Aaron Vale and Carissimo 25 Best the Rest in the $62,500 LeMieux Grand Prix Qualifier CSI4* at World Equestrian Center – Ocala
Ocala, FL – It was an evening of excitement at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) on Thursday, March 7, 2024, for the $62,500 LeMieux Grand Prix Qualifier CSI4*. From the impressive field of thirty horse-and-rider combinations representing 10 nations, it was hometown hero Aaron Vale (USA) who galloped to victory aboard Carissimo 25.
Gregory Bodo (FRA) and Pieter Vitse (BEL) designed the challenging course in the WEC Grand Arena, which saw 10 talented duos jump fault-free and advance to the jump-off. Fourth to return, Vale guided Carissimo 25, an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Cascadello x Clinton) owned by Debbie Smith, to a lightning-fast clear performance in 38.84 seconds. Ultimately, Vale could not be caught, claiming his second international win in as many weeks, having also won the $100,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix CSI3* during the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series Week IX.
Callie Schott (USA) and Garant, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding (Warrant x Verdi TN) owned by Southern Arches, LLC, came the closest to matching Vale’s time, stopping the clock in 39.87 seconds for second place. Canadian rider Sean Jobin completed the top three with Coquelicot vh Heuvelland Z, a 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Catoki x Cassini II), in 40.50 seconds.
“Down the road, to be number one in the world, I think I am going to have to find a few more strides to take out,” laughed Vale. “Tonight was about the plan; we stuck to it, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.” Vale has been selected to represent the U.S. as part of the team for the Longines League of Nations™ taking place at WEC – Ocala on March 20-24, 2024, where he will compete for his nation on home turf.“I am really looking forward to it,” he expressed. “It was a lot of fun to compete in Abu Dhabi, and I think it will be even more fun here.”
$62,500 LeMieux Grand Prix Qualifier CSI4* Final Results:
1 CARISSIMO 25: 2013 Holsteiner gelding by Cascadello x Clinton
Aaron Vale (USA), Debbie Smith: 0/0/38.84
2 GARANT: 2011 KWPN gelding by Warrant x Verdi TN
Callie Schott (USA), Southern Arches, LLC: 0/0/39.87
3 COQUELICOT VH HEUVELLAND Z: 2012 Zangersheide gelding by Catoki x Cassini II
Sean Jobin (CAN), Foxridge Farms Stables: 0/0/40.50
4 CASTLE OJ: 2013 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Sligo Candy Boy x High Roller
Gabriela Reutter (CHI), Lumiere Horses Inc.: 0/0/40.68
5 DHALIDA: 2014 Zangersheide mare by Diamant De Semilly x Calvaro Z
Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), Artemis Equestrian Farm LLC: 0/4/39.79
6 TRUMAN: 2009 Selle Français gelding by Mylord Carthago*HN x Kolibri
Amy Millar (CAN), Millar Brooke Farm: 0/4/41.81
7 FARREL: 2010 KPWN gelding by Cardento 933 x Stakkato
Daniel Coyle (IRL), Ariel Grange: 0/4/42.32
8 ELECTRIQUE: 2014 Zangersheide mare by Emerald x Voltaire
Tiffany Foster (CAN), 5 Roosters: 0/9/56.37
9 PAULE S: 2014 Oldenburg gelding by Perigueux x Sir Shutterfly
Andre Thieme (GER), Andre Thieme: 0/RT
10 DSP CHAKARIA: 2010 German Sport Horse mare by Chap 47 x Askari 173
Andre Thieme (GER), Andre Thieme: 0/WD
11 BEN 431: 2011 Westphalian gelding by Sylvain x Quincy Jones
Lucy Davis (USA), Old Oak Group: 4/71.01
12 HH MEDARCO PS: 2014 Oldenburg gelding by Messenger x Darco
Quentin Judge (USA), Double H Farm + The Creel Family: 4/71.86
Aaron Vale (USA) won the $62,500 LeMieux Grand Prix Qualifier CSI4* at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Press release WEC Ocala
