Ocala, Fla. – Mar. 18, 2018 – Concluding the final day of combined driving and show jumping competition at Live Oak International, crowds gathered to watch the last qualifying leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League. The beautiful Live Oak Plantation in Ocala, Florida hosted the $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Qualifier Grand Prix CSI3*-W, where Kristen Vanderveen rode Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili to victory, earning a spot in the 2018 Longines FEI World Cup™ Final in Paris, France in April.
Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili
The audience anxiously awaited a clear round as 24 horse-and-rider combinations contested Kelvin Bywater’s (GBR) difficult track. Sixteenth into the ring under a brief but heavy rain, Vanderveen completed a careful and quick round to the delight of the crowd to produce the first fault-free finish. Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili, owned by Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC, returned first for the jump-off delivering an unbeatable time of 45.93 seconds to capture the win by over seven seconds. Sunday’s victory secured Vanderveen a spot at World Cup finals as she climbed the rankings by ten spots. Vanderveen and the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion now look towards Paris where they will showcase their speed indoors.
Brianne Goutal-Marteau and Viva Colombia
A jump-off was guaranteed soon after when Brianne Goutal-Marteau entered the ring aboard Rose Hill Farm’s Viva Colombia to deliver a clear first round. Goutal and the 13-year-old Oldenburg mare completed the only other double-clear round in 52.99 seconds to earn second place.
Beat Mändli and Galan S
With many accolades to his name, Switzerland’s Beat Mändli was a favored contender. The two-time Olympic veteran has competed in eight World Cup Finals, winning the 2007 Final in Las Vegas and currently leads the North American League standings. He rode Grant Road Partners LLC’s 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, Galan S, to third place with 8 faults in 56.59 seconds during the tiebreaker.
Sunday’s event concluded the final qualifying competition of the North American League as the seventh leg of the Eastern Sub-League. The 2018 Longines FEI World Cup™ Final will take place in Paris, France from April 11-15.
View the original article on Phelps Sports.
