Wilmington, Ohio – Featured competition of Winter Classic 8 began with the $10,000 EquiJet Welcome Stake in the Standlee Sanctuary Thursday afternoon. Nicole Loochtan (USA) returned to World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC) to find her way back on top with her own It’s Me Du Bosquetiau (Dayton Sitte x Mirette Du Bosquetiau).
Loochtan, of Stone Creek Stables in Georgetown, Kentucky, returned to WEC – Wilmington to escape the harsh winter conditions and was grateful for her horses that made the day successful.
“My horses are very consistent. Even after a couple of tricky weeks because of the weather, they make it so easy to get back in the ring. I know Marvin [It’s Me Du Bosquetiau] very well, so I know when he is ready and when he maybe needs more prep. The other horse that I did in the class today, Kupardie, is a newer ride for me so I am just figuring him out. They are both such reliable horses. Both really want to do the right thing and that makes my job a lot easier.”
The 10-year-old Belgian Sport Horse stallion, ‘Marvin,’ never fails to put on show with his big personality and jumping style, and was unable to be beat as the first entry to go.
The new elements in the Sanctuary did not phase the duo, “I really liked the new jumps in the ring. I like that they added new elements especially for the horses and riders that spend the winter here. It is nice to give your horses something else to look at with a new feel without changing the atmosphere too much.”
In 36.46 seconds, Loochtan posted the leading time by nearly five seconds to take her third win of the 2024 Winter in the Midwest Series.
Wilhelm Genn (GER) and his developing mount Quincidence (Charleston K x Quilotte) jumped an easy double-clear effort. The 11-year-old Danish Warmblood mare crossed the timers in 40.977 seconds to secure second place.
The second fastest time but an unfortunate four-fault score landed Charlotte Clark (USA) and her 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare, Kinsella (Capitalist x Jerpoint Mist), in third place with a time of 37.262 seconds.
$10,000 EquiJet Welcome Stake:
1 It’s Me Du Bosquetiau, Nicole Loochtan, Nicole Loochtan | 0 | 36.46
2 Quincidence, Wilhelm Genn, Wilhelm Genn | 0 | 40.977
3 Kinsella, Charlotte Clark, Charlotte Clark | 4 | 37.262
4 Contigo, Izzy Beisel, David Beisel | 8 | 38.14
5 Olympic Van De Meyhoeve, Izzy Beisel, Five Way Farm LLC | 4 | 74.285
6 Piranha SCF, Hanna Toering, Spy Coast Farm | 4 | 77.716
7 Kupardie, Nicole Loochtan, Nicole Loochtan | 4 | 80.83
8 Duc De Jentiere, Lani Hutchison, Lani Hutchison | 8 | 77.171
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Results can be found at wec.net.
All horse show images are provided by Winslow Photography and can be purchased onsite at WEC – Wilmington or online through their website.