Wilmington, Ohio – The $30,000 CWD Grand Prix was the highlight event of the evening at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Winter Classic 14. In the end, it was junior rider Amy Krebs (USA) who ultimately secured her third grand prix win with her own, Jabantos (Corsari Van De Helle x Cassima).
As the final entry, Krebs needed to simply jump a clear ride to best the only other rider to make it to the short course, Sarah Meier (USA).
Meier returned with her 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding, Brooke De Brekka (Dollar Du Murier x Ugano Sitteunknown), leaving all of the jumps in place but adding a few faults on the clock in 50.687 seconds, ultimately putting them in second place.
Krebs discussed her thoughts on her jump-off, “I just didn’t want to have a rail. I obviously wasn’t hoping to have the first jump down, but I got that out of the way,” Krebs laughed. “I was just trying to be accurate. I didn’t go too crazy, I didn’t need to be fast. I maybe took one too many tugs in a few places.”
The young rider is frequently in the winner’s circle with her 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding and commented on her special partnership with him in the ring, “I have a lot of different types that I have been showing, and a few that I am just getting to know. I have said it a million times, but I am just so confident on Elijah. He gives me that boost of confidence. Even when I don’t ride him great, he is always there for me. I forget about everything else when I am in the ring with him,” said Krebs.
Racking up recent grand prix placings, Krebs discussed how WEC – Wilmington has played a role in her development as a rider, “WEC has really helped me get more comfortable at this height. Even offering the futures prix is so helpful. I started there. I was able to bring up a horse that was new to the level in that class. The courses aren’t overfacing, and it has really helped build my confidence. I wouldn’t have been able to gallop down to big jumps without doing so many of these classes.”
With an unlucky rail down at the first fence, Krebs was able to secure the win in 46.757 seconds.
Charlotte Clark (USA) and her 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare, Kinsella (Capitalist x Jerpoint Mist), were the fastest four faulters in the first round to land third place.
$30,000 CWD Grand Prix Results:
1 Jabantos, Amy Krebs, Amy Krebs | 4 | 46.757
2 Brook De Brekka, Sarah Meier, Sarah Meier | 7 | 50.687
3 Kinsella, Charlotte Clark, Charlotte Clark | 4 | 73.88
4 Hey Alexa, Amy Krebs, Avanti Sporthorses LLC | 4 | 74.579
5 Nightshade SCF, Sarah Meier, Sarah Meier | 4 | 75.408
6 Retroflex, Sarah Long, Alan Manning | 4 | 75.57
7 BSH Matinee, Shawn Butler, Shawn Butler | 8 | 76.782
8 Caesar, Luke Rinehart, Catherine Rinehart | 8 | 79.244
9 Hendrik Wildricks, Richard Rinehart, Chris Richards | 12 | 76.407
10 Ike, Amy Krebs, Amy Krebs | 12 | 82.877
Second Consecutive Win for Bash in the $10,000 Kentucky Equine Research Futures Prix
Twenty-one aspiring horse-and-rider combinations converged in the Standlee Sanctuary to kick-off show jumping action Saturday at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Winter Classic 14 for the $10,000 Kentucky Equine Research Futures Prix.
Only five pairs advanced to the jump-off over Joe Carnicom’s (USA) track, with last week’s winner Megan Bash (USA) posting the only double-clear effort.
Bash and her own Jackson VDL (Zirocco Blue VDL x Design O) galloped around the short course nearly 10 seconds faster than the second place time.
“I had no idea I would be the only double clear. I went for it like there were going to be people chasing me. I thought I was fast last week, but wow was I fast today! I knew there were 21 in it, so I had to go for it.”
Bash discussed where she made up time around the course, “To leave the jumps up and go as fast as I went was going to be really difficult. I turned really short and I left steps out everywhere that I could. I didn’t think that I left a lot on the table. Jackson is just so careful. He is such a trier.”
Aboard her 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Bash secured the win in 38.483 seconds, setting him up for a successful classic day for her son. “Aiden will step back in the ring on him tomorrow for the junior jumper classic. It was fun to watch him victory gallop him for me! It is so fun to share him,” said Bash.
Isabelle Collister (USA) and her own 10-year-old Zangersheide mare, Thalia SR Z (Thunder VD Zuuthoeve x Miramichi) were the only other pair the leave all of the jumps up, with a time of 49.963 seconds and two unfortunate time faults landing them in second place.
Rounding out the top three on four faults in 44.032 seconds was Lisa Perri (USA) and Hazelbrook Farm’s 14-year-old Warmblood gelidng, Erinus (Indoctro x Alcea Rosea).
$10,000 Kentucky Equine Research Futures Prix:
1 Jackson VDL, Megan Bash, Cleveland Equestrian | 0 | 38.483
2 Thalia SR Z, Isabelle Collister, Isabelle Collister | 2 | 49.963
3 Erinus, Lisa Perri, Hazelbrook Farm | 4 | 44.032
4 HJ Blind Date, Molly Kindness, Molly Kindness | 8 | 42.328
5 Legend Of Diva, William Dow, Jaime McGrath | 9 | 48.53
6 Lovely Boy Van’t Leeuwerikenhof, Raphaelle Brassard, Raphaelle Brassard | 4 | 71.096
7 Captain America 10, Luke Rinehart, Catherine Rinehart | 4 | 73.832
8 Wildflower, Sarah Long, Mark Hayes | 4 | 74.551
9 Van Koning, Michelle Vandal, Julie Van Wieren | 4 | 75.319
10 Billionaire, Alexandria Nelson, Sarah Meier | 4 | 76.706