It was another week of exciting equestrian sport at the World Equestrian Center as we hit the halfway mark in our Fall Series with Fall III. Temperatures dropped over the week, bringing with them the true feeling of Fall. Continuing in the Fall theme, the entire World Equestrian Center was decked out in harvest-themed décor. Pumpkins, mums, and corn stalks lined the arenas and walkways, creating the perfect backdrop for Fall inspired photo ops. With the close of another week of the Fall Series brings Trainer Awards leader updates! Jennifer Edwards still sits at the top of the leaderboard with 733 points that she earned in the first two shows of the Fall Series (which were double pointed), followed by Linda Radigan with 599 points, who is closely tailed by David Beisel with 557 points. Remember, this coming week, the WEC Fall Classic, is your last chance to earn points toward the Fall Series Trainer Awards of $10,000 in prize money!
Events were aplenty this weekend, bringing even more fun to the show. Michael Rotundo played in the Paddock Club Friday night, and if you weren’t there, you missed out on a great performance. He began with playing a few country covers, then, prompted by the audience, played a little acoustic R&B, and even wrapped up with some Cardi B! Be sure to check the WEC Newsletter each week, because you won’t want to miss Michael the next time he performs at WEC. Saturday night’s events consisted of a delicious create-your-own taco bar during the Grand Prix, followed by some serious competition in the dog races! Some doggos preferred to jump the horse jumps, like the athletic “Bad Boy Brady” owned by WEC horse show veterinarian, Holly Helbig.
As for the other four-legged competitors, it was a take-all weekend for David Beisel’s mounts. The winning streak started Friday afternoon when David and Christina Tenhundfeld’s Tornade Vebe stole the win the the $2500 USHJA National Hunter Derby with a total score of 167. The winning continued into Saturday afternoon, first in the Futures Prix 1.30 m, where David went 1-2-3 with Elizabeth Gillmore’s With a Little Help Sir, Rev Media Marketing, LLC’s Five Star, and Makayla Weber’s La Dolce Vita VDL. Into the WEC Grand Prix 1.40 m, David took first on Phyllis Harlow’s Call Me Hannes. Way to kill it, David!
We saw plenty of fantastic rides throughout the weekend in all rings. On Saturday afternoon, ten entries vied for the win in the Non Pro Hunter Derby 2’6”. Competition was fierce, but it was Amelia Sawalich stole the show on her own Della. Amelia was all smiles as she accepted her awards.
Great job and congratulations to everyone competing at World Equestrian Center during the Fall Series III show, and we’ll see you later this week for the WEC Fall Classic!
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.