Wilmington, Ohio – Athletes returned to the Standlee Sanctuary for the $10,000 Welcome Stake sponsored by Triple Crown Feed of World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Winter Classic 15. Michael Pegg (CAN) set the inviting tracks that were ultimately mastered by the victorious junior rider, Amy Krebs (USA) and her top mount, Jabantos (Corsari Van De Helle x Cassima).
Krebs discussed her thoughts on the first-round track, “I think it was a very inviting course. The end jump was unique, we don’t see a lot of turns like that, especially with the 90 degree turn to the combination. It rode exactly how it walked. It wasn’t set too big. Being the end of the circuit, the horses are getting a little bit tired and I thought the track today set them up to conserve their energy and have them prepared for Saturday night.”
As the second pair to go in the posted order, Krebs instantly put the pressure on the rest of the field with her 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.
“Going in second with one pair already double clean, I wanted to set a good pace. I wanted to be quick in case my next rides didn’t go so well, then I would still have Elijah [Jabantos] up at the top. I was tidy in the first turn and left a stride out to the combination. I was able to land and keep moving right. I found the in of the diagonal line flowing, where my others drifted a bit left so it made that turn wider,” Krebs commented on her jump-off track.
In 40.164 seconds, Krebs secured her fifth $10,000 Welcome Stake win of the series.
Michael Janson (USA) returned with Kimberly Janson’s coming 10-year-old Warmblood gelding, Aruba Van’t Eigenlo Z (Air Jordan Alpha Z x Gitania Van’t Eigenlo), to earn the red ribbon in 41.897 seconds.
Sarah Meier (USA) and her 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding, Brooke De Brekka (Dollar Du Murier x Ugano Sitteunknown), rounded out the podium in 44.673 seconds.
$10,000 Triple Crown Welcome Stake Results:
1 Jabantos, Amy Krebs, Amy Krebs | 0 | 40.164
2 Aruba Van’t Eigenlo Z, Michael Janson, Kimberly Janson | 0 | 41.897
3 Brook De Brekka, Sarah Meier, Sarah Meier | 0 | 44.673
4 Olympic Van De Meyhoeve, Izzy Beisel, Five Way Farm LLC | 0 | 44.815
5 Peno, Diana Conlon, Diana Conlon | 0 | 45.171
6 Hey Alexa, Amy Krebs, Avanti Sporthorses LLC | 4 | 42.567
7 Ike, Amy Krebs, Amy Krebs | 4 | 44.409
8 Wheeler, Mara Kranz, Mint Hill Farm | 4 | 45.69
9 Legend of Diva, William Dow, Jaime McGrath | 4 | 46.684
10 Favorite Du Chateau, Emily Reder, Emily Reder | 8 | 49.957
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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.