Wilmington, Ohio – The $30,000 Standlee Grand Prix of Winter Classic 12 saw an eight-horse jump-off over FEI Level III course designer Colm Quinn’s (IRL) track with some of World Equestrian Center – Wilmington’s (WEC) fastest competitors. Ultimately, it was a race between Richard Rinehart and Izzy Beisel with their final two mounts for the top spot.
Beisel and one of her top rides, Vegas H (Valentino x Cobrah), a 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding, went in the middle of the pack to claim a quick time of 35.457 seconds. The pair went into the lead until Beisel returned to beat her own time.
Aboard her 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding, Diaz Barbotiere (Messire Ardent x Quambera Barbotiere), she was even quicker around the track to stop the clock in 34.595 seconds.
The lead did not hold for long as Rinehart was the final entry to go with the 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Captain America 10 (Contendro).
“I really thought Izzy was going to win,” Rinehart laughed. “But I thought, you know, let’s give it a try here! Captain was really on his game.”
Rinehart made up the time, adding one more stride in the second line to find a more efficient turn back on the one-stride to just catch the win in 34.26 seconds.
“It is actually our first grand prix win together. My son Luke [Rinehart] has won a prix on him, but I finally got my turn,” Rinehart made note of his special win with his long-term resident, ‘Captain’.
The community at WEC – Wilmington was strong, as barn-mates, friends and exhibitors cheered supportively by the in-gate. “It was a great course and a great night. It was a really fair test. I am really proud of everybody,” Rinehart shared.
$30,000 Standlee Grand Prix Results:
1 Captain America 10, Richard Rinehart, Catherine Rinehart | 0 | 34.26
2 Diaz Barbotiere, Izzy Beisel, Izzy Beisel | 0 | 34.595
3 Vegas H, Izzy Beisel, David Beisel | 0 | 35.457
4 Nightshade SCF, Sarah Meier, Sarah Meier | 0 | 35.947
5 Triskel De Kerliven, Izzy Beisel, Liz Hutchinson | 0 | 36.114
6 The Diamant Rose Z, Richard Rinehart, Luke Rinehart | 4 | 33.774
7 Duc De Jentiere, Lani Hutchison, Lani Hutchison | 4 | 39.409
8 Contigo, Izzy Beisel, David Beisel | 4 | 73.24
9 Gold D’elle, Charlotte Clark, Charlotte Clark | 4 | 75.332
10 Spicebomb, Sarah Meier, Sarah Meier | 4 | 76.183
Claire Austin Secures Third $10,000 Devoucoux Futures Prix Win with K T Miel
It was a three-peat for Claire Austin and K T Miel (Epleaser Van T Heike x Violet P) at Winter Classic 12 as they raced to the win in the $10,000 Devoucoux Futures Prix win Saturday afternoon.
Colm Quinn set a first-round track that saw eight riders advance to the jump-off phase. Austin found it inviting for the class, “It was very inviting. It was good for this group. There were a lot of long lines that just got them a little low. My horse has such a big stride, so it worked out well. It kept you thinking.”
“Once I got on my groove in the jump-off, he stayed right with me. He was quick and jumping high. He was really good,” Austin shared.
Austin was able to edge out Richard Rinehart from the top spot with her speedy 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding and shared where she felt she made up the time. “I actually left a stride out to the combination. He has such a huge stride that I was able to leave it out and still balance into the one-stride. He covers the ground so nicely, that even riding the same track as the others he can still save time.”
The winning duo kept on their hot streak, stopping the clock in an uncatchable 34.173 seconds.
Austin felt, “very excited,” about her successful winter. “We figured out a couple of his quirks and he is just so happy. He loves to do his job; he lives for it. He perks up in the ring and he feels so good. Hopefully, we can try the grand prix next time!”
Rinehart ultimately earned both second and third place. In 35.325 seconds, the 12-year-old Hanoverian warmblood, Claas (Chalet x Glorielle), claimed the red ribbon.
Lorstakov (Lordanos x Milena V), a 16-year-old Holsteiner gelding, rounded out the top three as the first double clear effort in 37.239 seconds.
$10,000 Devoucoux Futures Prix Results:
1 K T Miel, Claire Austin, Clarie Austin | 0 | 34.173
2 Claas, Richard Rinehart, Catherine Rinehart | 0 | 35.325
3 Lorstakov, Richard Rinehart, Richard Rinehart | 0 | 37.239
4 Igor Van Gogh, Amy Taylor, Amy Taylor | 0 | 37.249
5 Eldoranda Z, Alexandria Nelson, Thinkslikeahorse | 0 | 39.278
6 Favorite Du Chateau, Emily Reder, Emily Reder | 0 | 40.559
7 Centurio From Second Life Z, Drew Arnold, Theresa Kraft | 0 | 40.930
8 Quick Release Sho Z, Colleen Holton, Liberty Farms LLC | 0 | 44.637
9 La’velle, Dayla Balk, Dalya Balk | 4 | 78.174
10 Olympia B, Madison Solosi, Adrianne Golly | 4 | 78.992