Orange Blossom Classic: Thursday, April 9, 2026 Featured Class Highlights

Ocala, FL – A beautiful, sunny Florida spring day set the scene for featured competition during day two of the Orange Blossom Classic, where Thursday’s highlights included the $5,000 NSBA $25K Limited Horse Non-Pro Western Pleasure and the $4,000 NSBA Maturity Limited Open Hunter Under Saddle.

 

$5,000 NSBA $25K Limited Horse Non-Pro Western Pleasure

The WEC Grand Arena hosted the $5,000 NSBA $25K Limited Horse Non-Pro Western Pleasure early Thursday morning, where it was Jan Shepherd who rode her own Good Miss Lazy to the win.

The 2016 mare by Lazy Loper x Good Miss Sunny has proven to be a standout partner for Shepherd. “She’s a great mare. She’s just so sweet and well-behaved. Every little cue I give her, she tries. She has the biggest heart,” she shared.

After giving the mare some time off, Shepherd returned to the ring with a winning performance. “I’ve had her for about four years. I gave her a little time off, so this is her debut back.”

Shepherd credited trainers Bret and Candy Parrish for their support and shared her excitement about competing at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. “It’s beyond incredible here. It’s the Ritz Carlton and Disney World for horses.”

Looking ahead, Shepherd has plans to continue developing the talented mare. “We will continue with the pleasure this year, and maybe later we will get into Western Riding. At some point, we may switch over. I’ve always had a fantasy to do it, and I always tell everyone never to give up.”

$5,000 NSBA $25k Limited Horse Non Pro Western Pleasure Results: 

1 Good Miss Lazy, Jan Shepherd, Jan Shepherd Pittman
2 Hp The Lazy Machine, Deanna Willis, Rusty & Katie Green
3 Never Again, Kenna Slater, Kenna Slater

$4,000 NSBA Maturity Limited Open Hunter Under Saddle 

A field of twelve horse-and-rider combinations took to the rail in the WEC Grand Arena on Thursday afternoon, where Sydney Depauw rose to the top with Tim and Cindy Snapp’s All Together Now.

The victory marked Depauw’s debut ride aboard the 2022 stallion by All Time Fancy x Sexy Invitation. “He is four years old and an All Time Fancy Paint Horse. This is actually my first time getting to show him, which is great. He is so much fun and such a sweetheart. He’s so honest and he’s the same every single day.”

All Together Now is just getting underway for the two weeks of shows ahead. “His Non Pro rider is going to show him again this week, and my boss, Laura Spell, is going to show him here this week and A Sudden Impulse next week.”

$4,000 NSBA Maturity Limited Open Hunter Under Saddle Top Three Results 

1 All Together Now, Sydney Depauw, Tim & Cindy Snapp
2 Walk N After Midnite, Melvin Yoder, Jeffrey Stanley
3 Hunt N Hotties, Jennifer Reams, Lisa Hoffman

The Orange Blossom Classic continues through Sunday, April 12, followed by A Sudden Impulse beginning Tuesday, April 14 and running through Saturday, April 18. Spectators are welcome to enjoy competition throughout both weeks.

Featured highlights under the lights of the WEC Grand Arena include the $50,000 Marsh McLennan Agency NSBA All-Age Non-Pro & Limited Non-Pro Trail on Saturday, April 11 at 7pm, and the $142,000 NSBA All-Age Open Trail Finals on Friday, April 17 at 7pm, featuring the first-ever $100,000 winner’s payout.

There is no charge for admission or parking. *Times are subject to change.

Learn more about the Orange Blossom Classic & A Sudden Impulse here.

 

Photos courtesy of Shane Rux Photography.

Make sure to visit the WEC Blog and follow us on social media @worldequestriancenter for full coverage on all feature classes.