OCALA, Fla.--Germany’s Richard Vogel won the $65,000 Grand Prix CSI2* on Sunday, March 22, the final day of competition at the League of Nations in Ocala.
Richie Vogel on Cardentos (Photo by Andrew Ryback)Eight went clean from the field of 27 to make the jump-off, where six went clean again.
Vogel was clean in 35.46 to win by over a second over Samantha Schaefer on James Bond HX, who finished n 36.96.
Nicola Philippaerts of Belgium on Rolex ter Leydonck was third in 37.27, with Eduardo de Menezes of Brazil on HS Kadco Hero Z fourth in 37.57, Beat Mandl of Switzerland on Pegasus fifth in 38.70, and Stephanie Maciera of Brazil on Kantella van't Merelsnest sixth in 39.84.
“It felt that we were still under control but he's a very speedy horse and he's game for it,” said Vogel. “He likes to be competitive and he’s super careful, so you don't really have to worry about a rail so much. You can put your main focus on getting good foot speed and turning a little bit tighter. It's a lot of fun with him.”
Vogel only began riding Cardentos earlier this season.
“CARDENTOS is a very exciting horse for us,” said Vogel, currently fourth in the Longines World Rider Rankings. “He was bred by the Witt family in Germany, and I've been lucky to sit in the saddle on his back for three months now. This is his second time up here in Ocala. He really likes this facility, and I feel he learns a lot here. Especially for the younger up-and-coming horses, they see a lot of different obstacles here, and we have a lot of rings where we can work the horses. He jumped all three days clear here this week. I couldn't be happier with him, and the way he performed in the jump-off today was a super finish.”
In addition to being a member of the victorious German team in the $770,000 Longines League of Nations,where he jumped double clean, Vogel also won and placed third in the $32,000 Winning Round CSI2* riding Quizas van’t Hulsbos and Cardentos, respectively.
During their first trip to WEC – Ocala in February, Vogel on Cardentos also won a $65,000 Grand Prix CSI2*.
