Wilmington, Ohio – Jumper competition of Winter Classic #16 commenced with the $10,000 EquiJet Welcome Stake at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Thursday evening. The stands in the Standlee Sanctuary were packed with exhibitors eager to witness 17 elite starters attempt course designer Robert Barton’s (USA) tracks. Amy Krebs (USA) returned with her own Jabantos (Corsari Van De Helle x Cassima) and sped to the win for the second time this season.
The 15-year-old junior rider of Fair Chance Farm in Franklin, Tennessee, defended her winning title earned in her last outing at Winter Classic 11, and yet again bested a field of professional athletes.
The talented young rider and her nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding rose to the occasion, answering all of the questions in the tracks while setting a blazing fast pace as the seventh to go in the posted order.
“I thought the courses were really good. There was difficulty to it, but this really suited my horse because I was able to use the lines to leave out strides. That is one of his strong suits since he has such a huge stride. I really wanted to leave out strides in the jump-off and balance up and turn tight to make up some time,” Krebs commented on the courses.
Krebs proved uncatchable with her scopey mount and bested the field in 40.387 seconds, setting the tone for an incredibly successful season ahead.
Krebs spoke about her goals for the rest of 2023, “He will do the futures prix this week, in the future hopefully we will be doing more grands prix and welcomes! We will go back home after this and try to get points to go back to young riders [FEI North American Youth Championships] this year and indoors.”
Last week’s $10,000 Futures Prix winner, Drew Arnold (USA) of Carmel, Indiana, returned to post another double clear effort aboard Theresa Kraft’s Chaccomo 11 (Chacco-Blue x Sacenta). As the third to go in the order, the duo held onto their podium position through the entirety of the class. With Arnold in the irons, the 14-year-old Mecklenburg gelding landed through the timers in 42.714 seconds.
Keely McIntosh (USA) of Georgetown, Kentucky, and La Perla VD Barbierbeek (Nebab De Reve x Doedinka) rounded out the podium. The 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Booth Show Jumpers made light work of the class, and secured third place in a time of 46.172 seconds.
$10,000 EquiJet Welcome Stake Results:
1 Jabantos, Amy Krebs, Amy Krebs | 0 | 40.387
2 Chaccomo 11, Drew Arnold, Theresa Kraft | 0 | 42.714
3 a Perla VD Barbierbeek, Keely McIntosh, Booth Show Jumpers | 0 | 46.172
4 It’s Me Du Bosquetiau, Nicole Loochtan, Nicole Loochtan | 0 | 46.425
5 Jazil Du Houssoit, Kady Abrahamson, Abrahamson Equestrian LLC | 4 | 43.521
6 Wildflower, Sarah Long, Mark Hayes | 4 | 45.276
T7 Jadina, Kevin McCarthy, Sweet Oak Farm | 0 | EL
T7 Delta De Laume, Campbell Kahn, Tayo McLean | 0 | EL
9 FortySix & 2, Lyriss Jaeger, Lyriss Jaeger | 2 | 84.795
10 Kinsella, Charlotte Clark, Charlotte Clark | 4 | 74.627
Make sure to visit the WEC Blog and follow us on social media @worldequestriancenter for full coverage on all feature classes!
Results can be found at wec.net.
All horse show images are provided by Winslow Photography and can be purchased onsite at WEC – Wilmington or online through their website.