Wilmington, Ohio – Show jumping competition of Winter Classic #9 reached a pinnacle at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Saturday evening with the $30,000 Grand Prix. Competition was strong as seven athletes attempted master FEI level III course designer Anderson Lima’s (BRA) first round track to qualify for the short-course. Ultimately, junior Izzy Beisel (USA) emerged victorious against the seasoned group of athletes aboard her own Diaz Barbotiere (Messire Ardent x Quambera Barbotiere).
Lima’s technical first round track tested the elite field of horse-and-athlete combinations as half the field returned to test their horses speed and athleticism in the jump-off phase.
Beisel of David Beisel Stables spoke on her successful jump-off plan, “Diaz is already naturally really fast. My dad [David Beisel] wanted me to ride it like the first round and have a nice canter to start and find the jumps out of a nice big pace. We went off that plan a bit from one to two. I landed and floated the reins a bit and I saw the distance from far away and he was right with me the whole time. By the end I was planning to just go clear. I got deep to the skinny in the corner and he backed off so nicely. I landed and saw it, and I knew that he would take his time. He put in a bit of extra effort for me over the last two!”
The auspicious young rider saw no challenge in the task at hand and her efforts yielded two fluid clear efforts. The ten-year-old Selle Francias gelding was in sync with Beisel every step of the way, and carried her to an early lead in the jump-off phase.
Stopping the clock in 38.786 seconds, the duo claimed their second grand prix win together.
Winner of the $30,000 Grand Prix of Winter Classic #8, Nicole Loochtan (USA) of Stone Creek Stables in Lexington, Kentucky, rode to second place honors. The nine-year-old Belgian Sport Horse stallion, It’s Me Du Bosquetiau (Dayton Sitte x Mirette Du Bosqueatiau), has made a name for himself in the Sanctuary and never fails to impress with his incredible efforts. The new duo posted a time of 41.309 seconds to earn another podium finish.
Shawn Butler (CAN) of Butler Show Horses in Coldwater, Ontario, piloted his own BSH Matinee to the yellow ribbon. The careful mare laid down a consistent first round to secure their place in the jump-off. A fault free effort and a time of 48.199 seconds earned the pair third place in the prestigious class.
$30,000 Grand Prix Results:
1 Diaz Barbotiere, Izzy Beisel, Izzy Beisel | 0 | 38.786
2 It’s Me Du Bosquetiau, Nicole Loochtan, Nicole Loochtan | 0 | 41.309
3 BSH Matinee, Shawn Butler, Shawn Butler | 0 | 48.199
4 VDL Maverick, Luis F. Saenz, Amanda Harris | 4 | 39.303
5 Iconic, Lani Hutchison, Lani Hutchison | 4 | 41.010
6 Chaccomo 11, Drew Arnold, Theresa Kraft | 8 | 45.677
7 Cumbaya W, Darby Pease, Hillary Gromus | 0 | 76.851
8 Conquest, Devin Milan, Garo Kazan | 4 | 74.676
9 Carel Van Donderen, Darby Pease, Louisa Robb | 4 | 75.192
10 Jadina, Kevin McCarthy, Sweet Oak Farm | 8 | 77.538
Darby Pease & Fenn Soar to Win in the $10,000 Futures Prix at WEC Ohio Winter Classic 9
The $10,000 Futures Prix kicked off show jumping action in the Sanctuary Arena early Saturday evening. Thirteen horse-and-athlete combinations took to Lima’s flowing track, but none could catch Darby Pease (USA) and Fenn’s (Eldorado Van De Zeshoek x Odin) incredibly quick time.
Pease, of Windcrest Farm, was the second to go in the order and navigated a seamless first round effort to move onto the immediate jump-off phase. The duo set an immediate quick pace for the rest of the field.
“Fenn is full of sass. She likes everything to be done her way and as long as you do it her way, it works out for the best! She has definitely taught me to be patient and cognizant of what the horse wants and what the horse needs. I am very grateful to her owner for letting me continue working with and figure out what makes her happy and what makes her thrive. Tyson Ziebarth owns her, and he used to ride with Teri [Knowlton] a long time ago when he did the junior jumpers in California. He fully trusts us with her which is so cool and Fenn is so fun,” Pease shared about her winning mount Fenn.
The fiery 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Tyson Ziebarth raced around the short-course in careful form to an unbeatable time of 34.025 seconds to sit atop the leaderboard.
Devin Milan (USA) of Ann Arbor, Michigan, entered the arena as the fifth to go aboard Garo Kazan’s Karlina T (Cabrio Van De Heffinck x Goberlina T) and looked to surpass Pease’s blazing fast time. The expressive seven-year-old KWPN mare set a promising tone for her future, posting an easy double clear. The pair negotiated a jump-off time of 36.589 seconds, falling short of the leading time to walk away with the red ribbon.
Rounding out the podium was Cooper Beisel (USA) and his longtime partner Azealia (Quintero x Salma). The 15-year-old Holsteiner mare impressed the crowd with her incredible efforts over the track. Beisel of David Beisel Stables in Goshen, Ohio, guided the mare to a time of 37.761 seconds to take third place honors and secure yet another top finish.
$10,000 Futures Prix Results:
1 Fenn, Darby Pease, Tyson Ziebarth | 0 | 34.025
2 Karlina T, Devin Milan, Garo Kazan | 0 | 36.589
3 Azealia, Cooper Beisel, David Beisel | 0 | 37.761
4 Kamorka S, Darby Pease, Darby Pease | 0 | 38.695
5 Bahntina, Chelsea Francis, Gina Filewicz | 4 | 41.743
6 K T Miel, Claire Austin, Michael Kirby | 8 | 33.316
7 449 Bravo Zulu, Lynsey Whitacre, Lynsey Whitacre | 4 | 63.855
8 Honey Girl, Ragen McGowan, Keely O’Hara | 4 | 66.053
9 Kasandra, Michael Janson, Kimberly Janson | 4 | 66.179
10 Easton, Kevin McCarthy, Kevin McCarthy | 4 | 67.242