Wilmington, Ohio – The $30,000 Grand Prix of Winter Classic 12 saw a head-to-head jump-off between two of the winningest open jumper riders at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington, Nicole Loochtan (USA) and Izzy Beisel (USA).
Despite never having jumped at the 1.40m level, Joe Carnicom’s (USA) challenging tracks were no match for Loochtan’s nine-year-old KWPN gelding, Kupardie (Cidane x Akupardie).
Not only was Birdie’s [Kupardie] victory special for Loochtan, marking his first grand prix debut, but it also echoed a similar triumph from her previous winter circuit.
“My really good horse, Marvin, has been top three in every grand prix that he has done this winter, and he didn’t jump tonight. Almost a year ago, I did my first grand prix with Marvin here and he won it. His little brother is following in his footsteps. Marvin has had quite the career, so I think Birdie is also going to follow that path. It was his first time stepping up and he blew it out of the water.”
First to go, Beisel tacked an unfortunate four faults to her score at jump one with her speedy 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding, Diaz Barbotiere (Messire Ardent x Quambera Barbotiere), to secure second place in 40.485 seconds.
Loochtan simply searched for a double clear as she entered with her mount and secured the win in 50.732 seconds with three time faults.
“It is funny because Birdie is a ridiculously fast horse. I didn’t actually know that I could go that slow,” shared Loochtan. “Izzy Beisel is such a fast rider. Since she had the one down, I wanted to take it nice and easy for a double clear, and I didn’t realize how nice and easy I took it until I saw the clock on the way to the last jump,” Loochtan laughed about her unexpected time faults.
“I wanted to just give Birdie a good experience. I wanted to put him in the right places and be able to help him out. I didn’t realize how easily he would jump the track. Everything came up fast out of the turns and he is a cheeky horse, so sometimes those turns come up quite quickly, but he is so careful and understands that he has to jump across the oxers,” Loochtan shared.
“I want to thank my sponsors Perfect Products, Natural Equine Essentials, Enviro Equine, Fabbri, and CWD for keeping us in top condition. And of course, thank you so much to my barn manager Zoe Thomsen! She is Birdie’s number one fan.”
Hanna Toering (USA) and Spy Coast Farm’s nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, Piranha SCF (Diktator Van De Boslandhoeve x Beluga), rounded out the top three as the fastest four faulter.
$30,000 Grand Prix Results:
1 Kupardie, Nicole Loochtan, Nicole Loochtan | 3 | 50.732
2 Diaz Barbotiere, Izzy Beisel, Izzy Beisel | 4 | 40.485
3 Piranha SCF, Hanna Toering, Spy Coast Farm | 4 | 76.606
4 BSH Matinee, Shawn Butler, Shawn Butler | 4 | 77.121
5 Brook De Brekka, Sarah Meier, Sarah Meier | 4 | 77.613
6 Nightshade SCF, Sarah Meier, Sarah Meier | 4 | 78.377
7 Contigo, Izzy Beisel, David Beisel | 4 | 80.583
8 Aruba Van’t Eigenlo Z, Michael Janson, Kimberly Janson | 8 | 75.901
9 Ayrton Du Faurieu Z, Richard Cheska, Richard Cheska | 8 | 81.311
10 ESH Imagine, Katie Pelzel, Myrna Folsom | 26 | 101.543
One-Two Finish for Michael Janson in the $10,000 Futures Prix of Winter Classic 12
The $10,000 Futures Prix kicked off show jumping competition Saturday afternoon at WEC – Wilmington Winter Classic 12. Joe Carnicom’s (USA) technically set first-round track proved difficult for the field, though it was no match for Michael Janson (USA) who scored his second one-two finish of the week.
Hailing out of his hometown of Berkley, Massachusetts, Janson expressed his immense gratitude for his family-owned and operated Legacy Farms and was joined by his supportive mother, Kimberly Janson, after his winnings.
“I come every week that Mikey shows here. They all work so hard throughout the whole week, so the co-pilots all sleep and I drive the trailer home!” [Kimberly] Janson chuckled.
Michael Janson was the pathfinder, and ultimately the winner, with his rising star and Welcome Stake leader, Ringo Star PS (Cicero Z x Hivita).
“It was a great challenge for the horse. We haven’t really pushed him to jump two difficult classes in the week, but it was an amazing experience for him. That is the best thing for him right now. We are trying to gain experience. If he does well, he does well, but there is really no pressure on him,” Janson spoke on his coming seven-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding.
As the quickest four-faulter with both of his entered mounts, Janson secured the win in 72.809 seconds, and second place with the 19-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Caveman Z (Carthargo Z x Amelia Z) in 75.539 seconds.
With two quick, four fault rounds, Janson “felt like they were silly rails,” he noted. “The course was really well built. It walked nicely and it rode a little tricky. I was really happy with both of my horses.”
Janson discussed the role that WEC – Wilmington has played in the development of ‘Ringo,’ “This is the most horse friendly venue we have ever been to. We started showing Ringo seriously here. We were able to get his feet wet and if we needed to go a little bit slower, it allowed him to. But it also really allowed him to experience great competition. It has been amazing for his development.”
Despite the 16-hour travel, owner Kimberly Janson discussed her thoughts on the facility and the benefits for their program.
“We have gone to Florida for 20 years, but WEC was such a good solution for us. You can do things at all hours. There are so many options, and you can get the horses in the rings. We have seven here this week and we talked about bringing a second load with five more the next time we come in March because it is so conducive. The drive is long, but it is certainly worth it. We always debate which ones to bring because it is such a positive experience for them.”
Kelsey Mogel (USA) piloted her own 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding, CF Lucky Blue (Chacco-Blue x Lucky Lady), to third place with a single rail in 75.637 seconds.
$10,000 Futures Prix Results:
1 Ringo Star PS, Michael Janson, Kimberly Janson | 4 | 72.809
2 Caveman Z, Michael Janson, Kimberly Janson | 4 | 75.539
3 CF Lucky Blue, Kelsey Mogel, Kelsey Mogel | 4 | 75.637
4 Frere D’arme, Jessica Lobmiller, Jessica Lobmiller | 4 | 76.87
5 Quick Release Sho Z, Colleen Holton, Liberty Farms LLC | 4 | 78.841
6 Copper Cove, Ian Roberts, Ian Roberts | 4 | 81.359
7 Billionaire, Alexandira Nelson, Sarah Meier | 8 | 74.774
8 Spicebomb, Sarah Meier, Sarah Meier | 12 | 72.359
9 QEH Making Waves, Madison Penfound, Madison Penfound | 12 | 76.21
10 Reina Van Hellehof, Maria Blankemeyer, Angela Moore | 12 | 76.255
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Results can be found at horseshowing.com.
All horse show images are provided by Winslow Photography and can be purchased onsite at WEC – Wilmington or online through their website.