OCALA, Fla.--Canada’s Jacqueline Steffens Daly on Freaky won the FEI sanctioned $50,000 Welcome Prix over 51 competitors at the World Equestrian Center on March 2.
Jacqueline Steffens Daly on Freaky (Photo by Andrew Ryback)Nine riders representing Ireland, Canada, United States and Spain were clean over the first-round course set by Alan Wade of Ireland to qualify for the jump-off.
Conor O’Regan of Ireland on Mendini DR, first to go in the jump-off, was clean, setting the time to beat at 46.18 seconds, finally finishing fourth.
Sean Jobin of Canada on his first mount Coquelicot VH Heuvelland Z was even faster, finishing in a time of 45.08 seconds, to ultimately place third.
“I was lucky enough to have two rides tonight," said Jobin. "Coquelicot was jumping a bit high in the jump-off. He has been doing the three- and five-star competitions this past year and I feel like he’s still finding his footing. Tonight, I wanted to have a good smooth round and I feel like we accomplished that tonight."
Both Angela Covert of Canada and Gonzalo Busca of Spain each had one rail down.
Next to go was Chloe Reid on Crossover 4, finishing clean in 44.28 seconds which took the lead, but eventually placed second,
“I HAVE had Crossover since he was 6 years old, and he is now10, I know him like the back of my hand, we have done a lot together," said Reid. "We were able to compete at World Equestrian Center – Ocala two summers ago and again this past fall. So, he knows the arena well and always jumps super here.”
Reid’s lead didn’t last long, as Daly went next on Freaky, finishing clean in 40.97 seconds to ultimately win.
“I tweaked my plan after I watched Chloe do eight strides so nicely from one to two," said Daly. "I tentatively had nine planned, but watching the eight ride so well, I thought I better try to do that, and it actually showed up perfectly. Then I did seven down the middle and rode the final fence off my eye.”
Jobin on his second mount Darius and Aaron Vale on Cristo Beech each has one rail down.
Alexa Pessoa was last to go on Carlito Way 6 and was clean in 46.73 seconds to place fifth.
