Wilmington, Ohio – The Standlee Sanctuary welcomed horse-and-athlete combinations for the $10,000 CWD Welcome Stake during the World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Winter Classic 7, where Sam Pegg (CAN) saved the best for last with Formidable Diamant (Diamant De Semilly x Nobel Lady) to take the win.
The coming nine-year-old Selle Francais gelding owned by Harlow Investment Enterprises LLC is a particularly special horse to Pegg, making his first open win significant.
“Henry [Formidable Diamant] is extra special to me because he was originally ridden by my friend David Beisel. The Harlow’s sent him to me to continue to develop and this is actually his first open win today. He has been very competitive; the win just hasn’t quite happened yet.”
Wilhelm Genn (GER) and his own 11-year-old Danish Warmblood mare, Quincidence (Charleston K x Quilotte), held the lead with a double-clear effort for nearly half the class until ultimately bested by Pegg as the final entry to go. Genn and his mare earned a well-deserved second place in 42.789 seconds.
Pegg commented on the progression of ‘Henry’ and his minor changes along the way to keep him at his happiest, “As he progresses, he is very bold and forward going. I started to ride him in hack-a-bit with a little bit of nose pressure and a soft strap under his chin, and he feels very comfortable in the contact. He’s the one that has to jump, so it has to be something he likes!”
Pegg piloted the young star to his first featured win ever in 38.999 seconds.
After his month stay at WEC – Wilmington, Pegg discussed the benefits of the facility for his program. “We love to come here. You can jump the horses any height you want. I have a horse that really isn’t ready to show, but he can get lots of good mileage here and go in different rings to jump around. I have a couple of horses that only do the grand prix. There is good prize money every week. It is always nice to come here and be inside out of the weather and jump the horses to keep them fit.”
Elizabeth Naber (USA) guided her own nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, Miss Cloe Z (Mr. Cielo Odth Z x Daniella Van De Helle) to third place with a double clear effort in 44.522 seconds.
$10,000 CWD Welcome Stake Results:
1 Formidable Diamant, Sam Pegg, Harlow Investments LLC | 0 | 38.999
2 Quincidence, Wilhelm Genn, Wilhelm Genn | 0 | 42.789
3 Miss Cloe Z, Elizabeth Naber, Elizabeth Naber | 0 | 44.522
4 Piranha SCF, Hanna Toering, Spy Coast Farm | 0 | 45.549
5 Candescent, Sam Pegg, Heather MacInnis | 4 | 41.54
6 Nicolina, Mindy Coretz, Eighteen Acres Farm | 4 | 43.01
7 Dolla 3, Sam Pegg, Sam Pegg | 4 | 43.667
8 Big Girl Z, Sam Pegg, Sam Pegg | 8 | 39.054
9 Olympic Van De Meyhoeve, Izzy Beisel, Five Way Farm LLC | 4 | 68.287
10 Wava Alvaro, Rachael Lively, Elisabeth Yaeger | 4 | 68.287
Make sure to visit the WEC Blog and follow us on social media @worldequestriancenter for full coverage on all feature classes!
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.