WATCH US GROW Gift
Cards
This week at WEC Calendar Icon
World Equestrian Center logo World Equestrian Center logo
  • Ocala
    • Order Feed & Bedding
    • Equestrian Events
      • Spectators
      • Shows
        • Summer Series
        • 2025 Dressage
        • May Day Barrel Bonanza
        • Winter Spectacular
        • WEC Premier Cup
        • Orange Blossom Classic & A Sudden Impulse
      • Members and Exhibitors
        • Forms
        • Prize List
        • Membership Directory
        • Points Issue
        • Standings
        • Results
        • Horses
      • Volunteers
    • Live Stream
    • Conventions
      • Conventions Photo Gallery
    • Sporting Events
      • Canine Shows
      • Sports at WEC
    • Visit
      • Stay
      • Shop
      • Dine
      • Golf Cart Rental
      • Resort Spa
      • Things to do in Ocala, FL
    • Social Events
      • Catering Menus
      • Social Events Gallery
    • Real Estate
    • Facilities
      • Expo Centers
      • Arenas
      • Stabling
      • Veterinary Hospital
      • UF Health
      • Chapel
      • Request for Proposal Form – Ocala, Florida
    • Sponsors
      • Be a Sponsor
    • Vendors
    stay-with-us-lgBtn
  • Wilmington
    • Equestrian Events
      • Spectators
      • Shows
        • Winter in the Midwest
        • WEC Premier Cup
        • Spring & Summer Series
        • Fall Classic Series
        • Midwest Indoors
        • Standlee® Summer Schooling Show Series
      • Members and Exhibitors
        • Standings
        • Forms
        • Membership Directory
        • Results
    • Facilities
      • Stabling
      • Arenas
      • Host an Event
    • Visit
      • Dining
      • Shop
      • Dragonfly Academy
      • Chapel
    • Live Stream
    • Stay
      • Things to do in Wilmington, OH
    • Sponsors
      • Be a Sponsor
    • Vendors
      • Vendor Application
    HomenAway
  • Events
    • Stirrups Wine Series
    • Ocala Food & Wine Fest
    • Longines League of Nations™
    • Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala
    • Ocala Winter Wonderland
  • Contact
  • About
    • FAQ
      • Ocala
      • Wilmington
    • Careers
      • Ocala
      • Wilmington
  • News
  • Media
    • Media Accreditation Form
  • Worship
WATCH US GROW Gift Cards
This week at WEC Calendar Icon

WEC / News / Wilmington, OH / Paul Halpern & Esra Claim $30,000 WEC Grand Prix Victory

Paul Halpern & Esra Claim $30,000 WEC Grand Prix Victory

13 Mar 22 | Shows

Wilmington, OHIO – Paul Halpern (CAN) and Vanessa Lee’s Esra laid down two foot-perfect, double-clear rounds to take top honors in the $30,000 WEC Grand Prix on Sunday, March 13. Competition commenced in the early morning as a field of seven competitors gathered in the Sanctuary Arena to contest the class, which featured serpentine style tracks set by FEI Level II course designer Joey Rycroft (CAN).

Winners Paul Halpern & Esra clear an oxer in the $30,000 WEC Grand Prix. Photo courtesy of Winslow Photography.

Fellow competitor David Beisel, injured in a fall yesterday, was at the forefront of Halpern’s post-ride thoughts. “I dedicate my ride this morning to David Beisel. It’s been an emotional 24-hours for all of us here as we wait for updates on David’s condition. I have known David for 20 years and he is the hometown hero here at WEC. If he were here competing, he would have made me work harder for the win. We are all wishing him the very best on his recovery.”

Paul Halpern & Esra, winners of the $30,000 WEC Grand Prix. Photo courtesy of Winslow Photography

Halpern was also effusive in his praise for his partner Esra (Bratt Z x Ulibra), a 10-year-old Holsteiner mare. “I’ve been riding Esra since the beginning of her career. Her owner manages our stable. She is amazing. She’s just such a special mare. She’s quality, really smart and careful, she looks for the jumps. If I do the right thing in the saddle, she always gives 110%.”

Paul Halpern pilots Esra to the $30,000 WEC Grand Prix win. Photo courtesy of Winslow Photography.

Ultimately three horse and rider combinations went clear over the first round track to advance to the jump-off. It was student vs. master as Chloe Parker (CAN) qualified with her two mounts and went head-to-head over the short course against Halpern, whom she trains with in Canada.

Halpern went early in the order and produced a double-clear jump-off round, stopping the clock at 40.572. His strategy was to be conservative in his approach, but to go fast enough to put pressure on his student.

Halpern was complementary of Rycroft’s courses. “I love Joey’s courses, they are always fabulous. The course this morning was challenging in that while it wasn’t huge, the jumps came up quickly so you really had to ride.”

Chloe Parker & Tinka’s Soldier clear the liverpool on their way to a second place finish in the WEC $30,000 Grand Prix. Photo courtesy of Winslow Photography

Although Parker would best Halpern’s time with Groupe Zacar Inc.’s Tinka’s Soldier (Tinka’s Boy x Graphix) by clocking a 39.843 jump-off time, an unlucky rail dropped the pair to second place.

“I am extremely proud of Chloe and would have been proud of her if she beat me, but of course I was going to try and win,” said Halpern.

Chloe Parker & Cornet S Lady secured a third place finish in the WEC $30,000 Grand Prix. Photo courtesy of Winslow Photography.

Parker rounded out the top three placings with Cornet S Lady (Cornet’s Stern x Candela), owned by Groupe Zacar Inc. Parker and the 11-year-old Oldenburg mare were clear in the first round with a time of 78.991. An unfortunate miscommunication kept the pair from completing the jump-off course.

