ANDRE THIEME RIDES TO VICTORY IN THE CSI 4*-W $222,600 LONGINES FEI JUMPING WORLD CUP™ OCALA PRESENTED BY LUGANO DIAMONDS AT LIVE OAK INTERNATIONAL
Ocala, Fla. (March 19, 2023) – Live Oak International hosted an exciting and talented field with top riders from around the world on Sunday where Andre Thieme and DSP Chakaria won today’s CSI 4*-W $222,600 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala presented by Lugano Diamonds with a jump off winning time of 38.28 seconds.
Today’s class was the final qualifier before the Longines FEI World Cup Final in Omaha. Of the 38 starters, 11 went clear to challenge for the win over the course designed by Olaf Petersen Jr.
“My plan today was to try to win, my friend watched the first five riders go in the jump off, and then he came out to me in the schooling area and recommend that I do nine strides in the first line and six strides in the second line, then turn as short as you can to the next jump, be careful through the combination, then turn as short as you can to the plank jump, and then put the foot on the gas to the last jump. That was the plan and it worked exactly the way he told me it would.” Said Andrew Thieme. “I am extremely happy that the plan worked out perfectly, and its thanks to my friend. I am truly in love with my horse because she is the horse of my lifetime, there is no question about it. She is so different and is better than every other horse I have had. She has given me so much joy and success. I cannot say enough about her.”
Taking home second with a jump off time of 40.14 seconds in her first Longines World Cup Qualifier grand prix was Maria Gabriela Brugal Gasso. Maria was riding J’Adore Flamenco, an 11-year-old mare.
“My trainer was watching the first few go as I did not want to go into the jump off blindsided. I knew the pack ahead of me was already very competitive, and my horse is not naturally superfast but has a big stride so you can use this to your advantage in a big field like this,” said Maria Gabriela Brugal Gasso. “My plan was to give it my best shot today. This was my first World Cup Qualifier grand prix. I have big plans for my horse in the future, he is fantastic. I am trying to build him up for the pan am games at the end of the year.”
Santiago Lambre put in a solid effort aboard Chacco Blue II finishing third with a jump-off time of 40.86 seconds.
“I came to Live Oak International to try and qualify for the Longines FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha. I knew I had to finish in the top five today to qualify. When I went into the jump off, I planned to not go too fast and to be a bit conservative with the goal of being careful and going clean. In the end my plan worked, and I finished third. Finishing third qualifies me for the finals. I have a fantastic horse. It was a great day,” said Santiago Lambre.
The course was exciting to watch with some of Live Oak International’s famous jumps strategically placed on the grass field of perfection.
“We had a very strong field here today, the strongest in my four years course designing at Live Oak International. The riding here is top level. Today’s course was the most difficult qualifier I’ve designed in my opinion, and I was surprised with how easy it jumped with 11 horses making the jump off. I felt Andre did a really good job today and he has an amazing horse.” Said Olaf Petersen Jr.
In addition to Sunday’s competition results, there were four jumping specialty awards presented.
The $5,000 EPIC Insurance Group Leading Lady Rider Award was presented to Nicolette Hirt, who accumulated the highest number of points over the three days of show jumping competition.
The Anna Klose Leading Owner Award was presented to Johan Sebastian Gulliksen.
The $5,000 Leading Rider Award went to Andrew Thieme for posting consistent results throughout the competition.
For high-res photos of today, please visit HERE. For all of today’s results, visit HERE.
About Live Oak International
What began 32 years ago as a driving event in Ocala, Live Oak International has grown into a world-class equestrian event. Now run by co-Presidents Chester C Weber and his niece, Chloe D. Reid, the tournament is the only in the United States to offer both international combined driving and show jumping at the same competition. As one of Marion County’s largest spectator event, more than 15,000 spectators attend the four-day tournament to watch the competition by athletes from around the globe. In addition to the combined driving and show jumping competition, Live Oak International hosts many hospitality opportunities, and a flourishing vendor area available to the public. For more information, please visit www.liveoakinternational.com
For further information: Natasha Beynon – media@liveoakinternational.com – 416.262.8488
