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Wilmington, OH – Despite torrential rain storms, World Equestrian Center kicked off another week of exciting spring hunter/jumper action. Feature jumper class excitement began this afternoon with the $10,000 Welcome Stake 1.35m in the Sanctuary arena.
Bobby Murphy of Lexington Kentucky designed the track that rewarded forwarded riding and big-strided approaches to fences and neat turns in the jump-off. Six riders managed to advance to the jump-off, but a tight 88-second time allowed and unfortunate rails left many out of the top placings.
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Darby Pease, who held the lead for much of the class, and Kevin McCarthy delivered the only double clear rounds.
Pease of Windcrest Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, and Cumbaya W (Cabardino x Elena W) finished with blue-ribbon honors in the $10,000 Welcome Stake 1.35m. The young professional and 12-year-old Chestnut Warmblood gelding topped the standards and raced through the timers at 84.378 seconds in the first round and 42.609 seconds in the jump-off.
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Pease used Cumbaya W’s big stride and effortless jumping style to her advantage. “The course was great for Teddy (Cumbaya W)! He is honestly a bit of a slower horse but he has a huge step. Jumping courses that incorporate long stretches of galloping is so fun for him.”
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Kevin McCarthy of K&K Sporthorses in Lexington, Kentucky, and Catch A Star HSS (Sheraton x Tolinda) were in top form to take home second place against a competitive field of 16 entries. McCarthy and the scopey Swedish Warmblood mare negotiated the course near-perfectly to notch times of 87.113 seconds through round one and 43.605 seconds on the short course.
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Jack Towell of Camden, South Carolina, and Florida N (Calrimo x F-Landeee) were on their way to top the leaderboard until an unfortunate rail came down in the final round. The duo secured a fast time of 84.607 seconds in round one and 40.748 seconds and four faults in the jump-off for third place.
$10,000 WEC Welcome Stake 1.35m Results:
- Cumbaya W, Darby Pease: 0 | 0 | 42.609
- Catch A Star HSS, Kevin McCarthy: 0 | 0 | 43.605
- Florida N, Jack Towell: 0 | 4 | 40.748
- Maraca LS La Silla, Kady Abrahamson: 0 | 4 | 41.125
- Harmonie L, Sam Berry: 0 | 8 | 41.690
- Snow White, Natalie Thornell: 0 | 8 | 46.835
- Emerald City, Kady Abrahamson: 1 | 88.391
- Jamiroquai, Natalie Thornell: 1 | 88.898
- Carel Van Donderen, Darby Pease: 4 | 82.871
- Nightshade SCF, Sarah R. Meier: 4 | 83.685
See you this summer!
This sizzling spring and summer series brings you five weeks of USEF-rated hunter/jumper competition and more than $625,000 in prize money. Stalls can be reserved on horseshowing.com.
The World Equestrian Center – Wilmington 2022 Spring/Summer shows include the following remaining dates and ratings:
- Summer 1 USEF “Regional 1 (B)” Level 3 July 13-17
- Summer 2 USEF Premier Level 4 July 20-24
- Summer 3 USEF Premier Level 4 & HJAM Medal Finals Aug 10-14
Summer 3 is hosted in conjunction with the Hunter Jumper Association of Michigan Medal Finals – featuring 7 medal finals classes.