From nap time to Show Time! Itchy and Jad Dana land a career best
Fresh from an afternoon nap, Itchcock des Dames left it all in the arena for Jad Dana as the Lebanese rider and ‘Itchy’ claimed victory in the $250,000 CSI4* Grand Prix in Week V of the Summer Series at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala.
“It feels amazing. It really does. I remember last year when I won, it was probably the biggest win in my career so far, and now, to do it again, it feels amazing,” said Jad, referencing his and Itchy’s 2025 win in the $185,000 Grand Prix in Week 3 of last year’s Summer Series. “My horse’s owner, [Amy Hauk] is here. She came here for one day to watch him today, and to come out with the win is very, very rewarding.”
‘Itchy’ – as he is known – is owned by the Itchy Group of Olympian Leslie Howard and her husband Peter and Amy and her husband Scott Dehm. “He just loves to rest,” said Amy of the 12-year old gelding. “It’s the characteristic of a true warrior that he can be so relaxed but then go out and perform in such a powerful way.”
Out of a field of 19 horse and rider combinations, five cleared the first round course designed by Brazil’s Marina Azevedo. Renowned USA rider, Aaron Vale, based near Ocala in Williston, Florida was competing on his home turf and held a brief lead in the jump off having finished in 42.03 seconds aboard Carissimo 25. Next to go, Jad and Itchy stopped the clock in 42.03 seconds, knocking Aaron into the runners up slot.
Portugal’s Luis Sabino Goncalves and Scoop de Septon Z closed out the contest, coming into the Grand Prix with a win in the qualifier earlier in the week. A rail and a time of 43.84 seconds left them with third place. “On Thursday, I tried to do well enough that others had to take more risks,” said Luis of his earlier win. “This time, I tried to beat Jad and Aaron, so I took risks. It’s the sport.”
Itchcock des Dames was purchased with Jad in mind some three years ago and the pair have gone from strength to strength as has the rider himself. This weekend Jad not only landed the Saturday night class victory but added two more wins at the show on Sunday. While ‘Itchy’ was likely revisiting his favorite hobby of resting in his stall, Jad won with Alles Goed in the 1.40m and Leonidas in the $85,000 CSI 2* Grand Prix – both horses owned by Burr Associates. The additional triumphs tipped Jad’s overall prize pot from the weekend into six figures.
“I had one of my biggest wins last night, so I was still on a high. I came in today and thought, of course I would be extremely happy to win today again, but I was very happy with yesterday. So now to win again is just unbelievable. I mean, wow,” he said.
Jad, who was world-ranked in the thousands in 2023, is currently 78th and is set to improve on that position after this weekend’s winning bonanza. “I mean, it’s a dream. It’s unbelievable,” he said. “I was thinking today how lucky I am to be doing this and being very successful at it. I’m so grateful for this life.”
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