Wilmington, Ohio – It was a banner night for Kady Abrahamson (USA) as she returned to World Equestrian Center – Wilmington for the Top Bedding $30,000 Grand Prix of Winter Classic 16. Course designer Robert Barton (USA) crafted the tracks in the Standlee Sanctuary for the talented field of athletes, though none could best Abrahamson and her top mount, Any (Aljano x Nina XI).
Abrahamson, of Georgetown, Kentucky, is no stranger to the winner’s circle at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington and returned looking to find her place on top once again.
The 15-year-old Holsteiner mare easily mastered the task at hand and yielded an easy clear first round securing their place in the jump-off phase.
Abrahamson commented on her comeback this winter series, “I have only been back riding for just over two weeks now. I broke my ankle the first week that I was in Florida and my first grand prix back was two weeks ago with Any and she was really good, so that gave me the confidence that I needed to be back in the saddle again. Any was the first one that I rode, jumped and showed coming back. Jazil is only eight and this was her first ever grand prix and both of horse’s second show this year. There were a few places that I felt a little rusty but they both really took care of me.”
Returning for the jump-off phase as the second to go, Abrahamson guided her seasoned mare to a time of 35.572 seconds for the win. Aboard her eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, Jazil Du Houssoit (Peppermill x Gerboise Du Houssoit), she also secured fourth place honors.
“Any is older, and she knows how to do everything. She is very spooky and weird about traffic and things next to jumps. She is a bit alert about everything. She likes when the course is a bit thrown in her face, and if not, she gets a little strong. It was quite nice, and everything came up quickly. It rode quite difficult, but for my two it actually kept them thinking. They both think that they know more than me,” Abrahamson laughed.
Sam Pegg (CAN) of Ten Sixty Stables and Gin Tonic 158 (Graf Top x Sanjador) returned to the winner’s circle once again. The ten-year-old Hanoverian gelding jumped another blazing fast short course with Pegg in the irons, just short of the winning time. In 35.597 seconds, the duo secured second place.
Rounding out the podium was Keely McIntosh (USA) and Booth Show Jumper’s Inne Van De Plataan (Zurich x Fame Van De Plataan). McIntosh, of Georgetown, Kentucky, navigated a competitive double clear effort with the 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare and earned third place in 36.779 seconds.
$30,000 Top Bedding Grand Prix Results:
1 Any, Kady Abrahamson, Abrahamson Equestrian LLC | 0 | 35.572
2 Gin Tonic 158, Sam Pegg, Ten Sixty Stables | 0 | 35.597
3 Inne Van De Plataan, Keely McIntosh, Booth Show Jumpers | 0 | 36.779
4 Jazil Du Houssoit, Kady Abrahamson, Abrahamson Equestrian LLC | 0 | 37.479
5 Retroflex, Sarah Long, Alan Manning | 0 | 38.758
6 It’s Me Du Bosquetiau, Nicole Loochtan, Nicole Loochtan | 1 | 87.058
7 Kinsella, Charlotte Clark, Charlotte Clark | 4 | 80.221
8 La Perla VD Barbierbeek, Keely McIntosh, Booth Show Jumpers | 4 | 84.396
9 Formidable Diamant, Sam Pegg, Phyllis Harlow | 4 | 84.947
10 FortySix & 2, Lyriss Jaeger, Lyriss Jaeger | 6 | 88.236
Amy Krebs & Jabantos Score $10,000 Futures Prix Win at Winter Classic 16
Seventeen athletes kicked off jumper competition in the $10,000 Futures Prix early in Saturday evening in the Standlee Sanctuary at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington. Amy Krebs (CAN) ultimately scored her second prestigious win of the week as the youngest rider in the field.
Aboard her winningest mount, Jabantos (Corsari Van De Helle x Cassima), the young rider of Fair Chance Farm in Franklin, Tennessee, has set the tone for a successful summer season.
Showcasing experience beyond her years, Krebs guided her nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding to a jump-off time approximately three seconds faster than the second-place finisher.
“I did not think that I would win both classes this week,” laughed Krebs. “I felt really confident after my win in the welcome. I had another horse early in the class, so I had a better idea of the course and where I was going to go. I definitely made up time in the jump-off with the first inside turn. He will jump from anywhere, so I really felt confident with the turn.
Making an inside turn untried by the rest of the field, and leaving out a stride up to the combination, she effortlessly topped the leaderboard once again in 30.286 seconds.
Sarah Long (CAN) riding out of Kestrel Farms in Ontario, Canada, piloted Wildflower (Wildfire x Naiade Des Garins) to blazing fast second place. Long negotiated an early lead with the eight-year-old Canadian Sport Horse mare owned by Mark Hayes, racing to a time of 33.742 seconds. The duo held the lead until ultimately bested by Krebs, earning them the red ribbon.
Campbell Kahn (USA) rode to a great effort aboard her new ten-year-old Selle Francais gelding, Delta De Laume (Vagabond De La Pomme x Iena De Laume). The young rider of Chesterfield LLC stepped on the gas pedal as she moved into the jump-off phase, but fell just shy of second place. Galloping through the timers in 34.384 seconds, they rounded out the podium.
$10,000 Futures Prix Results
1 Jabantos, Amy Krebs, Amy Krebs | 0 | 30.286
2 Wildflower, Sarah Long, Mark Hayes | 0 | 33.724
3 Delta De Laume, Campbell Kahn, Tayo McLean | 0 | 34.384
4 Dominant Z, Christopher Schenk, Christopher Schenk | 0 | 34.412
5 TC Latina 262, Michaella Gerlacher, True Course | 0 | 41.763
6 A La Bonhuere, Lindsay Adams, Lindsay Adams | 0 | 43.894
7 Captain America 10, Luke Rinehart, Catherine Rinehart | 4 | 32.304
8 Play To Win, Amy Krebs, Amy Krebs | 4 | 32.495
9 HJ Blind Date, Molly Kindness, Molly Kindness | 4 | 35.516
10 Claas, Sam Pegg, Ten Sixty Stables | 8 | 38.229