OCALA, Fla.--Aaron Vale on Prescott won the $100,000 Grand Prix CSI3* in an 11 horse jump-off over a course set by Catsy Cruz of Mexico at the World Equestrian Center on Saturday, March 2.
Aaron Vale on Prescott (Photo by Andrew Ryback)Anna Dryden on Gipsy Love set the initial pace in the jump-off, but Samantha Schaefer on James Bond HX finished in 41.33 seconds to take the lead and eventually place third.
Daniel Coyle of Ireland came close to winning with a fast round on Legacy, but he had a rail down, leaving the door open for Vale.
“I really shaped out to fence one, and got the six done easily in the turn," said Vale. "We caught that nice enough I was able to get eight down to the next oxer, and I think everybody else did nine. Then he actually grabbed a shoe landing, and I wasn’t sure what was happening, but for three or four strides he was scrambling. By the time everything cleared, the next oxer was going to be really long, but I had to win the class, so I took it. Then I was able to be patient to the combination, and after we landed that, I could just let his speed do the rest.”
With a time of 37.30 seconds, Vale ultimately had the win.
“I BOUGHT Prescott as a 4-year-old and he’s 12 years old now," said Vale. "He may have never been my best horse, but on a night, he can win a really fast class. The jump-off tonight really suited him, and we nailed it.”
Molly Ashe Cawley on Loukas De La Noue was second in a time of 39.96 seconds.
“Whenever I come here, I am always blown away by the crowd," said Ashe. "They are always into it, and they really have become educated about the sport,. I can’t thank the Roberts family enough for what they’ve done for our sport. They’ve really made an impact with this incredible facility, and I think there is nothing but amazing things to come from it.”
