40 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
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Four days of beautiful blue skies set the tone for
watching some of the best riders compete at the
Ocala Jockey Club’s 2017 International 3-Day Event,
that ran from November 16th through November
19th. Thanks to Pavla and Erik Nygaard owners of
the Ocala Jockey Club, they gave this years event
a more intimate feel. Which made spectators, competitors,
owners and trainers really feel apart of the
event. The Club House was open to patrons, the Vendor
Village showcased some great shopping sprinkled
with new companies promoting their product
for horse and rider. Retired Racehorse Project was
there giving demonstrations and taking donations by
raffling off a 1989 Silver Spur Rolls Royce. Ocala Farm
Ministry promoted their mission by hosting the Family
Fall Festival area where kids were able to enjoy face
painting, horse themed games, bounce houses, and
arts and crafts. On Friday the Clubhouse held Ladies
Day Celebration honoring those that stand out in a
sport where women and men compete on equal
grounds.
First two days of competition kicked off with
CCI1*, CCI2* and CIC3* Dressage. CCI2* rider Lauren
Kieffer riding D.A. Duras and Katherine Coleman
aboard Monte Classico had some very nice moments
during their dressage tests making them two
women to watch for the rest of the weekend. CCI1*
rider Leslie Law and QC First Class gave an exceptional
performance in dressage Ring 1 making them
another pair to pay close attention to. Competition
on Saturday was the start of CCI1*, CCI2* Cross
Country and CIC3* Show Jumping. Clean rounds in
the Show Jumping and fast times combined with difficult
obstacles throughout the Cross Country course
made for a very exciting day. Sunday being the last
day of competition made for a rather, hold your
breath feel as the margins in the CCI1*, CCI2* Show
Jumping and CIC3* Cross Country were closing the
gap on competitors. By end of day the results were
in making it a landslide with women taking top place
finishes for all CCI1*, CCI2* and CIC3*. Alexandra
Knowles CCI1* rider and Business Class placed First
with a Final Score of 40.20. CCI2* rider Lauren Kieffer
riding D.A. Duras finished in First Place with a Final
Score of 37.10, and CIC3* rider Hannah Sue Burnett
riding Harbour Pilot wrapped up the event by placing
first in her division with a Final Score of 42.20.
Ocala Jockey Club
- Wrap Up!