It was a dazzling Sunday for fans of equestrian jumping as Germany's Andre Thieme galloped to victory on his "horse of a lifetime," DSP Chakaria, in the last qualifying leg for the North American League of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ at Ocala. And what a nail-biting finish it was! Eleven of the world's top jumping pairs cleared the tough track set by course designer Olaf Petersen of Germany, advanced to the jump-off, and battled it out for the top prize.
But it was Thieme who emerged victorious, posting an incredible time of 38.28 seconds in the final jump-off. With his brilliant strategy of opening up in the first and final lines and taking a more cautious approach in the technical parts in the middle, Thieme's grin showed how elated he was that his plan paid off.
Second place went to Maria Gabriela Brugal Gasso of the Dominican Republic, who put in a superb performance with J'Adore Flamenco, a huge placing that will put her on the map for future World Cup competitions. Santiago Lambre of Brazil took home the bronze medal, riding the phenomenal Chacco Blue II, who is blind in one eye, but helped him put the first double clear of the day on the leaderboard.
Jumping enthusiasts love the Live Oak venue at Ocala, and it was no different this weekend, with an enormous turnout for both fans and athletes. Chloe Reid, who is usually in the saddle for World Cup events, turned organizer for the family-hosted show, which was a massive success.
It was a tough track for the athletes, with a tricky wall and a triple combination that had to be spaced perfectly catching out some of the world's top jumping pairs, including Ireland's Daniel Coyle, who led the league on qualifying points heading into Sunday's event. But for those who made it to the jump-off, it was even more daunting, with two giant twists and a long gallop to the Longines beam at the finish.
But for Thieme, it was a day to remember, as he and his beloved Chakaria put on a spectacular show, thrilling the crowd with their speed and agility. "I'm just really, really, truly in love with that horse!" he gushed before heading to the prize-giving ceremony to accept his stunning Longines timepiece. "It's a very good feeling," he said of being able to trust his mount to put on the speed and still produce a clean round. "It was a very good day. It makes me happy and proud."
And Thieme wasn't the only one celebrating. Brugal Gasso, who put on a fantastic display, was thrilled to be awarded second place, while Lambre, riding the incredible Chacco Blue II, was ecstatic to take home the bronze medal.
It was a day of triumphs, disappointments, and nail-biting moments, but ultimately it was Thieme and Chakaria who emerged victorious, making it a day to remember for all equestrian jumping fans.
The sports timing for the event was taken care of by Longines, a renowned Swiss watchmaker that specializes in sports timing and has a long-standing relationship with equestrian sports. Longines' state-of-the-art timing equipment ensured accurate timing for all the events at the Live Oak International event, including the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ class.
Thieme's victory was a testament to his skill and determination, and the Longines timing system played a crucial role in ensuring a fair and accurate competition for all the riders. The Live Oak International event was a great success, and the organizers and participants alike look forward to next year's edition, where they can once again showcase their talent and passion for equestrian sports.
