Wilmington, Ohio – The $50,000 Buckeye Nutrition Grand Prix was the highlight event Saturday afternoon at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC) Fall Classic I. A talented field of horse-and-athlete combinations tried their hand at Bobby Murphy’s tracks, with only three advancing to the jump-off.
Loic Cannaert (BEL) led the pack over the short course and ultimately posted the only double clear effort of the evening to secure the win.
Cannaert spoke highly of Orpen Horses’ winning mount Ultimately Cooley (O.B.O.S Quality 004 x Tiamo Diamant), “I have had Cooley for a while now. I have done some big classes and big shows with him. He has been so incredible for me. He has taught me so much. He deserved this win. He always gives 100 percent. I am very grateful that the owners give me the opportunity.”
Riding for Declan and Cassandra Opren of Orpen Horses, Cannaert was surrounded by an outpouring of support as he led the victory gallop.
“They are the best team. The chances and the support that Declan and Cassandra [Orpen] give me is unbelievable. They have done so much for me and I could never have dreamed to have people to support me like this. They are the best.”
Securing a fault free round in 34.395 seconds, Cannaert and the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding claimed victory.
Second place finishers in Thursday’s Welcome Stake, Tina Robinson (USA) and her own eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, Quetza Hero & DB (Baloubet Du Rouet x Mokka Hero P&V), earned their second red ribbon of the week with an unfortunate four fault score in 35.825 seconds.
Molly Kindness (USA) and her own nine-year-old Warmblood mare, HJ Blind Date (Quindao x Tupasy Cordada), earned third place with four faults in 38.675 seconds.
$50,000 Buckeye Nutrition Grand Prix Results:
1 Ultimately Cooley, Loic Cannaert, Orpen Horses | 0 | 34.395
2 Quetza Hero D&B, Tina Robinson, Verve Equestrian | 4 | 35.825
3 HJ Blind Date, Molly Kindness, Molly Kindness | 4 | 38.675
4 Magic, Loic Cannaert, Orpen Horses | 4 | 64.993
5 Nambino VD Guldennagel Z, Garrett Warner, Shadow Creek South | 4 | 66.541
6 Liber T, Molly Kindness, Mole Hill Jm Ltd. | 4 | 68.471
7 Captain America 10, Luke Rinehart, Catherine Rinehart | 4 | 69.247
8 Duc De Jentiere, Lani Hutchison, Lani Hutchison | 4 | 72.08
9 Montevideo VDL, Kady Abrahamson, Abrahamson Equestrian LLC | 4 | 72.97
10 Canterella Van De Hogebrog Z, Lauren Hester, Hester Equestrian LLC | 4 | 74.659
Richard Rinehart & Ismael Race to $10,000 Devoucoux Futures Prix Win
The $10,000 Devoucoux Sellier Futures Prix of Fall Classic I saw a group of promising young horses and developing combinations to kick off show jumping competition Saturday afternoon at WEC – Wilmington.
In a seven-horse jump-off with times just tenths of a second apart, Richard Rinehart (USA) ultimately found the fastest path with Equine Holdings LLC Ismael (Numero Uno x Danilla).
Rinehart stated that his plan, “was just to go as fast as possible and not take any unreasonable risks.”
“I am really fond of Melvin [Ismael] and he is always trying his best. That always makes it easier to produce clear rounds.”
Rinehart was the only athlete to attempt the leave out in the first line of the jump-off to secure his win.
“From one to two, there was an inside turn that I didn’t really care for. I figured if I came around the corner with a good gallop, the six got so easy in the first round, that the five would be right there if I just let go. I considered going around to the vertical after the five because I was carrying quite a bit of pace, but then I looked over and saw a line to and grabbed it,” Rinehart noted.
Aboard the quick 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, the duo crossed the timers to take the lead in 29.888 seconds.
“I would like to thank the Robert’s family and everybody in management here at WEC. They do a beautiful job here and they keep the place so clean and it is really all so nicely done,” Rinehart expressed his gratitude for World Equestrian Center.
Holding the lead until the second to last entry, Kate Shurtleff (USA) and her own 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Limitless (Larrox Z x Rivana), landed with the red ribbon in 30.431 seconds.
Campbell Kahn rounded out the podium in 30.507 seconds with her own 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding, Delta De Laume (Vagabond De La Pomme x Iena De Laume).
$10,000 Devoucoux Sellier Futures Prix Results:
1 Ismael, Richard Rinehart, Equine Holdings LLC | 0 | 29.888
2 Limitless, Kate Shurtleff, Kate Shurtleff | 0 | 30.431
3 Delta De Laume, Campbell Kahn, Campbell Kahn | 0 | 30.507
4 Jazil Du Houssoit, Anabel Ricigliano, Beliano LLC | 0 | 31.198
5 Flex Star, Raquel Mazur, Raquel Mazur | 0 | 31.669
6 Jalapeno C, Garrett Warner, Bryn Hurley | 0 | 31.678
7 Excel Star Kallista, Corinne Davies, Corinne Davies | 0 | 35.595
8 Borsalino Birdavenue, Leighton Goldberg, Leighton Goldberg | 4 | 74.848
9 Lagerfeld, Ashley Stumm, Dawn Stumm | 12 | 67.259
10 Amarena Z, Haley Dietrich, Airborne Stud LLC | 17 | 93.832