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Wilmington, Ohio – Winter Classic 11 at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington featured top hunter/jumper competition from Wednesday, February 21 to Sunday, February 24. Izzy Beisel secured the $30,000 Grand Prix win Saturday evening. Ivan Espada clinched the win in the $10,000 Voltaire Futures Prix. Kaitlyn Skog topped the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby while Gabrielle Sharlow won the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby. Amy Krebs claimed her third win in a row in the $10,000 Welcome Stake Thursday evening.
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Beisel and her 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding Diaz Barbotiere (Messire Ardent x Quambera Barbotiere) topped the $30,000 Grand Prix by nearly four seconds.
As one of the winningest junior riders at WEC – Wilmington, Beisel discussed the preparation that keeps her horses happy, “We don’t jump much at home. My horses get a 20–30-minute flat and then we do about an hour of grass time. It takes me all day,” Beisel laughed.
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Espada ultimately surpassed the class in 32.082 seconds with his own 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding Asdi La Vista (Asdi Villagana x Uppsala) to take the win in the $10,000 Voltaire Futures Prix.
“I got him when he was just seven years old. He had all the bloodlines to jump but didn’t know anything about jumping when I got him. We have done everything together. This is one of my first wins in a class at 1.30m. I am so happy! He is super careful and is my ride. If I am good, he will always be there for me.”
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Skog returned for the second week in a row with Melissa Hague’s 12-year-old Warmblood gelding Sazerac to top the leaderboard in the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby.
“I just wanted to go back in and stick to my plan this time in the second round. I thought the track was challenging. To start with the first line away from the gate, I knew I really needed to get down there in eight strides. I wanted to start with a good canter and after that I felt really good,” Skog elaborated.
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Sharlow that rode to her first derby win at WEC – Wilmington with Bays and Grays, LLC’s 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Kudos in the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby.
“I have done a few derbies back in St. Louis. I did the derby here last weekend, and I didn’t make it back in the top 12. So, it is crazy that this is not only my first time placing in a derby here, but my first time winning. I have never scored a 90 before and it feels so amazing. I can’t stop smiling! I wanted to cry happy tears when I heard my score.”
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Sixteen-year-old Krebs marked her third win in a row Thursday evening in the $10,000 Welcome Stake with her own nine-year-old KWPN gelding Ike (Spartacus x Twister).
After a fresh warm-up, Krebs was thankful for her extra support that got her to the ring, “I am just getting to know Ike, so we are starting to learn a new side of him. He has been quite fresh and excited in the warm-up ring,” laughed Krebs. “He was the same way last week, so it got my nerves going through the roof today. I contemplated not doing the Welcome, but I am glad that Michelle [Zimmer] told me to!”
Competition at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington continues Wednesday, February 28, with Winter Classic 12.
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 horseshowing.com.
All horse show images are provided by Winslow Photography and can be purchased onsite at WEC – Wilmington or online through their website.