Simon McCarthy & Gotcha © Sportfot

Ireland’s Simon McCarthy opened the second week of the 2024 ESP Spring Series, presented by Florida Coast Equipment, on Thursday with a win in the $32,000 Florida Coast Equipment CIS3* 1.45m on the grass derby field at Equestrian Village, home of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival during the winter season.

For a field of 63 horses, Andy Christiansen Jr. (USA) set the two-phase course. McCarthy, 28, and Gotcha, owned by Rock Ridge Farms, topped the clock of the speed phase in 30.42 seconds, only fractions over the runner-up, Kelli Cruciotti-Vanderveen (USA) riding Forever SFN for owner Serenity Farm Show Stables, in 31.02 seconds. Third went to Grace Debney (GBR) riding Boheme de la Roque, two one-hundredths slower than Cruciotti-Vanderveen in 31.04 seconds for owner Temple Equestrian, LLC.

“I knew I needed to get through the first phase and then go for it,” said McCarthy. “In the last couple of lines there was a leave out, which I didn’t know if I was going to be able to do. When I was there, I kicked, closed my eyes, and hoped I got there. And she was right with me, so I think that’s what was the winning factor at the end.”

John French Dominates Professional Hunters

2023 USEF Equestrian of the Year, John French, was a force in the International Arena to highlight professional hunter competition on Thursday during week two of the 2024 ESP Spring Series. He piloted Royale AM to champion in the Greenberg Traurig 3’6”/3’9” Green Hunter division and Crooner Brimbelles Z to top position in the All Paws Animal Hospital High Performance/3’6” Performance Hunters.

French of Wellington, FL broke into the 90s with Royale AM, a 10-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Lasandos, owned by Robinson Ridge, LLC. Together they scored three wins and third over fences and finished third in the under saddle among Green Hunters.

The reserve champion tri-color in the Greenberg Traurig 3’6”/3’9” Green Hunter division was awarded to Corino, owned by Victoria Chaconas. Jacob Pope of Columbia, MD piloted the gelding with a win in the under saddle highlighting their performances.

Later in the day, French went on to claim top call in the All Paws Animal Hospital High Performance/3’6” Performance Hunter riding Crooner Brimbelles Z, owned by Crooks Show Jumping. The nine-year-old Zangershiede gelding by Windows vh Costersveld scored two wins and two reserve finishes over fences as well as a second-place ribbon under saddle.

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