse Show, the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, the ASPCA Maclay National Championship and many shows at WEC.

During week 2, Manuel Esparza, an FEI Level 3 course designer, will set the tracks. Esparza has assisted with the courses at five Olympic Games including Atlanta, Georgia, in 1996; Sydney, Australia, in 2000; Athens, Greece, in 2004; Beijing, China, in 2008 and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016.

Anderson Lima, an FEI Level 3 course designer, will design during week 3 and week 12. He has experience working at the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; the South American Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil; Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Canada; multiple FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada; and events throughout North and South America.

Florencio Hernandez is also an FEI Level 3 designer and will be at WEC during week 4. He is a regular designer throughout the United States and 2022 marks his first time designing at the Winter Spectacular series.

Peter Grant is an internationally-recognized FEI Level 3 course designer who will take over course design duties in week 5. Grant is best known for being a part of the build team at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Canada, since 2004, where he has designed at four CSI5* tournaments. He has assisted at such championships as the 2007 and 2017 FEI Jumping World Cup™ Finals, the 2010 and 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games and at his first Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, this past summer.

Two-time Olympic Games course designer Leopoldo Palacios will set the tracks during week 7. An FEI Level 4 course designer, Palacios has designed at the biggest and best venues the world over including at the Sydney and Beijing Olympic Games. He is the resident course designer for the annual Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ tournament in Canada. Palacios was also the course designer for the 1997 FEI World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden; and the 1991 and 1995 Pan American Games in Havana, Cuba, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, respectively.

Making his Winter Spectacular debut, Colm Quinn is an FEI Level 2 designer who will take over course designing duties during week 8. An up-and-coming designer, Quinn was on the design team at the 2021 Bolesworth Young Horse Championships and assisted at the British Showjumping Indoor Championship Finals at Aintree.

Ana Catalina “Catsy” Cruz is a familiar face in course design in North America. She is a popular FEI Level 3 course designer who has designed at many of the top venues on the continent and will be at WEC for week 9.

In Week 10, Bernardo Cabral, a respected FEI Level 4 designer who assisted with courses at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and again at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Great Britain, will act as course designer. Cabral builds at venues around the world, including in Belgium, Canada, Great Britain, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

FEI Level 4 course designer Alan Wade will design the courses at WEC during week 11. He is highly respected by the world’s top riders and has designed courses at some of the most prestigious competitions and championships, including the 2017 FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Omaha, Nebraska; the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG) at Tryon, North Carolina; and the Palm Beach Masters CSI4*-W featuring the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™, as well as the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ in Wellington, Florida.

For more information on the 2022 Winter Spectacular Show Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala, and further information on weekly show officials, please visit wec.net or the Winter Spectacular Prize List here.

2022 Winter Spectacular Shows

Winter Spectacular I: January 5-9
Winter Spectacular II: January 12-16
Winter Spectacular III: January 19-23
Winter Spectacular IV: January 26-30
Winter Spectacular V: February 2-6
Winter Spectacular VI: February 9-13
Winter Spectacular VII: February 16-20
Winter Spectacular VIII: February 23-27
Winer Spectacular IX: March 2-6
Winter Spectacular X: March 9-13
Winter Spectacular XI: March 16-20
Winter Spectacular XII: March 23-27

Weekly Jumper Highlights include:

$75,000 Grand Prix
$20,000 Welcome Prix
$10,000 Futures Prix
$12,500 1.40m Jumper Classic
$15,000 1.45m Jumper Classic

Weekly Hunter Highlights include:

$20,000 WEC 3’6” – 3’9” Hunter Derby
$15,000 WEC Open 3’ Hunter Derby
$15,000 WEC Jr/Am 3’ Hunter Derby
$2,500 2’6” Non Pro Derby
$2,500 WEC Pony Hunter Derby

WEC Premier Equitation Championship:
Week VI of the World Equestrian Center – Ocala 2022 Winter Spectacular show series will feature the WEC Premier Equitation Championship, where junior riders will be competing for the WEC Premier Cup title. Click here for class specifications.

About National Snaffle Bit Association

The mission of the National Snaffle Bit Association Inc., is to grow the show horse community through various equine programs and events where every activity benefits horses, breeders, owners and exhibitors alike.

The purpose of the National Snaffle Bit Association is to define, promote and improve the quality of the show horse, to promote exhibits, events and contests in expositions and shows; to promote the training of pleasure and show horses, to promote interest in show horses among younger horsemen, and to use and encourage the use of the standard rules for holding and judging contests of the pleasure and show horse.

NSBA experienced a very successful beginning in 1983. Based on the interest and response throughout the entire country, the NSBA is projecting unprecedented growth figures in the number of participants, events available and award purses.
For membership, horse registration and more, visit nsba.com.

About World Equestrian Center

World Equestrian Center features two premier equestrian and multidisciplinary venues in Ocala, Florida, and Wilmington, Ohio.

These exclusive facilities comprise state-of-the-art arenas, expansive stadiums, versatile outdoor space, sporting fields and well-appointed exposition centers. An abundance of lodging options and luxury accommodations are conveniently located on-site, along with shopping and dining throughout each property.

Dedicated to offering great sport and fun in a family-friendly environment, World Equestrian Center promises an unparalleled experience for exhibitors, spectators, vendors, sponsors and retailers built on three core values: Quality. Class. Distinction.

Learn more at wec.net.

Media Contact:
Candace FitzGerald
candace.fitzgerald@wec.net
603-738-2788