Dreams Come True for Geronimo Marcello Viana Ciavaglia and HST Cartouche in the $250,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix
March 26, 2023 - Ocala, FL
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Geronimo Marcello Viana Ciavaglia (BRA) and HST Cartouche, owned by Arnoldo Wald Filho, secured victory in the $250,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix on Saturday, March 25, 2023, during the twelfth and final week of the Winter Spectacular Show Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala in Ocala, FL. Kevin Holowack (CAN), Bobby Murphy (USA), Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR) and Chris Barnard (USA) set an intricate track with several impressive jumps for the 42 horse-and-rider combinations representing 12 different nations in the class.
After a technical first round, five competitors representing New Zealand, Ireland, Brazil, Germany and the United States navigated a clear round to advance to the jump-off. In the end, Viana Ciavaglia and the 12-year-old Zangersheide stallion were uncatchable. The pair flew through the timers at 43.043 seconds to claim the top prize by over four seconds.
“I did six strides from [fence] one to two,” explained Viana Ciavaglia of his jump-off round. “I jumped the oxer going very forward and tried to pull to the double, but he resisted so we ended up getting nine strides. I put a super close distance to the vertical, and he jumped out. He was like a turbo and jumped it clean. I tried to do my best for the rest, but he did the job. To the very last [fence] I saw a very far distance, and he jumped clear. He’s an amazing horse.”
Second place was awarded to Sharn Wordley (NZL) aboard his own Bull Run’s Risen. The duo stopped the timers at 47.223 seconds. Andre Thieme (GER) rounded out the podium with his own Paule S after the pair stopped the clock at 43.583 seconds with one fence down.
$250,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix Results:
1. HST Cartouche, Geronimo Marcello Viana Ciavaglia (BRA), Arnoldo Wald Filho: 0 | 0 | 43.043
2. Bull Run’s Risen, Sharn Wordley (NZL), Sharn Wordley: 0 | 0 | 47.223
3. Paule S, Andre Thieme (GER), Andre Thieme: 0 | 4 | 43.583
4. Eve D’ouilly, Cian O’Connor (IRL), Nicole Walker: 0 | 4 | 48.661
5. MTM Pablo, Dorothy Douglas (USA), Davenport Farm: 0 | 8 | 44.476
6. Nabucco Z, Rene Tebbel (UKR), Gut Einhaus, LLC: 3 | 84.050
7. Wellington Grey Goose, Rowan Willis (AUS), Rowan Willis: 4 | 76.207
8. Vick Du Croisy, Luis Sabino Goncalves (POR), Sigma Stables LLC: 4 | 76.225
9. Cristo Beech, Aaron Vale (USA), Alise Carrico & Thinks Like A Horse: 4 | 76.659
10. Sovereign, Lisa Goldman-Smolen (USA), Barbara Disko: 4 | 77.035
William Simpson and Quentin VA Soar Past the Competition in the $15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix
William Simpson (USA) and Quentin VA, owned by Two Socks Farm LLC, were victorious in the $15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix on Saturday, March 25, 2023, in the WEC Grand Arena. The class consisted of 41 competitors who took on the technical track designed by Kevin Hollowack (CAN). A total of 18 horse-and-rider combinations managed a clear first round to qualify for the jump-off. Simpson and the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding navigated the first course with ease to advance to the jump-off. The pair raced through the timers at an unbeatable time of 28.017 seconds to top the podium.
“He felt right at home out there,” said Simpson of his mount. “I was looking at the other jumps that were already set to go for the grand prix tonight, and I was thinking how that is where he belongs. I love it when they have a special occasion like this weekend. The atmosphere here is always electric, and so much thought goes into the courses.”
Megan Wexler (USA) and Chronicle 4, owned by Golden Oaks Farm LLC, claimed second place with a time of 30.096 seconds. Nicole Walker (CAN) and her own Atout des Trambles secured third-place honors after stopping the timers at 30.111 seconds.
$15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix Results:
1. Quentin VA, William Simpson, Two Socks Farm LLC: 0 | 0 | 28.017
2. Chronicle 4, Megan Wexler, Golden Oaks Farm LLC: 0 | 0 | 30.096
3. Atout Des Trambles, Nicole Walker, Nicole Walker: 0 | 0 | 30.111
4. Kennedy Z, Ansgar Holtgers Jr, Gut Einhaus, LLC: 0 | 0 | 30.812
5. Cristiano Obolensky, Gonzalo Busca, Gonzalo Busca: 0 | 0 | 31.516
6. Matonge of Colors, Nicole Walker, Nicole Walker: 0 | 0 | 31.985
7. Jasper, Dani Gascoigne, York Story Limited: 0 | 0 | 33.229
8. WH Foxxy Cleopatra RC, Lynne Wachter, Beda Wachter: 0 | 0 | 33.279
9. Lahinch, Max Wachman, Coolmore Showjumping: 0 | 0 | 33.981
10. Geronimo SCF, Harold Chopping, Diane Halpin: 0 | 4 | 29.508