By: Lauren Fisher

Ocala, FL – February 28, 2010 -Riding last and finishing first, Andre Thieme and his horse Cesar topped a twenty horse field to take home the victory in Sunday’s $75,000 STRONGID C 2X Grand Prix to conclude the third week of HITS Ocala.  Thieme and Cesar raced to a fault-free finish in the jump off in 43.274 seconds for the win. Second place went to David Jennings aboard Marcus Aurelius; the pair was also double clear, but not quite as fast with a time of 46.480 seconds.  Theime also captured third place with his horse Aragon Rout in 46.576 seconds.
 
The afternoon’s 14 obstacle course was designed by Aki Ylanne of Finland, and only six of the twenty starters jumped without fault to continue on to the jump-off. Giving the crowd a thrill, the six riders faced off against the clock, and as it came down to the wire, Megan Edrick aboard Cadence, David Jennings aboard Marcus Aurelius, and Thieme aboard Aragon Rouet all posted clear rounds.  The competitors were neck in neck for time, and at the end of the day, it was Cesar and Thieme who crossed the timers three seconds ahead to take the win.
 
Taking first and third in the day’s grand prix, Thieme was very happy and spoke about Cesar, who he has only owned for a few weeks. Cesar was bred by former Olympian Paul Schockemöhle, who is one of the biggest breeders in Germany. Although only together a short time, Thieme and Cesar placed third and eighth in the first two grand prix class in Ocala, and Cesar really proved himself with today’s win. “I didn’t think that I could do the two big $75,000 and $100,000 classes with him because he is so young, but he did great,” Thieme smiled. “He’s a good young horse with a lot of potential. He is everything; he’s easy, he’s powerful, he’s smart, and he’s obviously fast.”
 
Thieme went first in the jump-off with his horse Aragon Rouet and jumped clear, so he then had the opportunity to watch the other horses go and make a plan to go faster with his second horse. “I had two horses, so I tried to just go clean and set a pace with the first, but then my time got beaten,” Thieme said. “He only beat me by a little bit though, so I knew I could go a little faster with Cesar. I didn’t think I could go that fast over the grand prix height with that young horse, so I was really surprised that I won it and I am really happy.”
 
Other competitors in the jump-off included Kirk Webbey and Hennessey, who went first and tallied four faults to finish in fifth, and Harold Chopping and Little Glen’s Valentino, who finished with eight faults to take home sixth place.  Also finishing well in the first round with the fastest four-fault trips were Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Alpha & Omega and Bull Run’s La Bamba, Tracy Fenney and MTM Centano, and Aaron Vale with Paparazzi.  Hugh Graham and Executive Privilege 3E, and Seans Crooks with Cincinnati La Silla rounded out the top twelve.

To read more about the $75,000 STRONGID C 2X Grand Prix at HITS Ocala visit PhelpsSports.com.