Rowan Willis and Wellington Grey Goose Fly to Victory in $75,000 CaptiveOne Advisors Grand Prix
March 6, 2022 - 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
Rowan Willis (AUS) and his own Wellington Grey Goose secured the victory in the $75,000 CaptiveOne Advisors Grand Prix on Saturday, March 5, at World Equestrian Center – Ocala during the Winter Spectacular IX show. Catsy Cruz (MEX) designed an intricate first-round track for the 45 horse-and-rider combinations, and 12 competitors advanced to the jump-off. Willis and the 11-year-old Warmblood mare were the third pair to return for the jump-off and stopped the timers at 36.160 seconds to prove unbeatable.
“‘Goose’ is an incredible horse,” commented Willis. “I was lucky enough to have bred her as a foal in England. She was very difficult as a young horse. It has taken some time and a few amazing people to get her up to the level she is at now. She’s really paying off all those hard years put in and is now incredible.”
Not far behind Willis was Lauren Crooks (USA) and her own Louisana Van De Moortelshoeve who took home second place. Dorothy Douglas (USA) piloted Davenport Farm’s MTM Through The Looking Glass to a third-place finish.
$75,000 CaptiveOne Advisors Grand Prix Results:
1. Wellington Grey Goose, Rowan Willis (AUS), Rowan Willis: 0 | 0 | 36.160
2. Louisana Van De Moortelshoeve, Lauren Crooks (USA), Lauren Crooks: 0 | 0 | 37.873
3. MTM Through The Looking Glass, Dorothy Douglas (USA), Davenport Farm: 0 | 0 | 38.207
4. Chicago Hof Eversem Z, Cormac Hanley (IRL), Jared Wills: 0 | 0 | 40.094
5. Co Pilot, Chasen Scott Boggio (USA), Chasen Scott Boggio: 0 | 0 | 41.859
6. MTM Apple, Tracy Fenney (USA), MTM Farm: 0 | 4 | 36.522
7. Idalgo, Tom Foley (IRL), Tom Foley: 0 | 4 | 36.609
8. Locato Van Het Kapelhof, Christian Coyle (IRL), Christian Coyle: 0 | 4 | 38.399
9. Any, Kady Abrahamson (USA), Abrahamson Equestrian LLC: 0 | 4 | 38.578
10. Qinghai, Guido Klatte (GER), Guido Klatte International Horse Transport: 0 | 4 | 39.009
Rowan Willis and Copain Speed to Victory in the $10,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix
In his first major win of the week, Rowan Willis and Peter Moore’s Copain were uncatchable in the $10,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix. Out of a field of 29 horse-and-rider combinations, nine entries produced a fault-free first round, but only three competitors jumped double clear. Willis and the 11-year-old gelding went early in the order and held onto the lead throughout the remainder of the class. The pair flew through the timers at 37.062 seconds in the jump-off to top the leaderboard by an impressive two-second lead.
“I always like to take the shortest route, so we did every inside turn that was available,” explained Willis. “It felt easy for him. He covers the ground nicely, and he really tries.”
$10,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix Results:
1. Copain, Rowan Willis, Peter Moore: 0 | 0 | 37.062
2. Hickory HBC, Justine Dutton, The Superman Syndicate LLC: 0 | 0 | 39.081
3. Livius, Kali Jerman, Pam Talbot: 0 | 0 | 39.422
4. Chatinus, Richard Spooner, Show Jumping Syndications International: 0 | 4 | 35.482
5. Gerry’s Jewels, Damian Guthrie, Florence Hessen-Scher: 0 | 4 | 36.328
6. Geronimo SCF, Harold Chopping, Diane Halpin: 0 | 4 | 39.093
7. Deauville Van Overis Z, Elizabeth Phillips, Elizabeth Phillips: 0 | 4 | 43.168
8. Harmonie L, Sam Berry, Annette Bishop: 0 | 8 | 39.795
9. Con Spirit, Nathalie Petschenig, Nathalie Petschenig: 0 | 12 | 37.010
10. Gerderieka II VI, Harold Chopping, Rein Family LLC: 4 | 68.698
