Week II of World Equestrian Center – Wilmington’s 2022 Fall Classic Show Series showcased another full week of top-level equestrian sport. Young professional Darby Pease secured her first ever grand prix victory in Saturday afternoon’s $50,000 WEC Grand Prix aboard Carel Van Donderen. Richard Rinehart managed to sore back-to-back wins in the $10,000 WEC Futures Prix. Read on for additional highlights from the week.
Darby Pease (USA) and Louisa Robb’s Carel Van Donderen won the $50,000 WEC – Wilmington Grand Prix.
“I am still in shock. While I was riding the short course, all I thought to myself was, ‘Go faster and don’t touch the reins.’ There were so many talented riders tonight, so I knew winning was going to be a long shot, but that wasn’t going to stop me from trying. It also means so much to have my first grand prix victory at WEC. I have been showing here for three or four years now, and I barely go anywhere else.”
Richard Rinehart and Ron Caraway’s Vincent won the $10,000 WEC – Wilmington Futures Prix.
“I decided to pass on the inside turn to the double combination. Vincent is very careful and doesn’t like to jump combinations off the short turn, so my plan was to have a solid foot speed around the course.”
Hillary Johnson and Stephanie Battershall’s Blue Monday captured the top prize in the $10,000 USHJA National 3′ Open Hunter Derby. The pair earned scores of 88 and 92.
“He’s an absolute blast to ride in the derbies. This is his career; he does the derbies with me, and his owner/mother is hoping to make her show ring debut this winter competing in the crossrail or long stirrup classes. He loves both jobs and does them very well.”
Nicole Lyvere and Haribo were victorious in the $10,000 USHJA National 3′ Non-Pro Hunter Derby.
“I knew Gummy could do all the inside turns. He’s very athletic but lazy, so I am able to land and turn well. I knew the turn after the first jump, was going to be a bit of a challenge, but he stayed right with me.”
Sean Jobin (CAN) and Eric De La Chenee took the blue ribbon in the $15,000 WEC – Wilmington Welcome Stake
“[Eric De La Chenee] is a very athletic horse. We have had him for about year. We love his attitude and willingness. Out of all of the horses in my string, he suits me very well. He is extremely fast across the ground and over the jumps. It’s been a slow and steady progress with him, but he just keeps showing us how talented he is.”
Alexander Adkins rode Completto owned by Brittany Roberts to victory during Saturday’s $3,500 Non Pro 2’6” Hunter Derby.
Catherine Eberly and her own Mr. Brightside conquered the $2,500 WEC Pony/Children’s Pony Hunter Derby.
Congratulations to everyone another successful week of horse showing!