press release
Jun 21, 20213 min
Aaron Vale and Major jumped to victory in the $75,000 Calluna Spa Grand Prix. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
The WEC Grand Arena hosted another night of thrilling competition on Saturday evening, June 19, for the $75,000 Calluna Spa Grand Prix. Aaron Vale (USA) and Major, owned by Don Stewart and Sleepy P Ranch LLC, led the victory gallop, besting 52 entries and 16 jump-off contenders. A familiar face in the WEC winner's circle, Vale of Williston, Florida, qualified all four of his entries for the jump-off and captured the fastest time riding Major, a 14-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding. Second place went to Rowan Willis (AUS) and Ashton Dakota while Vale also took third aboard Prescott.
Erin McCabe Clayton and Champs Élysées won their second $12,500 WEC – Ocala 3'6"-3'9" Hunter Derby of the season. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Erin McCabe Clayton and Champs Élysées came back strong to the WEC – Ocala Hunter Derby scene, claiming their second consecutive win in the $12,500 WEC – Ocala 3'6"-3'9" Hunter Derby. Clayton and the recently imported nine-year-old Selle Francais gelding owned by Bays and Greys, LLC, brought home a total score of 181 to take the win. “He gets better and better with each class," said Clayton. "I think he is going to be a legitimate Derby Finals horse.”
Timothy Maddrix and Cypress, owned by Missy Nolen, topped the $10,000 WEC Ocala 3’ Hunter Derby.
Jordan Petersen and Diamant's Legacy captured the $15,000 WEC – Ocala Welcome Prix win.
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Jordan Petersen (USA) topped 51 entries in the $15,000 WEC – Ocala Welcome Prix aboard Diamant's Legacy, a 12-year-old Oldenburg stallion owned by Derek Petersen. “He really likes that ring," Petersen said of her mount. "He won two grands prix during the winter circuit then a second place, third and fourth. He loves it, and I am glad that is where he will be spending most of his time."
Carlee McCutcheon and MTM Unexpected competed in the welcome prix and grand prix during Summer II. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Carlee McCutcheon of Aubrey, Texas, comes from a family of renowned horsemen. Her parents, Tom and Mandy McCutcheon, are two of the all-time leaders in the reining industry, and her older brother, Cade, competed at the FEI World Equestrian Games at the age of 18 in reining. Fifteen-year-old Carlee is creating a name for herself in the hunters, jumpers and equitation. With the help of her trainer, who is also her grandmother, Colleen McQuay, Carlee is taking the hunter/jumper world by storm. Read more about her riding career, current horses and goals.
World Equestrian Center offers hunter/jumper competition at both facilities this summer, so mark your calendars for upcoming events at WEC – Ocala and WEC – Wilmington.
June 23-27 - WEC – Ocala Summer III
June 30-July 4 - WEC – Ocala Summer IV
July 7-11 - WEC – Ocala Summer V
July 14-18 - WEC – Ocala Summer VI
July 14-18 - WEC – Wilmington Summer 1
July 21-25 - WEC – Ocala Summer VII
July 21-25 - WEC – Wilmington Summer 2
July 28-August 1 - WEC – Ocala Summer VIII
August 4-8 - WEC – Ocala Summer IX
August 11-15 - WEC – Ocala Summer X
August 11-15 - WEC – Wilmington Summer 3