An enthusiastic crowd filled the Sanctuary Arena stands this afternoon as we prepared to start the Futures Prix 1.30 m, followed by the WEC Grand Prix 1.40 m. The fans cheered on their favorite horses and riders as they rode the courses in hopes of a victory. First to go was the Futures Prix 1.30 m, which offered an inviting course for the sixteen entries. The time allowed was 78 seconds for the Table II event, meaning riders would stay in the ring to jump off after their first round. Of the sixteen entries, nine jumped a clear first round and continue to the jump off, and six entries were double clear, so it was truly time that placed the class.
There was one rider in the Futures Prix that swept the class, show jumping veteran David Beisel, taking the top three placings aboard With a Little Help Sir, Five Star, and La Dolce VDL. His first ride of the night, eighth in the order of go, was With a Little Help Sir, a bay Hanoverian gelding owned by Elizabeth Gillmore. The pair jumped the first round with ease in a time of 75.094 seconds. They continued into the jump off, riding an impressively quick and tidy course in a time of 33.540. David and With a Little Help Sir would hold their lead for the rest of the class. David was also impressively quick on REV Media Marketing, LLC’s Five Star, with a jump off time of 34.522, and nearly matched that time on Makayla Weber’s La Dolce Vita VDL with a jump off time of 34.528. David’s cheering section was enthusiastic in their excitement for his wins, particularly Elizabeth (Betty) Gillmore. “[With a Little Help Sir] didn’t know he could go that fast,” Betty told us, “I’m super happy with how well he’s doing, thanks to David!”
A quick course change was made in preparation for the WEC Grand Prix 1.40 m. Nineteen entries competed for the victory in the Grand Prix, and of those entries, only five jumped a clear first round. First in the ring was Wilhelm Genn riding his own Van Gogh, setting the pace with a clear first round time of 79.291 seconds. Next to jump clear, fifth in the order of go, was another member of the Genn family, Ryan Genn aboard Wilhelm Genn’s Dante’s Inferno. The pair jumped a clear first round just within the time allowed of 82 seconds with a time of 81.540 seconds. One of the quickest first round times was Phyllis Harlow’s Call me Hannes piloted by David Beisel. The two jumped a clear first round in a time of 78.936 seconds.
Back for the jump off, Wilhelm Genn and Van Gogh jumped a confident round with an unfortunate rail at the final fence. Their jump off time was 43.132 seconds. Next in was Ryan Genn riding Dante’s Inferno, jumping clear with a jump off time of 44.105 seconds. Third to jump off was David Beisel and Call Me Hannes. The pair’s quick precision took them to a clear jump off time of just 41.220 seconds, landing them in first place. David’s cheering section showed even more delight for David’s Grand Prix win, and David shared in their celebrations as Call Me Hannes took a treat from his fan club.
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.