Izzy Beisel Wins First $30,000 WEC Grand Prix Aboard Diaz Barbotiere

*Vinni the Mini during his opening act performance. Photo courtesy of Winslow Photography.*

This evening’s $30,000 WEC Grand Prix opened up with a special performance by Vinni the Mini and Leigha Schrader of Days End Farm Horse Rescue. The Days End Farm Horse Rescue is a nationally renowned nonprofit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation of horses in need. Their 5-year-old ambassador, Vinni the Mini, was seized by animal control in 2018 and has since completed the DEFHR rehabilitation program. He now serves as a spokespony for rescue horses everywhere.

World Equestrian Center is proud to support DEFHR – Visit their website at DEFHR.org to get involved and show your support.

*Jumping to win the $30,000 WEC Grand Prix. Photo courtesy of Winslow Photography.*

Izzy Beisel put on a heart-stopping show tonight as the 14-year-old junior rider stepped up to conquer the $30,000 WEC Grand Prix aboard Diaz Barbotiere (Messire Ardent x Quambera Barbotiere), a nine-year-old Selle Francais gelding. Coached by her father, Grand Prix rider David Beisel, she set off for an evening of success winning her first ever Grand Prix.

Beisel and the speedy bay held the leading time through each round, stopping the clock at 61.083 seconds in round one before later returning for the jump-off.

*Team Beisel and friends proudly stand in the winner’s circle. Photo courtesy of Winslow Photography.*

When asked how it feels to win her first Grand Prix, Izzy replied, “It’s a lot of fun! I want to thank everyone for their help and the opportunity to ride such amazing horses. I love this horse in particular and we tease him a lot because he is originally from France. We give him cute French nicknames and we always talk to him in a French accent. I think he likes it! He has been a blast to ride – I take him for bareback rides all of the time and we even jump bareback. He is so kind, so much fun and very fast!”

Izzy relied on Diaz’s automatic turning style and push-button speed control to navigate through the short round and secure the 35.854-second winning time to lead them directly into the winner’s circle.

*Rinehart rides to second place. Photo courtesy of Winslow Photography.*

Next in the lineup was Richard L. Rinehart and Diane P. Masters’ Light Show (Quasimodo Z x Predente) taking the reserve placing in the $30,000 WEC Grand Prix. The sporty bay proved his greatness once again, delivering a smooth run in the first round at 66.480 seconds and later returning to complete the jump-off in a quick 36.190 seconds to secure second place honors.

*Bash and Jackson VDL claim third. Photo courtesy of Winslow Photography.*

Rounding out the top three placings were Megan Bash of Cleveland Equestrian and Jackson VDL (Zirocco Blue VDL x Design O). The pair stopped the timers in 64.806 seconds in round one, before returning and laying down a 37.221 second beautiful attempt in the jump-off to take home third place.

$30,000 WEC Grand Prix Results:

Diaz Barbotiere, Izzy Beisel: 0 | 0 | 35.854
Light Show, Richard Rinehart: 0 | 0 | 36.190
Jackson VDL, Megan Bash: 0 | 0 | 37.221
Cumbaya W, Darby Pease: 0 | 0 | 38.229
Carel Van Doneren, Darby Pease: 4 | 65.020 Vitalize® Blazin’ Fastest Four-Faulter Award
Jarocco Blue, Sam Berry: 4 | 65.053
Harmonie L, Sam Berry: 4 | 65.108
Jamiroquai, Natalie Thornell: 4 | 66.952
Henrik Wildricks, Richard Rinehart: 4 | 67.239
Snow White, Natalie Thornell: 8 | 64.977

Richard Rinehart and Captain America Soar to $10,000 Futures Prix Victory

*Rinehart and Captain America ride to victory! Photo courtesy of Winslow Photography.*

Captain America and rider Richard Rinehart of Carmel, Indiana, reached rewarding heights during this afternoon’s $10,000 WEC Futures Prix. The pair now holds several Futures Prix wins under their belt and today performed up to their usual speedy standards.

*Another exciting trip to the winner’s circle for the Rinehart’s. Photo courtesy of Winslow Photography.*

We caught up with Rinehart after his winning round. “I’ve owned this horse since he was only a few months old, so it is quite special to win and be successful with him. Our first round came up differently than I had hoped. We rubbed a rail pretty bad early on in the course. The jump-off went wonderfully and there was no slowing down once we knocked the dust off. We gave it full speed and he rode great to take the win.”

Rinehart and the eight-year-old bay gelding had winning on their mind, clocking in at 70.886 seconds in round one and 36.003 seconds in the jump-off, riding clear all-around and taking home the $10,000 WEC Futures Prix win.

*Fenn and Pease take second. Photo courtesy of Winslow Photography.*

Sliding into second place was Darby Pease and Tyson Ziebarth’s Fenn, clocking in clear through both rounds, securing times of 72.037 seconds in the qualifier and 38.567 seconds in jump-off.

*Izzy Beisel claims third. Photo courtesy of Winslow Photography.*

Izzy Beisel and Harlow Investment’s Formidable Diamant rounded out the $10,000 WEC Futures Prix’s top three placings, riding clear and reaching times of 70.170 and 39.601 seconds.

$10,000 WEC Futures Prix Results: