Izzy Beisel Stands Alone in the $30,000 Grand Prix of WEC – Wilmington Winter Classic 5
10 JAN 26 Wilmington, OH
Wilmington, Ohio – A change of scenery added a new level of technicality for jumper athletes Saturday afternoon at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC) during Winter Classic 5, though it was no challenge for frequent Wilmington winner Izzy Beisel and her own Diaz Barbotiere (Messire Ardent x Quambera Barbotiere).
Beisel and Ragan Roberts were the only two athletes to produce clear rounds in the $30,000 Grand Prix.
Roberts was first to return for the jump-off with his own Queen Bee Z (Quincy Car x Can Get You). The coming 10-year-old Warmblood mare was quick around the short course but had a heartbreaker rail at the final fence to secure second place.
Looking for her second clear effort, Beisel returned to the jump-off in top form, clinching the win aboard her 12-year-old Selle Français gelding.
With the jumper ring moving to the R+L Arena for the week, Beisel shared why the change of scenery played to her mount’s strengths.
“This is Diaz’s favorite ring ever. He loves it in here,” she said with a laugh. “I don’t know what it is, but he loves flatting in here and looking at all the pretty hunter jumps. I think he knows this is where all the pretty hunters go.”
Beyond Diaz’s enthusiasm, Beisel noted that competing in the more compact arena offered a meaningful challenge.
“I like riding in the smaller rings. I think it’s a good challenge for both of us and something really good to work on,” she explained. “At indoor finals, the rings are small and the jumps are even bigger, so this is really good practice.”
She also praised course designer Anderson Lima, whose technical track tested the field and rewarded accuracy.
“I always have such a fun time with Anderson Lima as the course designer — I love his courses,” she said. “I thought the course rode really nicely for the ring. The jumps just kept coming up quickly, which is why it’s such good practice. I think he does a great job setting the horses, no matter what ring he’s in.”
Michael Burnett and Chris Richard’s Hendrik Wildricks (Bustique x Utareusa) rounded out the top three as the fastest four-faulter in 73.711 seconds.