Wilmington, Ohio – The $10,000 Welcome Stake sponsored by Devoucoux kicked off the final week of show jumping competition of the 2023 Winter in the Midwest Series Thursday afternoon at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington. Of the 15 starters that contested international course designer Michael Pegg’s (CAN) tracks, it was Devin Milan (USA) that piloted her speedy mare Karlina T (Cabrio Van De Heffinck x Goberlina T) to the first featured win of Winter Classic 18.
As the second to last pair to enter the Standlee Sanctuary, Milan looked to best Izzy Beisel’s (USA) leading time.
Aboard her trusted partner Vegas H (Valentino x Cobrah), the junior rider of David Beisel Stables in Goshen, Ohio, posted an early and quick double clear to lead the class with a jump-off time of 40.538 seconds.
Milan, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, entered aboard Garo Kazan’s seven-year-old KWPN in top form. Galloping down the first line and swiftly making each available inside turn, the duo crossed the timers in 39.950 seconds to ultimately secure the win, moving Beisel into second place.
“When I approached the first fence, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do six or seven strides. She was staying on the bit so well and I felt like I had the canter that I could open up. I have been working on getting her to stay on the bit throughout the courses and her progress is remarkable since we brought her over from the Netherlands. I knew if I wanted to win that I needed to open up for six. I have really been working on not pulling in the turns, so I just focused on continuing around the turns everywhere and she was really good,” Milan shared on her strategy with Karlina T.
Winner of the grand prix of Winter Classic #16, Kady Abrahamson (USA) returned to earn third place with her eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, Jazil Du Houssoit (Peppermill x Gerboise Du Houssoit). Abrahamson navigated two confident, efficient rounds with her young, talented mare and landed through the timers in 43.561 seconds to round out the podium.
$10,000 Devoucoux Welcome Stake Results:
1 Karlina T, Devin Milan, Garo Kazan | 0 | 39.95
2 Vegas H, Izzy Beisel, David Beisel | 0 | 40.538
3 Jazil Du Houssit, Kady Abrahamson, Abrahamson Equestrian LLC | 0 | 43.561
4 Chaccomo 11, Drew Arnold, Theresa Kraft | 0 | 44.129
5 Eastpoint, Hillary Johnson, Hillary Johnson | 0 | 45.427
6 TC Cayman de Joyarie Z, Michaella Gerlacher, Elizabeth Harris | 0 | 45.912
7 Chicago CM, Eric Krawitt, Eric Krawitt | 1 | 56.715
8 Diaz Barbotiere, Izzy Beisel, Izzy Beisel | 4 | 41.317
9 Captain America 10, Richard Rinehart, Catherine Rinehart | 4 | 43.271
10 Nightshade SCF, Sarah Meier, Sarah Meier | 4 | 45.225