Competing for their first time together in Wellington International’s Saturday Night Lights, Kelli Cruciotti-Vanderveen piloted her upcoming superstar Gideon to a fantastic ride in the $226,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix.
“All winter circuit we had been aiming at stepping him up during the last two weeks of his WEF season,” Keli Cruciotti-Vanderveen said of Gideon (Super Trooper De Ness x Corland). During Week 9, the pair jumped the 5* Adequan WEF Challenge with just a single rail down. At just nine years old, he qualified for the Week 9 5* Grand Prix, but opted to skip the class to prepare him for the following weeks due to his age.
“I knew that the 4* Grand Prix would be the biggest he has ever jumped and when I walked the course I was very nervous!” The course was big, technical, and included delicate lines as expected of a 4* Saturday Night Lights class. “He felt super while warming up and my goal was to ride my plan and give him a good confident round.” Their plan paid off, as Kelli and Gideon jumped a fantastic round, finishing up with a four fault score in a competitive class.
Gideon will be enjoying a few weeks of well-deserved rest and relaxation, while Kelli continues to compete during the final weeks of the Winter Equestrian Festival aboard her other mounts. Kelli Cruciotti-Vanderveen and the team at Serenity Farm Show Stables are proud to see incredible progress and development from this young horse since their partnership began in 2021.
Kelli Cruciotti-Vanderveen and Gideon in Saturday Night Lights during WEF 10
Photo: Sportfot