Matt Hollberg, of Apex Equestrian Center, rode Full A's to a nail-biting victory in the recently held $50,000 Charles Owen Grand Prix at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit in Ocala, Florida.

“This was only the fifth Grand Prix Full A's has ever done,” said Hollberg, who was excited for his first Grand Prix victory of the season. “He's won a few ribbons but this was the first time he's ever jumped clean in a Grand Prix, let alone won.”

Hollberg, originally from Verden, Germany, has vast Grand Prix experience both here in the United States and internationally.

As a junior he competed in the German Championships and trained under notables Ludger Beerbaum, Peter Weinberg and Rod Brown.

Hollberg has many recent wins and placings in the Grand Prix Circuit on the East Coast with this most recent victory as one of his highest honors.

Based at Apex Equestrian Center in Apex since 2008, Hollberg trains and teaches students in all areas of equestrian sport.

“This was the biggest course Full A’s has ever jumped,” said Hollberg. “Since I was going last, I just knew I needed to jump it as fast as I could and it worked.”

While 61.429 seconds wasn't the fastest time, his clean round was enough for the win. International Course Designer Bernardo Cabral's course in Ocala proved difficult, as only three out of a field of 33 riders returned for the jump-off.

Hollberg and Full A's were the only team to go clear in the second half of the order.

This win now puts Matt Hollberg on the road to qualify for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix later this year.