World number one showjumper Scott finished the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida in style, winning the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix, presented by Rolex.
Delay
After 12 weeks of competition, the riders had to wait even longer for the final Grand Prix of the show, after wind and heavy rain caused Saturday’s competition to be postponed.
A total of 38 riders came forward on the Sunday afternoon, with seven going through to the jump-off.
Canada’s Ben Asselin was the first of the seven to go double clear, but his time was bettered by Jessica Springsteen and Vindicat W – the horse formerly ridden by London 2012 team gold medallist Peter Charles.
Cool head
Ireland’s Richie Maloney (Slieveanorra) then knocked 0.17sec off Jessica’s time, setting a target of 44.64sec.
But world number one Scott is known for keeping a cool head in a jump-off, and with his Olympic partner Hello Sanctos, they took more than a second off Richie’s time to go into the lead.
He then had to wait to see if American riders Beezie Madden and Kent Farrington could beat his time. Both were fast, but each had the same final fence down, meaning Scott took the victory.
Back on top
“Sanctos was fantastic today,” said the young Scotsman. “I gave him a rest when I first came here and then I started him back, and he felt just a little bit rusty and not quite jumping fit. I jumped two weeks and then I gave him last week off. This week he has just felt great and feels like he is jumping back to how he was.”
Scott now feels confident for the summer season. “There are a lot of big shows coming up with the championships and everything, so it is good to feel him in such good form early on in the year,” he added.
Leading rider
Scott’s team mate Ben Maher, currently ranked number two in the world, took home the $50,000 bonus for being the leading rider of the show, having won most of the major grands prix at the Festival.
“I have had a great circuit,” said Ben. “All of my horses have been great and consistent. If somebody was to say at the start of the circuit that it was going to come together like it had, I would not have believed it. I am grateful for everything and looking forward to a short rest now.”