Ireland's Kevin McCarthy and Catch A Star HSS Return to WEC to Win the $25,000 WEC Grand Prix

The Sanctuary Arena saw thrilling jumper action this evening for the $25,000 World Equestrian Center Grand Prix and the $7,500 Futures Prix 1.30m sponsored by Voltaire Design. Ireland’s Kevin McCarthy and his own Catch A Starr HSS (Sheraton x Tolinda) returned to World Equestrian Center this week to top the Grand Prix while David Beisel continued his winning streak, taking the top two spots in the Futures Prix.

$25,000 World Equestrian Center Grand Prix

Kevin McCarthy and Catch A Star HSS claim their first Grand Prix victory of 2020 in tonight’s $25,000 WEC Grand Prix.

The course for tonight’s $25,000 World Equestrian Center Grand Prix was designed by Bobby Murphy of Lexington, Kentucky and featured fifteen jumping efforts including two one-stride combinations, a two-stride combination and several forward-riding lines. Seventeen entries vied for the win, but it was the dynamic combination of Kevin McCarthy and his own Catch A Starr HSS (Sheraton x Tolinda) who claimed first place.

Kevin McCarthy and Catch A Star HSS jump a clear first round.

Kevin McCarthy and Catch A Starr HSS (Sheraton x Tolinda) took to the course near the top of the order. The pair have earned an impressive track record at World Equestrian Center, racking up four Welcome Stake wins and three Grand Prix wins in 2019. This evening, McCarthy and the scopey nine year old Swedish Warmblood mare were patient in the first round, making sure to leave all rails up in a time of 81.128 seconds, still well under the time allowed of 85 seconds.

Keely McIntosh and Inne Van De Plataan clear an oxer.

Keely McIntosh and Jenny Booth’s Inne Van De Plataan (Zurich x Fame Van De Plataan) were next in the ring. The pair took fourth place in the $25,000 World Equestrian Center Grand Prix last July and were prepared to claim another top spot tonight. McIntosh and the twelve year old Belgian Warmblood mare also chose a quiet approach to the first round, jumping clear in a time of 83.545 seconds.

Genevieve Munson and Contendro Star soar over an oxer.

Genevieve Munson also delivered a noteworthy first round aboard her own Contendro Star (Contendro I x Gloria). The pair regularly compete in 1.20m-1.40m jumpers, earning top placings. This evening, Munson and the twelve year old Hanoverian gelding were quick in the first round, leaving all rails up in a time of 75.805 seconds.

The course was adjusted and seven entries returned for the jump off. McCarthy and Catch A Starr HSS were among the first to return. The pair picked up pace and chose the inside track, taking tidy turns to fences seven, nine and eleven. McCarthy and the fiery bay mare blazed through the timers at 36.612 seconds, moving into the lead. Next to return was McIntosh and Inne Van de Plataan. The pair mimicked McCarthy’s inside track, stopping the clock at 37.942 seconds, sliding comfortably into second place. Last to return was Munson and Contendro Star. The pair also chose the inside track, crossing the timers at 37.343, earning second place and moving McIntosh to third place.

McCarthy of Cazenovia, New York took a moment to chat with us ringside about his win, “Thank God, we won. That’s a good start! I’ve been waiting all day just to get that over with. I was third to go in the jump off and with seven in it I knew it would be fast. So, I just kind of made sure we kept all of the jumps up. I didn’t take any strides out, I did seven in the first line and I did seven home. I know her so well now and she’s so naturally fast. I’m just delighted with the win.”

McCarthy also added, “This is our first Grand Prix back for 2020, so I couldn’t ask for a better start. We love it here. My other horse, Easton, jumped very well, too. We’re back with a bang!”

$25,000 World Equestrian Center Grand Prix Results

Catch A Star HSS, Kevin McCarthy – 0 | 0 | 36.612
Contendro Star, Genevieve Munson – 0 | 0 | 37.343
Inne Van De Plataan, Keely McIntosh – 0 | 0 | 37.942
ERP Van www.olland.biz, Katia Manuel-Adams – 0 | 0 | 37.976
Zonderling, Genevieve Munson – 0 | 4 | 36.914
Angelo, David Beisel – 0 | 4 | 38.423
Clash II Heldenlaan, Lauren DiTallo – 0 | 4 | 42.156
Essince W, David Beisel – 4 | 72.165
So Live Helau, Keely McIntosh – 4 | 77.846
United M, Robert Mendoza – 4 | 78.662

$7,500 Futures Prix 1.30m

The $7,500 Futures Prix 1.30m sponsored by Voltaire Design saw a similar course to that of the Grand Prix, also designed by Bobby Murphy. The 1.30m track featured fourteen jumping efforts including two one-stride combinations and bending lines that would reward a forward pace. David Beisel continued his winning streak tonight, earning both first and second place aboard Harlow Investment Enterprises, LLC’s Caius (Camaxl x Cuba Libre) and Equine Holdings LLC’s Ivana Jump (Lupicor x Donnaludine), respectively.

David Beisel and Caius jump into the win.

Beisel first attempted the course aboard Harlow Investment Enterprises, LLC’s Caius (Camaxl x Cuba Libre). The pair earned third place in the Futures Prix just two weeks ago during week four of ‘Winter in the Midwest 2020’ at World Equestrian Center. Tonight, Beisel and the nine year old Westphalian gelding were on fire in the first round, jumping clear in a time of 77.333 seconds, well under the time allowed of 86 seconds. Beisel and the enthusiastic grey gelding continued straight to the jump off of the Table II 2b event, taking the inside track to fences five, ten and twelve and crossing the timers at 39.362 seconds, sending them into first place.

David Beisel and Ivana Jump navigate two clear rounds.

Beisel later returned aboard Equine Holdings LLC’s Ivana Jump (Lupicor x Donnaludine). The pair took fourth place during week four’s Futures Prix and returned to the Sanctuary Arena this evening ready to compete. Beisel and the seven year old Dutch Warmblood mare sped through the first round, leaving all rails up in a time of 75.990 seconds, signaling they would be strong competitors in the jump off. Beisel and Ivana Jump advanced straight to the short course, also taking all available inside turns. The pair galloped through the timers at 40.011 seconds with a clear round, claiming second place.

Robert Mendoza and Jewel B earn third place.

Robert Mendoza also had a fantastic round in the Futures Prix aboard TSI Equestrian’s Jewel B (Couleur Rubin x Riane). The pair have been collecting top placings in the 1.20m jumpers and Mendoza’s daughter Nora has been riding Jewel B to first place finishes in the Low Children’s Jumpers. Tonight, Mendoza and the eleven year old Belgian Warmblood mare navigated a clear first round in 77.526 seconds. The pair continued straight to the jump off, delivering a second clear round in 40.057 seconds for a third place finish.

$7,500 Futures Prix 1.30m Results