Wilmington, Ohio – The beautifully decorated Sanctuary Arena at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington set the scene for top indoor show jumping competition in the $10,000 Welcome Stake during Winter Classic #7 of the Winter in the Midwest 2023 series. It was a banner day for Darby Pease (USA) as the young professional earned the win aboard Carel Van Donderen (Acolino x Terania Die Hoeghte) and piloted Cumbaya W (Cabardino x Elena W) to the red ribbon.
The inviting tracks were set by Bobby Murphy (USA) whose 12-obstacle first round course started with an oxer-vertical bending line coming toward the in gate to an immediate quick turn off the wall, challenging horse-and-athlete combinations to maintain their impulsion right out of the gate.
Pease, of Windcrest Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, piloted her first mount, Cumbaya W, to an easy double clear effort. As the third pair to try their hand at Murphy’s course, they held the lead through the entirety of the class until Pease came back to best her own performance. The 13-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by Hillary Gromus set a quick pace with a jump-off time of 36.879, ultimately securing the red ribbon.
Returning as the final entry, Pease piloted her most competitive mount, Carel Van Donderen, to the top of the leaderboard. The 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Louisa Robb boasts an impressive list of wins in the Sanctuary with Pease in the irons. Looking to find their place on top of the podium once again, Pease stepped on the gas pedal and stopped the clock in a blazing fast time of 34.777 to take the win.
“My plan on Teddy [Cumbaya W] was just to gallop through the turns and not touch the reins. I like to pull on him, but he can go really fast when I let him. So, my plan was to let him flow through the turns and have a nice double clear, which worked out well! On Carel [Carel Van Donderen], I just let him go do what he wanted! He is definitely the faster horse. He is quicker over the jumps, and he doesn’t jump as high as Teddy since he takes up so much airtime. I will do the grand prix on both of them again this Saturday,” Pease shared.
Charlotte Clark (USA) and Kinsella (Capitalist x Jerpoint Mist) rounded out the podium in the $10,000 Welcome Stake. As the second duo to tackle the class, Clark set the pace posting an immediate double clear effort. Clark, of Kendalwood Farm in Sunbury, Ohio, is familiar with spotlight in the Sanctuary as she has been a frequent WEC Ohio winner with her talented mount. The 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare entered the Sanctuary in top form, making light work of the track. Their jump-off time of 37.515 seconds was enough to earn third place honors.
$10,000 Welcome Stake Results:
1 Carel Van Donderen, Darby Pease, Louisa Robb | 0 | 34.777
2 Cumbaya W, Darby Pease, Hillary Gromus | 0 | 36.879
3 Kinsella, Charlotte Clark, Charlotte Clark | 0 | 37.515
4 Iconic, Lani Hutchison, Lani Hutchison | 4 | 37.825
5 Celeano VH Lindenhof Z, Heather Froehlich Cortell, Emily Kowit | 4 | 38.529
6 Zendaya, Lanie Thomas, Neil Badcock | 4 | 75.090
7 Vinetta M, Ashley Hartman, Ashley Hartman | 4 | 78.791
8 Fortysix & 2, Lyriss Jaeger, Lyriss Jaeger | 4 | 80.265