![](https://worldequestriancenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/welc_1st_1686_240104_BRT_9927-copy-1024x683.jpg)
Wilmington, Ohio – After a 10-week riding hiatus, Nicole Loochtan (USA) returned to the Standlee Sanctuary like she never left with her own It’s Me Du Bosquetiau (Dayton Sitte x Mirette Du Bosquetiau). The duo conquered Joey Rycroft’s (CAN) $10,000 Welcome Stake tracks with ease to take home the first featured win of 2024 at the World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Winter Classic 4.
![](https://worldequestriancenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/welc_1st_1686_240104_JRF_0281-copy-1024x683.jpg)
“The last couple of months have looked very different for me! I fractured my shoulder in October in a fall,” said Loochtan. “I had to take 10 weeks off and I have only been riding for about two weeks now. I sent my horses to Florida so that they could stay fit. They came back, I rode for two weeks and jumped two 1.30m jumps at home and decided I was ready! My horses are just amazing.”
Loochtan and her top mount have proved their dominance during their partnership together, having claimed numerous back-to-back wins during the 2023 Winter in the Midwest Series and top placings in their FEI CSI3* debut over the summer.
![](https://worldequestriancenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/welc_1st_1686_240104_UNO_3218-copy-1024x683.jpg)
The 10-year-old Belgian Sport Horse stallion stepped right back into his winning ways, never touching a rail for a quick double clear, claiming the blue in 35.798 seconds.
![](https://worldequestriancenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/welc_1st_1686_240104_UNO_3269-copy-1024x683.jpg)
Loochtan, of Stone Creek Stables, spoke highly of the faces in her barn, “My two main horses are Marvin [It’s Me Du Bosquetiau] and my new horse Birdie [Kupardie]. I am so excited about them both. I have had Marvin for about a year now and we have had a lot of success here at WEC. Now that I am back to riding, I am really hoping to continue showing off the incredible horse that he is.”
![](https://worldequestriancenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/welc_2nd_0830_240104_UNO_3499-copy-1024x683.jpg)
Sam Pegg (CAN) returned to the winner’s circle once again with Harlow Investment Enterprises LLC‘s Formidable Diamant (Diamant De Semilly x Nobel Lady). Pegg piloted the nine-year-old Selle Francias gelding to a jump-off time of 35.858 seconds, just shy of the leading time for a respectable second place.
![](https://worldequestriancenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/welc_3rd_1557_240104_UNO_2985-copy-1024x683.jpg)
Vanessa Lee’s 12-year-old Holsteiner mare Esra (Bratt Z x Ulibra) rounded out the top three with Paul Halpern (CAN) in the irons. Halpern has used WEC – Wilmington to aid in the development of the talented mare and has been proven successful with numerous wins under their belt. The duo kicked off their 2024 winter series with a third-place time of 36.976 seconds.
$10,000 Welcome Stake Results:
1 It’s Me Du Bosquetiau, Nicole Loochtan, Nicole Loochtan | 0 | 35.798
2 Formidable Diamant, Sam Pegg, Harlow Investment Enterprises LLC | 0 | 35.858
3 Esra, Paul Halpern, Vanessa Lee | 0 | 36.976
4 Dolla 3, Sam Pegg, Ten Sixty Stables | 0 | 38.659
5 Triskel De Kerliven, Liz Hutchinson, Liz Hutchinson | 0 | 39.158
6 Conquest, Devin Milan, Garo Kazan | 4 | 34.041
7 Quincidence, Wilhelm Genn, Wilhelm Genn | 4 | 39.481
8 Donatella Du Barquet, Philippe Lacasse, Philippe Lacasse | 4 | 62.419
9 Kupardie, Nicole Loochtan, Nicole Loochtan | 4 | 70.947
10 Kinsella, Charlotte Clark, Charlotte Clark | 4 | 71.276
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.