$30,000 WEC Grand Prix Results:

  1. Esra, Paul Halpern – 0 | 0 | 40.572
  2. Tinka’s Soldier, Chloe Parker – 0 | 4 | 39.843
  3. Cornet S Lady, Chloe Parker – 0 | EL
  4. Jackson VDL, Megan Bash – 4 | 77.482
  5. Matinee BSH, Shawn Butler – 4 | 85.432
  6. Light Show, Diane P. Masters – 8 | 76.146
  7. CF Lucky Blue, Kelsey Mogel – 8 | 89.790

Photos courtesy of Winslow Photography

Live stream coverage provided by ClipMyHorseTV

Post navigation

Previous: Sunday Spotlight: Kelsey Mogel
Next: Willie Tynan & Fenise Find Success in the $15,000 WEC Ocala 1.45m Jumper Classic

Recent Posts

  • A Sudden Impulse; Saturday, April 26 Feature Class Highlights 
    |  Shows
    Read
  • A Sudden Impulse; Friday, April 25 Featured Class Highlights
    |  Results
    Read
  • A Sudden Impulse; Thursday, April 24 Featured Class Highlights
    |  Shows
    Read
  • A Sudden Impulse; Wednesday, April 23 Featured Class Highlights
    |  Shows
    Read
  • Sports at WEC Indoor Soccer Programs Kick Off This May at World Equestrian Center – Ocala 
    |  Ocala, FL
    Read
  • Orange Blossom Classic; Sunday, April 20 Featured Class Highlights
    |  Shows
    Read
  • Orange Blossom Classic; Saturday, April 19 Featured Class Highlights
    |  Shows
    Read
  • Orange Blossom Classic: Friday, April 18 Featured Class Highlights
    |  Shows
    Read
  • Orange Blossom Classic; Thursday, April 17 Featured Class Highlights 
    |  Shows
    Read
  • The Equestrian Manor at WEC – Ocala Introduces Stunning New Venues and Restaurants This Fall
    |  Ocala, FL
    Read

Categories

  • Magazine Issues
  • Shows
  • Ocala Construction
  • Results
  • Uncategorized
  • Equestrian News
  • Ocala, FL
  • Wilmington, OH
  • Facilities
  • Sponsors
  • Equestrian
  • Featured
  • Conventions & Trade shows
  • Weddings
  • Sports
  • Canine
  • News Releases
  • Visit

Our Affiliates

ohio hunter jumper association
hunter jumper association of michigan
ushja
us equestrian
OPHA
TAKE2 second career thoroughbred program
wisconsin hunter jumper association

Join Our Mailing List

'
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
'

Ocala

  • Equestrian Events
  • Visit
  • Real Estate
  • Conventions and Tradeshows
  • Sporting Events
  • Canine Shows
  • Weddings
  • Facilities
  • Sponsors
  • Vendors

Wilmington

  • Equestrian Events
  • Stay
  • Facilities
  • Sponsors
  • Vendors
  • About

  • Events

  • Contact

  • News

  • Media

  • Worship

  • Careers

Follow Us

  • WEC
  • Ocala

Follow Us

  • WEC
  • Ocala
Contact Us
Ocala Equestrian Operations: 352.414.7900
Hotel Reservations: 866.478.9267
Wilmington Equestrian Operations: 937.382.0985
X
Privacy Policy| User Agreement| © 2025 World Equestrian Center, Wilmington OH & Ocala FL, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
  • Ocala
    • Order Feed & Bedding
    • Equestrian Events
      • Spectators
      • Shows
        • Summer Series
        • 2025 Dressage
        • May Day Barrel Bonanza
        • Winter Spectacular
        • WEC Premier Cup
        • Orange Blossom Classic & A Sudden Impulse
      • Members and Exhibitors
        • Forms
        • Prize List
        • Membership Directory
        • Points Issue
        • Standings
        • Results
        • Horses
      • Volunteers
    • Live Stream
    • Conventions
      • Conventions Photo Gallery
    • Sporting Events
      • Canine Shows
      • Sports at WEC
    • Visit
      • Stay
      • Shop
      • Dine
      • Golf Cart Rental
      • Resort Spa
      • Things to do in Ocala, FL
    • Social Events
      • Catering Menus
      • Social Events Gallery
    • Real Estate
    • Facilities
      • Expo Centers
      • Arenas
      • Stabling
      • Veterinary Hospital
      • UF Health
      • Chapel
      • Request for Proposal Form – Ocala, Florida
    • Sponsors
      • Be a Sponsor
    • Vendors
  • Wilmington
    • Equestrian Events
      • Spectators
      • Shows
        • Winter in the Midwest
        • WEC Premier Cup
        • Spring & Summer Series
        • Fall Classic Series
        • Midwest Indoors
        • Standlee® Summer Schooling Show Series
      • Members and Exhibitors
        • Standings
        • Forms
        • Membership Directory
        • Results
    • Facilities
      • Stabling
      • Arenas
      • Host an Event
    • Visit
      • Dining
      • Shop
      • Dragonfly Academy
      • Chapel
    • Live Stream
    • Stay
      • Things to do in Wilmington, OH
    • Sponsors
      • Be a Sponsor
    • Vendors
      • Vendor Application
  • Events
    • Stirrups Wine Series
    • Ocala Food & Wine Fest
    • Longines League of Nations™
    • Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala
    • Ocala Winter Wonderland
  • Contact
  • About
    • FAQ
      • Ocala
      • Wilmington
    • Careers
      • Ocala
      • Wilmington
  • News
  • Media
    • Media Accreditation Form
  • Worship