Wilmington, Ohio – World Equestrian Center – Wilmington played host to the coveted WEC Medal Final during week two of the Midwest Indoors series. The WEC Medal was open to junior and adult riders who are current active members of US Equestrian (USEF). Riders qualified for the finals during World Equestrian Center – Wilmington shows from December 1, 2021, through November 1, 2022. Two competitive groups of riders met in the R+L Annex Arena to ride for championship honors in their respective sections. Elaina Davis prevailed in the WEC Ohio Medal Final 3’, 3’6”, while Delanie Borders took top honors in the WEC Ohio Medal Final 2’, 2’6”. The winner of each final received a brand new GOTRAX Electric Scooter. The winning trainers also received a special prize. In addition, a wild card prize was awarded to one trainer involved in the class.
Joseph Carnicom (USA) set an inviting, yet challenging course for the field of equitation riders. The first question asked was a long, related bending line to an immediate rollback. In each section, the top twelve riders over fences were called back to ride on the flat to further demonstrate their technique. Ultimately it was Elaina C. Davis who took top honors in the WEC Ohio Medal Final 3’, 3’6”, while Delanie Borders led the way in the WEC Ohio Medal Final 2’, 2’6”.
Davis of Oxford, Ohio, rode Sarah Oelerich’s No Worries to a textbook equitation round. “No Worries is homebred from Sarah’s farm. She is amazing and I love her so much. She aims to please and it is such a pleasure to ride such an awesome horse. I have leased her for two years and I plan to finish out my junior years with her.”
The duo answered all the questions asked of them in Carnicom’s track, qualifying them for the flat phase of competition. Davis guided the 13-year-old American Warmblood mare to the base of each element in perfect form, setting them up for a beautiful rollback turn to the one-stride combination, which proved to be the most difficult part of the track for the field of riders.
“I had no expectations going in today. I went in and I was very nervous that she would be spooky, but she was awesome, and I just wanted to go in and have fun. It is like home here and we are planning to show here all winter.”
At the conclusion of each phase of competition, Davis landed in the winner’s circle with a smile from ear to ear.
Not far behind Davis was Hannah Buffington of Deerfield, New Hampshire. Buffington showcased her well-practiced skills over fences and on the flat. After perfecting each bending line in the track, she returned to impress the judges with her equitation through the sitting trot and collected canter to claim the red ribbon. Elizabeth Rinehart, returning to World Equestrian Center – Wilmington from her debut in the equitation at the National Horse Show, rounded out the top three.
WEC Ohio Medal Final 3’, 3’6”
1. Elaina Davis, No Worries, Sarah Oelerich
2. Hannah Buffington, Just An Illusion D’hof-Ten-Bos, Sara Buffington
3. Elizabeth Rinehart, Billy Cromwell, Elizabeth Rinehart
4. Ainsley Russell, Budapest, Ainsley Russell
5. Kitty Walters, Prince L, ThinksLikeAHorse
6. Sydney Wicklund, KEC Caragh Lake, Sydney Wicklund
7. Ellie Welte, Saudade, Jamie M. Barkhau
8. Olivia Wiatr, Grenadier Top, Oliva Wiatr
9. Karrington Hall, Leonardo Da Vincent, Karrington Hall
10. Leighton Goldberg, Cristiano, Leighton Goldberg
Delanie Borders Secure WEC Ohio Medal Final 2’, 2’6” at Midwest Indoors II
In the WEC Ohio Medal Final 2’, 2’6” class, Borders of Columbus, Ohio topped the competitive field of 23 equitation riders on Cornets Design. Piloting her own six-year-old Warmblood gelding at their third horse show together, she demonstrated experience beyond their years.
Borders, trained by Jamie Mills of Empress Valley Farm, made light work of the challenges presented to her in the over fences to set her up for success moving into the flat phase.
“Otto [Cornets Design] is such a team player. Over fences I was just focused on keeping a consistent pace. I was a bit nervous about the two bending lines because the came up quick, but they ended up working out really well for me,” comments Borders.
Ava Roof and Empire’s Sun rose to the challenge to take home the red ribbon. Executing textbook equitation throughout the tough rollback, Roof qualified for the top twelve to test on the flat. Her performance secured her a second-place finish.
Rounding out the top three in WEC Ohio Medal Final 2’, 2’6” was Annala Fricke. Fricke sat atop her own 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding Mr. Willoughby to finish in third place.
“It was a pleasure to create this inaugural class that we founded here at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington. We created the WEC Premier Cup, and we are happy to continue the tradition and offer another level of medal classes to the riders here. We look forward to continuing this tradition for years to come,” remarks WEC – Wilmington General Manager, TJ Campbell on the WEC Ohio Medal Final.
WEC Ohio Medal Final 2’, 2’6”
1. Delanie Borders, Corents Design, Delanie Borders
2. Ava Roof, Empire’s Sun, Ava Roof
3. Annala Fricke, Mr. Willoughby, Annala Fricke
4. Larissa Paduchick, Belucci, Stonegate Equine Facility LTD
5. Clayre Elick, Northwind Sentimental, Owen Parsons
6. Ellie Martin, Lavana, Elizabeth Rinehart
7. Chloe Shea, Neverland, Chloe Shea
8. Jennifer Iwick, Rico, Kim Carey
9. Ava Heath, Princess Fancy Feet, Chloe Bender
10. Zoe Johnson, Chandler Z, Helen Julianov
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.
Photos courtesy of Winslow Photography
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