Ireland’s Simon McCarthy opened the second week of the 2024 ESP Spring Series, presented by Florida Coast Equipment, on Thursday with a win in the $32,000 Florida Coast Equipment CIS3* 1.45m on the grass derby field at Equestrian Village, home of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival during the winter season. The Spring Series at Wellington International runs for five weeks as part of the ESP Annual Series and concludes on May 12.
For a field of 63 horses, Andy Christiansen Jr. (USA) set the two-phase course. McCarthy, 28, and Gotcha, owned by Rock Ridge Farms, topped the clock of the speed phase in 30.42 seconds, only fractions over the runner-up, Kelli Cruciotti-Vanderveen (USA) riding Forever SFN for owner Serenity Farm Show Stables, in 31.02 seconds. Third went to Grace Debney (GBR) riding Boheme de la Roque two one-hundredths slower than Cruciotti-Vanderveen in 31.04 seconds for owner Temple Equestrian, LLC.
“I knew I needed to get through the first phase and then go for it,” said McCarthy. “In the last couple of lines there was a leave out, which I didn't know if I was going to be able to do. When I was there, I kicked, closed my eyes and hoped I got there. And she was right with me, so I think that's what was the winning factor at the end.”
Gotcha, a 13-year-old Holsteiner mare (Stakkato x Cassini I), recently became McCarthy’s number-one FEI tap after his other mount, Athletix Hero Z, was sold to compete in the under 25 grand prix ranks. During the 2024 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) season in Wellington, Gotcha proved she was ready to rise to the occasion with seven top-five finishes in international competition.
“She's in great form; probably the best form she's ever been in,” said McCarthy. “She's given me more wins than any horse has ever given me, and we know each other unbelievably well. I was away for the last four days and today was the first time I'd ridden her since the middle of last week. That's a testament to my team that they're able to keep the horses happy and healthy and fit.”
McCarthy and his students at Rock Ridge Farm will move on from Wellington soon to split their time between Connecticut and New York this summer.
Earlier in the day, Mexico’s Filippo Marco Pignatti also rode to a win on the field with Ideaal ES, owned by Take The High Road, LLC, in the Bainbridge Companies CSI3* 1.40m. Up-and-coming talent also took to the turf on Thursday with Gustavo Cortes Xavier (USA) and youngster Felton II winning the Keyflow Feeds USA 7-Year-Old Young Jumper 1.30m for owner Elan Farm.
To view full results from Thursday at ESP Spring III, please click HERE.
John French Dominates Professional Hunters in International Arena
2023 USEF Equestrian of the Year, John French, was a force in the International Arena to highlight professional hunter competition on Thursday during week two of the 2024 ESP Spring Series, presented by Florida Coast Equipment. He piloted Royale AM to champion in the Greenberg Traurig 3;’6”/3’9” Green Hunter division and Crooner Brimbelles Z to top position in the All Paws Animal Hospital High Performance/3’6” Performance Hunters.
French of Wellington, FL, broke into the 90s with Royale AM, a 10-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Lasandos, owned by Robinson Ridge, LLC. Together they scored three wins and third over fences and finished third in the under saddle among Green Hunters.
The reserve champion tri-color in the Greenberg Traurig 3;’6”/3’9” Green Hunter division was awarded to Corino, owned by Victoria Chaconas. Jacob Pope of Columbia, MD, piloted the gelding with a win in the under saddle highlighting their performances.
Later in the day, French went on to claim top call in the All Paws Animal Hospital High Performance/3’6” Performance Hunter riding Crooner Brimbelles Z, owned by Crooks Show Jumping. The nine-year-old Zangershiede gelding by Windows vh Costersveld scored two wins and two reserve finishes over fences as well as a second-place ribbon under saddle.
Continuing French and Pope’s head-to-head battle, Pope took reserve in the performance hunters as well. He rode Londarco owned by Emilio Mora, with two wins and the top score of the division with an 89.
Hunter competition continues during ESP Spring III as amateur and junior hunters take up the spotlight in the International Arena at Wellington International.
To view a complete list of hunter champions from ESP Spring III, please click HERE.
