Wilmington, Ohio – Sixteen elite athletes met in the Sanctuary Arena Thursday evening at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington for the $10,000 Welcome Stake. The star-studded lineup attempted Robert Barton’s (USA) tracks with seven partnerships qualifying for the immediate jump-off phase. None could catch Charlotte Clark (USA) and her own Kinsella (Capitalist x Jerpoint Mist) as they claimed a sweet victory in the first featured class of Winter Classic 12.
As frequent visitors to the winner’s circle at WEC Ohio, the longtime duo mastered the technicalities of the track with ease and posted an unbeatable double clear effort as the fifth to go in the order.
Clark shared on her thoughts on the jump-off track, “When I walked the course, I actually didn’t think that it suited us very well. Kinsey is really quick across the ground, but sometimes I have a hard time, especially in left turns. I thought that jumps one-to-two in the jump-off could be a bit hard for her because it was oxer-to-oxer, but I thought she did it very well. She is so careful and quick with her feet that she was able to do the combination even though it was set short. I have been close, but not the winner for a while so I think it was due!”
Clark, of Kendalwood Farm in Sunbury, Ohio, piloted her 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare to a time of 32.837 seconds in the short course. The duo found their place at the top of the podium once again in picture-perfect style and unmatched speed.
Winner of last week’s $30,000 Grand Prix, Sam Pegg (CAN) rode to the red ribbon on one of his multiple mounts in the class, Formidable Diamant (Diamant De Semilly x Nobel Lady). The promising eight-year-old Selle Francias gelding owned by Phyllis Harlow rose to the challenge for a double clear effort and a jump-off time of 33.383 seconds leaving the duo just shy of Clark’s winning time.
Angel Munoz Gil (ESP) and Spy Coast Farm’s Octavius SCF (Diktator Van De Boslandhoeve x Beluga) rounded out the podium. The nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding impressed with his incredibly careful form, stopping the jump-off timer at 35 seconds to add a prestigious podium placing to his record.
$10,000 Welcome Stake Results:
1 Kinsella, Charlotte Clark, Charlotte Clark | 0 | 32.837
2 Formidable Diamant, Sam Pegg, Phyllis Harlow | 0 | 33.383
3 Octavius SCF, Angel Munoz Gil, Spy Coast Farm | 0 | 35.00
4 Claas, Sam Pegg, Ten Sixty Stables | 0 | 35.206
5 One In A Million SCF, Angel Munoz Gil, Spy Coast Farm | 4 | 32.794
6 Caveman Z, Michael Janson, Kimberly Janson | 4 | 35.398
7 Chaccomo 11, Drew Arnold, Theresa Kraft | 8 | 34.326
8 Cubscout BG, Christopher Ferralez-Straub, Christopher Ferralez-Straub | 1 | 88.589
9 Jabantos, Amy Krebs, Amy Krebs | 4 | 78.471
10 Play To Win, Amy Krebs, Amy Krebs | 4 | 79.940
Make sure to visit the WEC Blog and follow us on social media @worldequestriancenter for full coverage on all feature classes!
Results can be found at HorseShowing.com.
All horse show images are provided by Winslow Photography and can be purchased onsite at WEC – Wilmington or online through their website.