OCALA, Fla.--Andre Thieme of Germany on DSP Chakana won the $200,000, CSI4* Grand Prix at the World Equestrian Center on Saturday, Andre Thieme onDSP Chakana (Photo by Andrew Ryback)
March 9 over Rodrigo Pessoa, Tiffany Foster and Callie Schott.

Gregory Bodo of France, course designer for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, with Pieter Viste of Belgium, set a formidable track with a tight time that had six clean to go on to the jump-off.

Hallie Grimes, 22, first to return on Karoline of Ballmore, had four faults in 44.99 seconds to eventually place sixth..

Next to go, seven-time Olympian Pessoa of Brazil on Dhalida was clean in a fast 42.32 seconds, putting pressure to the remaining field, but Thieme and his 14-year-old German Sport Horse mare took advantage of knowing the time to beat and was clean in 41.93 seconds.

“It’s hard to just leave it all out there when you’re early to go," said Pessoa. "I knew when I came out, I had left a little something on the table. Andre and his mare are really experienced, so they saw an opportunity and took it. But I couldn’t be more pleased with my mare.”

“I knew I didn’t want to be second, and I had a fast and experienced horse," said Thieme. "I saw Rodrigo go, and I couldn’t really tell how fast he was, but I could at least do the same tracks as he did and rely on my horse’s natural speed.”

 

THIEME said he was looking forward to the upcoming League of Nations Qualifier at WEC – Ocala on March 19-23.,

“We are in a little bit of a lucky situation because in Abu Dhabi, Germany won the first leg, so we are a little ahead," said Thieme. "But all of the teams are bringing their best and this is an Olympic year, so I think all of these riders really want to show themselves here, so there is no weakness allowed. I’ve been waiting for this venue to get an event like this. It’s incredible to compete here, and soon everyone will see it.”

Canada’s Foster on Electrique, clean in in 42.65 seconds was third, and Schott on Garant, just off a good performance in the Nations Cup in Abu Dhabi, was fourth, clean in 43.24.

Canada's Sean Jobin on Coquelicot VH Heuvelland was fifth, clean in 44.64.

Foster is looking forward to representing Canada in the five-star competition during the grand finale of the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series,

“Whenever I see a big show here, I put it on my calendar," said Foster. "I am coming as an individual riding for Canada in the five-star competition. I know this place is going to put on a spectacular show, and I know there are a lot of stars coming from around the world for it, so I don’t want to miss it and I am excited to be a part of it.”

This was Thieme's second victory on the same day, having won the grand prix at HITS Saturday morning.