The penultimate grand prix of the 2025 World Equestrian Center (WEC) Summer Series on Ocala, Florida drew a packed house of spectators and exhibitors for the week’s main event: the $65,000 GGT Footing Grand Prix CSI2*. Thirty-three top horse-and-rider combinations representing 17 nations came ready to compete, each aiming for a share of the prize money. In the end, it was Australia’s Lauren Balcomb who once again proved unbeatable aboard her longtime partner, Verdini D’houtveld Z (Verdi Tn x Caretino 2).
Catsy Cruz (USA), an FEI Level III course designer, crafted quite a challenging track with a tight time allowed. Only five competitors managed clear rounds, setting the stage for an exciting international jump-off featuring athletes from Australia, Portugal, New Zealand, and Chile.
Australia’s David Cameron was the first to return for the jump-off. He’s been on a strong streak with Laura Sloey’s Beijing Ls La Silla, and the 17-year-old SLS stallion delivered again, posting a quick time of 41.83 seconds.
Fellow Australian Lauren Balcomb followed, already boasting a string of wins this summer with the quick and careful Verdini D’houtveld Z. She entered the ring with a clear game plan and the confidence to execute it. “I knew my plan and I just had to stick to it,” she explained. “Luis [Sabino Goncalves] was behind me, and I knew he was going to be very fast and try to leave out a couple more strides, but I thought it was probably going to be pretty risky to do that, so I just did what I usually do with him and hoped that it would pay off.”
At the sound of the tone, Balcomb and the 14-year-old Zangersheide gelding kicked into gear. “From one to two, I did six strides, then I did 10. Then six and seven. I rode off my eye to the combination, and did eight in the rollback and 10 to the last,” she recalled. “I think I could’ve left one out to the last, but he was great, I don’t think I needed to do anything less than what I did.”
Their precision paid off, as they stopped the clock in a blazing 38.45 seconds to take over the lead — and ultimately, the win.
Though compact in size, Verdini D’houtveld Z more than makes up for it with heart and grit. “He has so much power and agility. It takes a lot of sticky spray and keeping my chin up to stay on him,” Balcomb joked. “It’s funny, once you’re in the ring, it’s so much easier to ride him because he has so much blood. He knows when it’s game time. He knows from the time I get in the warm-up whether he is showing or not. He’s so seasoned now—he knows his job, and he loves it a lot. He’s next level, really.”
Balcomb’s partner, Sharn Wordley (NZL), was the only other rider to post a clear jump-off round. Aboard Della Wordley’s Brin D’or De Haute Melen Z (Bamako De Muze x Baloubet Du Rouet), he turned in a time of 42.78 seconds to round out the podium.
After the award ceremony, Balcomb was greeted at the top of the ramp to the WEC Grand Arena by a group of young fans, a moment she says is one of the most meaningful parts of the sport. “When you see all the young girls and boys, and they are coming up to you, telling you how you did and telling you about their rounds, their week competing—it’s so nice to talk with them and have that support,” she said. “You really do see a lot of the same people here each week, and they really are rooting for you to win. It’s so special for us as riders to have the support of the crowd. It makes it that much more fun.”
A total of five Australian combinations contested the CSI2* Grand Prix. Maddison Stephen and Yalambi’s Ikon were the quickest of those with a single rail in the first round and finished seventh. Rowan Willis and Billy McDermit placed 17th on eight faults, while Maleah Lang McMahon and Central Park were 26th on 12 faults.
Full results can be found here.
Watch all the action via ClipMyHorse.TV here.
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
Source: World Equestrian Center – Ocala press release
