Back A-Genn to Win the $5,000 Welcome Stake 1.35 m

Wilhelm Genn took first place aboard Dirocco Blue in this afternoon’s $5,000 Welcome Stake 1.35 m (pictured aboard Dante’s Inferno).

We welcomed exhibitors back today for the final show of the 2019 Winter Series of the Midwest. The $5,000 Welcome Stake 1.35 m sponsored by CWD Sellier kicked off feature Jumper action with sixteen entries vying for the win in the class. Back from spending the Winter in Wellington, the Genn family of Rheinland Farm in Lebanon, Ohio swept the class by taking the top three placings. Patriarch Wilhelm Genn took first place aboard Eduardo Leon’s Dirocco Blue (Zirocco Blue VDL x Kivoli), while son Theo took second and third and Ryan finished two horses in the top ten.

This afternoon’s course was designed by Florida-based Steve Stephens and featured two combinations along with flowing lines. The course made use of the spacious outdoor Jumper ring, beginning over an oxer headed down the rail, then led to a vertical and a one-stride combination headed up the diagonal. From there, the course led down the opposite diagonal over a line to a bending line, then on to a second one-stride combination that bent to an oxer on the rail. To finish, the course led down the diagonal over a line, then bent to an oxer headed home.

Wilhelm Genn and Dirocco Blue jump double clear.

First to jump clear in the Table II event was Wilhelm Genn aboard Eduardo Leon’s Dirocco Blue (Zirocco Blue VDL x Kivoli), an eleven year old Danish Warmblood gelding. The pair took top placings in early 2019 at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida in several 1.40 m and 1.45 m classes. Genn and the scopey Dirocco Blue easily cleared each fence in the first round, jumping clear in 66.390 seconds, well within the time allowed of 74 seconds. The pair continued straight to the jump off, beginning over the same first three fences as the first course, then taking the inside track to the out of the line on the diagonal. The pair then rolled back to catch the oxer on the rail, then took the inside track to the out of the opposite line on the diagonal. They finished by bending to the oxer on the rail and galloping through the timers at 41.834 seconds, setting the pace with the first double clear of the class.

Theo Genn and Firewall clear a wide oxer.

Shortly after, Wilhelm’s son Theo Genn entered the ring aboard Eduardo Leon’s Firewall (Lexicon x Bailey), a nine year old Dutch Warmblood gelding. The pair have had an impressive start to 2019, also taking notable placings in many 1.40 m classes at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida. Genn and Firewall took a similar approach to the first round, easily jumping clear in a time of 67.856 seconds. The pair continued straight to the jump off, taking the inside track and keeping their forward pace, but pulled an unfortunate rail after the one stride combination. They finished the short course in 44.860 seconds with just four faults, moving them into second place.

Theo Genn and Boucanier jump into second place.

Theo Genn wrapped up the class aboard Taylor Blackman’s Boucanier (Ovidius x Elseroodnoot), a thirteen year old Dutch Warmblood gelding. The pair also spent the early part of 2019 in Wellington, Florida successfully competing in 1.40 m and 1.45 m classes. Genn piloted Boucanier through an almost identical course as his previous mount, jumping clear in a time of 68.499 seconds and continuing straight to the jump off. Genn again mirrored his previous ride, picking up a bit more pace and crossing the timers at 44.093 seconds, moving Boucanier into second place and Firewall into third place and leaving Wilhelm Genn and Dirocco Blue atop the score board.

Wilhelm Genn leads the victory gallop (pictured aboard Dante’s Inferno).

Wilhelm Genn joined us after the awards presentation to chat about his ride in the $5,000 Welcome Stake 1.35 m sponsored by CWD Sellier. “Dirocco Blue hadn’t shown in two months and he was really excited, so I had to work a little bit more than I normally have to, but that’s okay because it paid off,” explained Genn. “For Saturday’s Grand Prix, my goal is to get him riding a little bit smoother and a little more relaxed. I am glad that he’s excited about jumping! He just wanted to go faster than I wanted to and he was really excited to be back in the ring and jump, so he was really happy about it.”

When asked about Dirocco Blue, Genn said, “He’s eleven years old. He’s a very good jumper with a lot of scope. He’s very honest and very brave. He’s just a wonderful horse; you can aim him at anything and he’ll jump anything. He’s done well in Grands Prix and he had a really good Winter in Florida, he just hasn’t shown in a couple months, so this is his first show back. He’ll show the Grand Prix Saturday, then get back into a routine until he’s sold because he is for sale.”

We also asked Genn about his son Theo’s mount and second place finisher, Boucanier, “Boucanier is a good older horse; he’s thirteen this year. He has placed in a World Cup class and won some Grands Prix. He’s a very good horse. He had a little bit of a break, also, so this is a nice show for them to come back and get going. Their next step will be Kentucky in May.”

$5,000 Welcome Stake 1.35 m Results