Wilmington, Ohio – The $50,000 Buckeye Grand Prix was the main event Saturday at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC), where 22 competitive combinations gathered to try their hand at Bobby Murphy’s (USA) track.
Ten partnerships managed to qualify for the jump-off track, but it was Sam Pegg (CAN) who saved the best for last to snag the leading position aboard Harlow Investment Enterprises’ Casey H (Cassin x D-Arielle).
Izzy Beisel led the way around the short course, jumping the first double-clear effort. Loic Cannaert followed to catch her time, stopping the clock in 38.194 seconds aboard Charlie & Nicole LLC’s nine-year-old Anglo European gelding, Flügel Der Freiheit (Quickfeuer Van Koekshof x Floren De Kalvarie), ultimately rounding out the top three.
None could catch Cannaert until Kevin Gallagher (IRL) entered as the second-to-last entry.
Aboard Conor Swail’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse stallion, Echonix (Aganix Du Seigneur x Echo Peach), Gallagher caught a momentary lead in 37.847 seconds.
Entering as the final to go, Pegg and the eight-year-old Holsteiner mare were in it to win it, knocking Gallagher off the top by just tenths of a second as they stopped the clock in 37.242 seconds.
Pegg discussed where he made up time around the track.
“I had the luxury of riding the track on my other horse. I thought I could be a little quicker back on the pair of verticals. I tried to keep up a good pace and caught one less stride in the last line.”
After securing his first grand prix win, Pegg reflected on his journey with the talented mare.
“We imported Casey toward the end of her seven-year-old year with Harlow Investments. She has been extremely successful now as an eight-year-old since we have had her. She just jumped clear in the Eight-Year-Old Final in Traverse City a few weeks ago. She had a bit of a break before coming here, and she just feels fantastic.”
$50,000 Buckeye Grand Prix Results
Sara Omohundro & Ismael Race to Win the $7,500 Junior/Amateur 1.20m Mini Prix
The newest addition to featured classes at WEC – Wilmington took center stage Saturday afternoon in the Standlee Sanctuary. The $7,500 Junior/Amateur 1.20m Mini Prix welcomed a competitive group of riders, but it was Sara Omohundro who saved the best for last with her own Ismael to take the win.
The 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding stopped the clock in 30.166 seconds to take the lead.
Aiden Udelson claimed second place with the Cleveland Equestrian entry, Jackson VDL, in 31.219 seconds.
Lilly Goldstein and Goldstein Investment Group Inc.’s Cinja P rounded out the top three in 34.528 seconds.
