Sam Pegg and Gin Tonic 158 Prevail in the $25,000 World Equestrian Center Grand Prix

*^{Sam Pegg and Gin Tonic 158 winning the $25,000 World Equestrian Center Grand Prix. Photo by Winslow Photography.}*

Wilmington, OH – The $25,000 World Equestrian Center Grand Prix at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington was the highlight event of the week during Spring II. Bobby Murphy (USA) designed the intricate course for 18 elite horse-and-rider pairs. In a competitive eight-horse jump-off, Sam Pegg (CAN) secured victory by a full two seconds aboard his rising star mount Gin Tonic 158 (Graf Top x Sanjador).

Pegg was one of the last riders to tackle the jump-off. After witnessing Kady Abrahamson’s speedy round, he knew he had to give it his all with Gin Tonic 158.

*^{Sam Pegg and Gin Tonic 158. Photo by Winslow Photography.}*

“I would have been more comfortable doing eight strides between the first two jumps in the jump-off, but after watching Kady, I figured if I was going to keep up with her time, I had to do the seven and keep up the gallop the whole way around,” said Pegg.

Pegg and the 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding sped through the jump-off course, stopping the clock at a blistering 33.753 seconds, adding yet another victory to the talented gelding’s list of successes.

*^{Sam Pegg and Gin Tonic 158 accepting their first place awards. Photo by Winslow Photography.}*

“We bought him just over a year and a half ago from Germany, and we clicked right away,” shared Pegg. “He’s been very successful for us. I think he’s won 12 grands prix for us now, just in the time we’ve had him.”

Looking ahead, Pegg is eager to maintain this drive into the summer. “We are going to head to Chicago for two weeks, then take a little break at home. At the beginning of July, he will compete in some two-star events in Toronto, Canada, and I am excited to keep progressing with him there.”

*^{Kady Abrahamson and Jazil Du Houssoit flying to second place. Photo by Winslow Photography.}*

Kady Abrahamson (USA) secured yet another podium finish this week, this time aboard Jazil Du Houssoit (Peppermill x Gerboise Du Houssoit), owned by Abrahamson Equestrian LLC. Abrahamson and the nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare navigated an incredibly fast jump-off round in 35.882 seconds, earning second place.

*^{Sarah Meier and Nightshade Scf rounding out the top three. Photo by Winslow Photography.}*

Third place honors went to Sarah Meier (USA) and her own 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood, Nightshade Scf (Baldev x Olisina), who delivered a quick and clear jump-off in 36.710 seconds.

$25,000 World Equestrian Center Grand Prix Results:
1 Gin Tonic 158, Sam Pegg, Sam Pegg: 0 | 0 | 33.753
2 Jazil Du Houssoit, Kady Abrahamson, Abrahamson Equestrian LLC: 0 | 0 | 35.882
3 Nightshade SCF, Sarah Meier, Sarah Meier: 0 | 0 | 36.710
4 Ultimately Cooley, Loic Cannaert, Orpen Horses: 0 | 0 | 37.072
5 Coblue PS, Loic Cannaert, Halo Capital: 0 | 0 | 38.160
6 Kandle, Nikko Ritter, Wendy Peralta: 0 | 4 | 35.967
7 Brook De Brekka, Sarah Meier, Sarah Meier: 0 | 4 | 37.449
8 Hendrik Wildricks, Richard Rinehart, Chris Richards: 0 | 12 | 38.437
8 Formidable Diamant, Sam Pegg, Harlow Investments Enterprises LLC: 4 | 68.294
9 Icon NR, Savannah Embly, North Ridge: 4 | 70.451
10 Contigo, Izzy Beisel, David Beisel: 4 | 71.427

Claire Austin and K T Miel Snag the $7,500 Futures Prix Victory

*^{Claire Austin and K T Miel in the $7,500 Futures Prix. Photo by Winslow Photography.}*

The $7,500 Futures Prix during Spring II at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington saw 16 horse-and-rider combinations navigate a challenging course designed by Bobby Murphy (USA). The final competitor, Claire Austin (USA), clinched the victory with her own K T Miel (Epleaser Van T Heike x Violet P) after a blistering jump-off round, finishing four seconds ahead of the second-place rider.

*^{Claire Austin and K T Miel. Photo by Winslow Photography.}*

Only five combinations advanced to the jump-off, with just three combinations achieving a double clear effort. Austin was able to strategize her winning round after watching Richard Rinehart’s ride on Vincent. “The last two jumps were a tight roll back, but [Richard Rinehart] went around and was still very fast. Originally, when I walked, I was planning on going inside, but after watching Richard, I knew I could be just as fast going around. Then I decided to leave one stride out, where Richard didn’t, and I think that’s where I had the time.”

*^{Claire Austin and K T Miel standing for their first place photo. Photo by Winslow Photography.}*

Austin’s naturally swift 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding completed the course in a remarkable 34.530 seconds. Reflecting on her partnership with K T Miel, she shared, “He’s naturally fast and has been with me for two and a half years. He helped me move up from 1.10m to 1.30m classes. This week, we competed in our first welcome stake, which is the biggest we’ve ever shown. So now, I am hoping to get a few more of those under my belt and see where things go!”

*^{Richard Rinehart and Vincent on their way to second place. Photo by Winslow Photography.}*

Richard Rinehart (USA) and Vincent (Van Gogh x Nirande), a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood owned by Ron Caraway, secured second place with a clear jump-off time of 39.020 seconds.

*^{Kady Abrahamson and Vancouver jumping to third place. Photo by Winslow Photography.}*

Kady Abrahamson (USA) and Abrahamson Equestrian LLC’s Vancouver (Valentino x Cocco), a 15-year-old Westphalian gelding, rounded out the top three with a clear round in 39.726 seconds.

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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.