Wilmington, Ohio – It was until the final horse-and-rider combination that a clear round was produced in the $20,000 Grand Prix on Sunday morning of World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Spring I. FEI level IV course designer Alan Wade (IRL) crafted a track that out of 16 entries, only Kevin Gallagher (IRL) found the path to success aboard Conor Swail’s Echonix (Aganix Du Seigneur x Echo Peach).
The 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse stallion is a brand-new addition to Gallagher’s string at Marigot Bay Farm, just joining the team last Monday.
“I just got the horse last week and this is my first class on him,” he laughed. “I knew him as a three-year-old and rode him a bit as a four-year-old. I always thought a lot of him, and it is nice to get my leg around him and not only win our first class, but our first grand prix together. He was brilliant.”
Friends and fans crowded the in-gate rooting for a fault-free effort as Gallagher cantered in as the final in the posted order.
“It was a really well-built course by Alan [Wade]. It rode very well, there were a lot of people who only knocked off one rail. It was brilliant to go last, and I knew if I just jumped clear I could win it!”
With a barn full of young talent and horses stepping into international competition, Gallagher and his team at Marigot Bay have found classes for everyone at WEC – Wilmington.
“We love coming here and we want to come here even more. It is incredible now to have added the FEI and have such good prize money this week and next week. Hopefully we can get some more dates for next year,” he shared. “The young horse and amateur classes are always great. There is always a good course designer here. It is wonderful for training and a great place to come and try and be competitive.”
Erika Thornell (USA) and Loveland Equine Investment’s eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, Minerva WB (Ledarco De Septon x Eleanor), were the fastest four faulters in 68.099 seconds to take second place.
Emily Reder rounded out the top three with her own 10-year-old Selle Francais mare, Favorite Du Chateau (Kannan x Javotte Du Chateau), with four faults in 69.179 seconds.
$20,000 Grand Prix Results:
1 Echonix, Kevin Gallagher, Conor Swail | 0 | 70.062
2 Minerva WB, Erika Thornell, Loveland Equine Investments | 4 | 68.099
3 Favorite Du Chateau, Emily Reder, Emily Reder | 4 | 69.179
4 Comme Cartani, Sam Pegg, Sam Pegg | 4 | 70.543
5 Labyrinth, Sarah Sturges, Sarah Sturges LLC | 4 | 70.56
6 Boudika Ideal Home, Georgia Bouzaid, Abrahamson Equestrian LLC | 4 | 70.964
7 Ninja BF, Kevin Gallagher, Richard Kirby | 4 | 71.179
8 Nightshade SCF, Sarah Meier, Sarah Meier | 4 | 71.789
9 Rhumba Jw-Van De Moerhoeve, Kady Abrahamson, Nicole Carter | 4 | 72.013
10 Chapo O, Loic Cannaert, Orpen Horses | 7 | 75.356