Z-horses colour the podium at Ocala's CSI4* GP

It was another busy day on US soil last weekend, with no fewer than three venues hosting major international competitions. This included the fantastic World Equestrian Center of Ocala, where there was jumping at four-star level. The absolute highlight of the weekend there was of course the CSI4* GP on Saturday evening and with two Zangersheide horses on the GP podium, it became another particularly fruitful evening for our blue and yellow colours.

One of the combinations that managed to reach the podium was Brazilian rider Rodrigo Pessoa with the 10-year-old mare Dhalida, a daughter of Diamant de Semilly and Calvaro Z, who was born as Dhalida Diamond Vd Krekebeke Z to breeders Robrecht and Patricia Segaert. Pessoa and Dhalida had already jumped into the limelight on Thursday with a ^5th place in the 1.50m class and were one of the 6 combinations at the CSI4* GP that managed to secure a place in the jump-off. As the^2nd combination to start, the former Olympic Champion and Dhalida once again managed to ensure a flawless round and their finishing time of 42.32 seconds also earned them^2nd place in the standings.

Rodrigo Pessoa: "It is difficult to really ride full speed when you have to start so early in the jump-off. I did know that when I came out, I had put something down. However, Andre (Thieme) and his mare have a lot of experience, so they saw an opportunity and took it. But I couldn't be more satisfied with my mare."

However, ^3rd place at this CSI4* GP was also taken by a Zangersheide horse and that was taken care of by Canadian rider Tiffany Foster with the also 10-year-old chestnut mare Electrique, a daughter of Emerald van 't Ruytershof and Voltaire who was bred by Spiessens & Co BVBA and named Electrique van het Cauterhof Z at birth. Foster and Electrique also managed to ensure a clear jump-off, crossing the finish line in 42.65 seconds. Foster and Electrique had also performed particularly well the previous days. They started their competition on Wednesday with a ^3rd place in the 1.40m class, while a day later they managed to score an ^8th place in the 1.50m class.

Also qualifying for the jump-off at the CSI4* GP were Foster's compatriot Sean Jobin and the 12-year-old grey gelding Coquelicot vh Heuvelland Z, a son of Catoki and Cassini II, bred by Frans Nollet. In the jump-off, Jobin and Coquelicot vh Heuvelland Z again kept all the bars in the scoops and this performance earned them ^5th place in the standings. And for them too, this ^5th place was already the ^3rd ranking of the weekend after they came^2nd in the 1.40m class on Wednesday during the opening day and ^3rd in the 1.50m class on Thursday.

Furthermore, New Zealand rider Sharn Wordley also managed to place twice with the 10-year-old gelding Brin d'Or de Haute Melen Z, a son of Bamako de Muze and Baloubet du Rouet born to Belgian breeder Georges Trulemans. Wordley and Brin d'Or de Haute Melen Z jumped to a brilliant^2nd place in the 1.45m class on Wednesday and then managed to finish ^8th in the 1.45m class on Saturday.

Finally, there were also two top placings for Irish rider Conor O'Regan with the 11-year-old gelding Big Boy Z, a son of Big Star Jr K Z and Caridor bred in the Netherlands by A. van der Heijden. O'Reagan and Big Boy Z were good for ^3rd place in the standings during the 1.45m class on Wednesday and during the 1.45m class on Saturday they closed their competition with ^5th place.