Lauren Balcomb on Verdini D'houtveld Z Wins Year's Final Ocala Grand Prix
Aussie rider tops 43 starting combinations in $75,000 1.45m class
December 13, 2025 at 9:50 PMBy k.braddick
Australia's Lauren Balcomb wrapped up a successful year in Florida winning the $75,000 Grand Prix on her Verdini D'houtveld Z at Ocala's World Equestrian Center.
Lauren on the 14-year-old gelding topped the starting lineup of 43 combinations with a double clear and a jump off time of 37.467 secs.
Lauren and Verdini won three CSIs at Ocala in the past six months before victory in Saturday's 1.45-meter competition that was the year's final Grand Prix at WEC.
Robert Blanchette of Ireland on the 14-year-old mare Chardonnay, in the rider's string of winning mounts, placed second, one of nine double clears, in 37.926 secs.
Tracy Fenney, based in Ocala, rode MTM Apple to third place, clear and a jump off time of 37.931 secs.
Results:
$75,000 Grand Prix 1.45m
Place Horse/Rider Jump Off Faults Time
1 Verdini D'Houtveld Z/Lauren Balcomb AUS 0 37.467
2 Chardonnay/Robert Blanchette IRL 0 37.926
3 Mtm Apple/Tracy Fenney USA 0 37.931
4 Hagelin/Sharn L. Wordley NZL 0 38.225
5 Lordy-P/Seth Vallhonrat USA 0 40.000
6 Escobar WW/Taylor M. Land USA 0 41.169
7 Eddie Blue/Lizzy A. Traband USA 0 41.336
8 Cordani PS/Beat Mandli SUI 0 41.602
9 Venezia D'austral Z/Ryan Michael Genn USA 0 41.751
10 Champion League/Sharn L. Wordley NZL 4 38.535
Photo: Australia's Lauren Balcomb on Verdini D'houtveld Z at Ocala, Florida. Andrew Ryback Photography
Related Articles
Callie Schott and Garant Fly To a Win in the MLSJ Palm Springs Grand Prix
U.S. Rider Callie Schott and her partner Garant did not hold back in the jump-off at Desert International Horse Park. She and Garant were rewarded with the victory in the $340,000 1.60m FEI 5* Grand Prix by GoRentals in Thermal, California. "I think that was the fastest I've ever gone in my life," Schott said. "It was really fun.
Jumping5 hours agoVideo Available
Kama Godek Triumphs in $30,000 Grand Prix at WEC Wilmington Winter Classic 3
Kama Godek once again proved her dominance aboard her own 10-year-old Holsteiner mare, Lady Stakkata (Stakkato x Lady Levisto). This win marks Godek’s third Grand Prix victory of the season, following previous triumphs at Midwest Indoors II and Winter Classic 2.Returning first for the jump-off, Godek and Lady Stakkata set the pace with a confident, flowing round, stopping the clock in 37.
Jumping10 hours agoVideo Available
Mark Bluman and Phelina de Septon Capture the 5* Winning Round in the Desert
Three is a lucky number for Colombian Mark Bluman. He and the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Philina de Septon were the last to go in the jump-off and clocked in at 33.33 seconds to win the $62,500 1.50m FEI 5* Winning Round by BrainJava. Ireland's Conor Swail and the 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding Theo 160 finished second in the Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) class in Thermal, California.
Jumping10 hours agoVideo Available
Latest News
Callie Schott and Garant Fly To a Win in the MLSJ Palm Springs Grand Prix
U.S. Rider Callie Schott and her partner Garant did not hold back in the jump-off at Desert International Horse Park. She and Garant were rewarded with the victory in the $340,000 1.60m FEI 5* Grand Prix by GoRentals in Thermal, California. "I think that was the fastest I've ever gone in my life," Schott said. "It was really fun.
Jumping5 hours agoKama Godek Triumphs in $30,000 Grand Prix at WEC Wilmington Winter Classic 3
Kama Godek once again proved her dominance aboard her own 10-year-old Holsteiner mare, Lady Stakkata (Stakkato x Lady Levisto). This win marks Godek’s third Grand Prix victory of the season, following previous triumphs at Midwest Indoors II and Winter Classic 2.Returning first for the jump-off, Godek and Lady Stakkata set the pace with a confident, flowing round, stopping the clock in 37.
Jumping10 hours agoMark Bluman and Phelina de Septon Capture the 5* Winning Round in the Desert
Three is a lucky number for Colombian Mark Bluman. He and the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Philina de Septon were the last to go in the jump-off and clocked in at 33.33 seconds to win the $62,500 1.50m FEI 5* Winning Round by BrainJava. Ireland's Conor Swail and the 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding Theo 160 finished second in the Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) class in Thermal, California.
Jumping10 hours ago