LEBANON’S JAD EL DANA GETS MORE BANG FOR HIS BUCK AT 'CSI4* $185,000 FLORIDA COAST EQUIPMENT' GRAND PRIX
The stands were packed for the highlight event of Week III of the 2025 Summer Series at World Equestrian Centre – Ocala: the $185,000 Florida Coast Equipment Grand Prix CSI4*. Twenty-five star-studded combinations from 12 different nations battled it out for the lion’s share of the prize money, but the course proved to be quite the challenge. Only five combinations made it to the jump-off, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats. Ultimately, it was Jad El Dana (LBN) who claimed his first four-star Grand Prix victory aboard ‘The Itchy Group’s’ Itchcock Des Dames (Marius Claudius x Calvaro F.C.), galloping away with an unforgettable win.
World-renowned course designer Alan Wade (IRL) set a demanding course with a tight time allowed and delicate lines. El Dana reflected on the first-round course: “I was seventh to go and there was already one clear, so I figured there would definitely be more. The time allowed was right, and rails were falling all over the course. The triple combination was tough, and both in-and-outs were tricky.”
Of the 5 athletes who went clear, the line-up included Lauren Balcomb (AUS), Jad El Dana, Gabriel Matos Machado (BRA), Tanner Korotkin (USA), and Luis Pedro Biraben (ARG).
Lauren Balcomb and Verdini D’houtveld Z were first to return, fresh off their Thursday victory in the $63,000 Florida Coast Equipment Grand Prix Qualifier CSI4*. Balcomb and the 14-year-old Zangersheide gelding kept up their momentum but had one unlucky rail, stopping the clock in a quick 41.40 seconds.
El Dana followed aboard Itchcock Des Dames and has been diligently working on the gelding’s speed. “At first, he was different from what I am used to. I usually ride smaller, quicker horses, and he’s a bit bigger and slower, but he’s learned to be really fast. He’s come into his own and tries so hard.”
From the start of the tone, El Dana and Itchcock Des Dames kicked into gear. They flew over the first jump but had a bit of a stumble, forcing Dana to adjust his plan on the fly. “He recovered quickly, and we kept going, but I had to change my plan. I thought I lost time there, so I knew I had to make it up. Coming into the last line, it was a tight turn to a vertical. Most would do 9 strides, but there was an option to do 8 if you had a big stride. I caught the eight and kept kicking on. I told myself I really want this, and I gave it everything I had.”
Stopping the clock in a blazing 39.56 seconds, El Dana and Itchcock Des Dames catapulted to the top of the leader board with a time that couldn’t be caught.
“I can’t believe it! It feels great, it really does. I don’t want to say I didn’t expect it, but I didn’t think I was going to win, so now that I won, I’m extremely happy,” expressed Dana.
Luis Pedro Biraben and his own 10-year-old Warmblood gelding, Vasco 109 (Vigo D’Arsouilles x Clarimo), were hot on Dana’s heels but couldn’t quite catch the time. They stopped the clock in 40.18 seconds to secure second place.
Third went to Gabriel Matos Machado and Bay Winds Equestrian LLC’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Legaland Sandro (Sandro Boy x Clinton), with the only other clear jump-off round in 41.16 seconds.
--ENDS--
Edited by HT
Photos by Andrew Ryback Photography
Full results here
Press release source here
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