Wilmington, OHIO – Cheering fans filled the Sanctuary Arena grandstands for exciting Saturday-night jumper action. Fans were not disappointed as twenty-one top professional and amateur riders raced against the clock, all vying for the $30,000 World Equestrian Center Grand Prix win.
Eight riders advanced to the jump-off and just five went double-clear on Bobby Murphy’s technical courses, but none could catch Kady Abrahamson and Vancouver (Valentino x Cocco).
“This was Vancouver’s first WEC Grand Prix win! I’m so happy,” Kady exclaimed as she chatted ringside with WEC.
Abrahamson, of Georgetown, KY, and the thirteen-year-old gelding played it safe in the first round, carefully navigating the course to stop the clock at 79.394 seconds, just under the 81-second time allowed.
Last to ride the short course, Abrahamson had spectators on the edge of their seats. Vancouver’s tight inside turns and pace paired with Abrahamson’s clever riding, landed the duo in the winner’s circle in a lightning-fast 36.975 seconds.
“Tonight’s first course was definitely not made for him, but we persevered and got through it. The jump-off was his all day! He is huge and a hot-blooded horse and it fit his style so well. He’s so in-tune with me, which allowed him to turn on a dime. I also had a lot of leave-outs through the lines and it worked out perfectly.”, mentioned Abrahamson.
Ireland’s Simon McCarthy and Don’t Touch Du Bois (Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Virginia) earned second-place honors . McCarthy and the thirteen-year-old Belgian Sport Horse notched a clear first round in 76.970 seconds. The jump-off brought great luck as they quickly soared over each fence to finish clear in 37.444 seconds.
Jumping into the third-place ranking was Richard Rinehart and Ron Caraway’s Vincent (Van Gogh x Nirande). Rinehart navigated two seamless rounds, clocking 76.441 seconds in round one and a tidy clear in 40.020 seconds in the jump-off.
$30,000 World Equestrian Center Grand Prix Results:
- Vancouver, Kady Abrahamson: 0 | 0 | 36.975
- Don’t Touch Du Bois, Simon McCarthy: 0 | 0 | 37.444
- Vincent, Richard L. Rinehart: 0 | 0 | 40.020
- Happysina, Taylor St. Jacques: 0 | 0 | 40.212
- Catch A Star HSS, Kevin McCarthy: 0 | 0 | 40.802
- Jakilly, Taylor St. Jacques: 0 | 4 | 39.919
- Cumbaya W, Darby Pease: 0 | 4 | 47.432
- FF Blade Runner, Jill Gaffney: 0 | 22 | 69.248
- Banco Du Moulin, Kady Abrahamson: 4 | 73.521
- Kinsella, Charlotte Clark: 4 | 73.938
Darby Pease Dominates $10,000 WEC Futures Prix 1.30m Aboard Carel Van Donderen
Returning once again to claim a $10,000 WEC Futures Prix title, Darby Pease and Carel Van Donderen (Acolino 4 x Terania DIe Hoeghte) topped this afternoon’s leaderboard.
Pease of Windcrest Farm in Lexington, KY, diligently piloted the fifteen-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding through a challenging 14-effort Futures Prix. The jump-off offered several options for inside turns, which Pease incorporated as part of her winning strategy.
The pair managed a clear first round, clocking in at 76.393 seconds, advancing directly to the short course.
They caught their breath before galloping through the jump-off track, leaving all rails up and stopping the clock at 35.085 seconds for the win.
WEC chatted with Pease on the walk back to the barns. “The jump-off had some degree of difficulty and so many options. You could make it quickly through the inside turns or be quick by going around and covering more ground. Going into the class, I was unsure of my decision, but we decided to just go for it and opt for the inside turn and it paid off!”
Junior Ashley Stumm and her own Ismael (Numero Uno) yielded two quick rounds to finish with second-place honors. She and the speedy nine-year-old dark bay gelding notched times of 76.082 seconds in the first round and 36.919 seconds in the jump-off.
Cleveland Equestrian’s Megan Bash and Jackson VDL (Zirocco Blue VDL x Design O) cleared each round with zero faults at 74.812 seconds and 37.220 seconds to finish in third place.
$10,000 WEC Futures Prix Results:
- Carel Van Donderen, Darby Pease: 0 | 0 | 35.085
- Ismael, Ashley Stumm: 0 | 0 | 36.919
- Jackson VDL, Megan Bash: 0 | 0 | 37.220
- Balveneur Z, Linda G. Radigan: 0 | 0 | 37.595
- Gyloma, Erika Thornell: 0 | 0 | 37.891
- Cicero’s Electric, Alliy Moyer: 0 | 0 | 38.506
- Frankenstein, Laura A. Hauser: 0 | 0 | 41.035
- Chaccomo 11, Drew Arnold: 0 | 0 | 41.214
- Jamiroquai, Natalie Thornell: 0 | 0 | 41.492
- K T Miel, Claire Austin: 0 | 4 | 34.892
Photos courtesy of Winslow Photography.
About World Equestrian Center
World Equestrian Center features two premiere equestrian and multidisciplinary venues in Ocala, Florida, and Wilmington, Ohio.
These exclusive facilities comprise state-of-the-art arenas, expansive stadiums, versatile outdoor space, sporting fields and well-appointed exposition centers. An abundance of lodging options and luxury accommodations are conveniently located on-site, along with shopping and dining throughout each property.
Dedicated to offering great sport and fun in a family-friendly environment, World Equestrian Center promises an unparalleled experience for exhibitors, spectators, vendors, sponsors and retailers built on three core values: Quality. Class. Distinction.