It was a big decision for Chloe Fullar to travel from Berrien Springs, Michigan, to World Equestrian Center – Ocala for her first ever CDI as a rider, but the decision paid off as she took a triple victory over the weekend of 10 - 12 December
In the 1* Prix St Georges with a field of just three riders, Fullar reigned supreme with 65.000%. Eline Eckroth (USA) rode Connie Wise’s Daphne to second on 64.853%, while Ivo Juhrend (NED) and Black Diamond were third with 63.725% in the Prix St Georges.
Still Feeling Game at 21
It was a special show for Fullar, who first found Farley in 2016 in Germany. Her student purchased the then-16-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Fabriano x Woodstock to compete at the young rider level. Another student of Fullar’s, Sophia Schults, purchased the horse the following year and competed at the 2017 North American Youth Championships, but Fullar made the decision to buy him herself this past July.
“He is mine, and he’s a gem,” said Fullar. “When I got him back, I wasn’t sure what he wanted to do, so my best friend and assistant said to take him to one of the shows and see if he wants to still do something, and he did. I’ve actually had an incredible season, and I wanted to cap it off with a CDI. I’m really thrilled and blessed to have him back and to own him. I’ll have him for the rest of his life.”
With Farley still feeling game at the spry age of 21, Fullar will “listen to him and see what he wants to do for the rest of his life after this,” she said, but has tentatively set the goal of qualifying for the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions in the small tour next year.
She remarked about her test, “I was really thrilled with him, and there is always a learning experience with it. I had a couple little hiccups and nerves.”
Where Farley usually shines is in the canter work. “He really sits and is engaged and has gorgeous, uphill changes,” described Fullar. “His extended canter is amazing. We have been playing with strengthening our trot tour.”
First Time in Ocala
This was Fullar’s first time at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. “It is something!” she expressed. “I’ve had clients come and friends tour it, but until you’re here, you can’t believe it. It’s just unbelievable. I haven’t even gone all the way around the place yet. We’re grateful to be here. It’s beautiful, it’s clean, and Florida is always fantastic.”
Fullar (USA) repeated her winning small tour performance from the Prix St. Georges in the Intermediate 1 class. She and her own Farley took the top prize with a score of 74.468%. On Sunday she contested the Intermediate 1 Freestyle, taking home a third win in a row with a score of 70.733%.
Commenting about her victories, she said, “You train, and you dream about things that you can win and make a hat trick like this, but I didn’t know what to expect coming here. I just wanted to absorb the experience and learn from it and love it. You ride of course wanting to win every time. Could I expect this? No, I only hoped for it. It’s a way to encapsulate an incredible year.”
Related Links
Scores: 2021 CDI-W Ocala