Marilyn Little Stakes Claim on 1/ST CSI2* Grand Prix

Marilyn Little Stakes Claim on 1/ST CSI2* Grand Prix

Marilyn Little (USA) received a special delivery a week prior to taking a big victory on the final day of Week 5 at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Olympic van de Noordheuevel, owned by Tal Milstein Stables, stepped off a plane into the winner’s circle as the pair claimed top honors in the $62,500 1/ST CSI2* Grand Prix to cap the week, presented by Fidelity Investments.

“I’m incredibly grateful and so excited for the opportunity,” Little said of getting the chance to pilot the 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Zambesi TN x Darco). “It’s a great horse. He’s had a ton of experience. Tal had a feeling it was going to click. He’s probably one of the easiest horses I’ve ever had the opportunity to ride. It’s novel for me to have so much experience under me. My goal today was to trade on that and take advantage of it since he knows how to go fast.”

The jump-off, set by 2024 Olympic course builder Gregory Bodo (FRA) kept getting faster two very fast competitors behind Little when she took over the leading time in 38.59 seconds. Ultimately, she was one one-hundredth of a second faster than second place, which went to Luciana Lossio (BRA) and LS Oscar. Third place went to Molly Ashe Cawley (USA) and Berdien, owned by Louisburg Farm.

The confidence Little had in the opening CSI2* classes with Olympic van de Noordheuevel was enough to convince her they were ready to challenge the other eight competitors over the short course.

“After the class on Friday I knew we had a good shot,” she said after her sixth place finish in the Qualifier. “He’s such a great jumper and I thought if I’m in the jump-off I really want to take a shot at it.”

Little noted that it was the final line that made the difference. “My plan was to do eight [strides] down the last line,” she explained. “I knew it was a risk but I saw it three or four [strides] out and he picked right up on it. It worked out. It’s like betting; you’re all in when you make a decision like that at the end.”

Based just a few miles down the road in Palm Beach, Sunday’s win was a hometown celebration for Little, who has been craving more diversity in her string lately.

“I’ve only had one horse for the last year,” she remarked. “I’ve needed some rides very badly. This is the first time I’ve had a second horse to ride and a third one just arrived yesterday. The string is growing exponentially by the day right now.”

As for Olympic van de Noordheuevel, “I don’t know where he’ll be in a few weeks,” she continued. “The horse can jump big jumps so in a blue sky world I’d love to jump some bigger classes and night classes by March. We click really well but we’ll make our plans in pencil.”

1/ST is making a significant attempt to bridge the gap between show jumping and horse racing, as the two industries have significant crossover in fandom and lifestyle. Little appreciates the effort she’s seen by the world-class sports brand.

“I’m a huge racing fan so I think it is a really natural step,” she commented. “Top sport is top sport. If you love horses and you love the equestrian lifestyle, it’s all exciting. It makes sense to bridge the gap and I’m so excited that they’re doing it. They’re doing a great job and really getting the name out there. I think people are really going to grab onto it.”

To see full results from the $62,500 1/ST CSI2* Grand Prix, click HERE.