WELLINGTON, Fla.--Simon McCarthy of Ireland on Narcotique v/h Dingenshof won the $32,000, CSI3* Grand Prix Qualifier on Friday, Nov. 15 during the ESP Pre-Charity week at Florida’s Wellington International.
Simon MCarthy on Narcotique v/h Dingenshof (Photo by Sportfot)A large field of 16 horses made the jump-off over a course set by Hector Loyola of Puerto Rico.
McCarthy was almost two seconds faster then second nplaced Roberto Teran Tafur on Iron Maiden, winning with a clean round in 36.57 seconds while Tafur finished in 38.25.
Abigail McArdle on Olympia was third in 38.29 seconds.
“I've had the last fence down in jump-offs a few times lately, so I didn't make a crazy solid plan this time,” said McCarthy. “I wanted to be smooth, and I knew she was going to be quick. I trusted she was going to be careful, but I made myself stay patient and do eight strides to the last. I was proud of myself for that.”
Narcotique v/h Dingenshof is relatively new to McCarthy after joining his string in June to jump a summer tour in Europe.
“I WAS lucky enough to keep the ride on her for now and she's just been going from strength to strength,"said McCarthy. "I really like her."
“I can normally do one more stride than most and it doesn't make me much slower,” said McCarthy, 29. “Even though I take a lot of risk, if I need to be cautious somewhere, I can with her and still be fast enough. She's a real fighter in the ring and she loves to do her job.”
McCarthy plans to ride Narcotique in Sunday’s grand prix before competing the mare, along with his second top mount Gotcha, at the 1.50m Series during the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival.
Also in the International Ring on Friday, Ecuador’s Diego Javier Vivero Viteri was first and second in the $10,000, 1.40m Stake, riding Daddy’s Destiny to win and finishing second on Only You Z.
