Sun Sep 15 02:53:25 UTC 2024: ## Record-Breaking $100,000 Senior Trail Finals at The Championship Show 2024

**Ocala, FL** – Saturday night’s Senior Trail Finals at The Championship Show 2024 at World Equestrian Center – Ocala was a night for the history books. The event, which featured a record-breaking $100,000 purse for 26 teams, was a testament to the growing popularity of the discipline and the generosity of sponsor Mary Roberts.

The challenging trail course, designed by Tim Kimura with help from Garry McAllister, Chad Williams, and the WEC Crew, included obstacles such as hot air balloon and dolphin replicas, as well as water features. The average run time for the course was 3 minutes and 46 seconds.

Adding to the unique nature of the competition, exhibitors were prohibited from using poles for practice in the 24 hours leading up to the finals. This unconventional approach forced riders to rely on mental preparation and creative training methods.

Blake Weis, riding Hot Lopin Lily, emerged victorious, claiming the top prize of $40,000 and the title of Senior Trail Champion. The 2017 bay mare, owned by Caroline Cavallo, is a 2023 AQHA Superhorse and continues to impress with her talent and versatility.

Weis described the mental preparation he and Lily underwent, emphasizing the importance of walking the course and getting the mare accustomed to the unique elements. He also highlighted the challenges of the course, particularly the walk maneuver near water boxes and the left lope with diagonal patterns.

Owner Caroline Cavallo expressed her gratitude for both Weis and Lily, highlighting the mare’s dedication and her special place within the family. “She is a true show horse – she likes to show, she wants to be on the trailer to go to the horse show and it just means the world to us that she just keeps delivering and keeps getting better and better,” Cavallo said.

The event received praise from both competitors and spectators for its innovative format and substantial prize money. “Our industry needs to go this way and it’s a blessing Mary Roberts put the money up and said she was going to change the industry,” said Weis.

The Championship Show 2024 continues to highlight the evolving landscape of equestrian sports, with events like the $100,000 Senior Trail Finals setting a new standard for competition and prize money in the discipline.

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