Wilmington, Ohio – Canada’s Sam Pegg stole the show in the $30,000 Grand Prix at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Winter Classic 7, securing a one-two finish with Gin Tonic 158 (Graf Top x Hauptstutbuch) and Formidable Diamant (Diamant De Semilly x Nobel Lady), respectively.
The professional athlete of Ten Sixty Stables rode four entries in the Saturday night class, taking home the lion’s share of prize money including the $500 Vitalize Fastest Four-Faulter Bonus with Big Girl Z.
Pegg was quick to commend the team that helps make the transition from horse-to-horse smooth and efficient, “We have a great team. Riece and Olivia know everything about each horse, and they can get them ready fast. I don’t have to worry about that, and they always come in top shape to the ring. I try to ride them all during the day so that their body is out and moving so that it is not such a shock when they need to efficiently warm-up and get to the ring.”
In a five-horse jump-off with historically quick riders including Izzy Beisel (USA) and Wilhelm Genn (GER), Pegg knew that there was no time to waste to conclude his time at WEC – Wilmington with a win.
“I knew I had to be quick. I didn’t want to do five strides from one to two, it was a bit of a steady six. But I thought with both horses I could do the six quietly and turn back very tight to the next line. With Wilhelm [Genn], who needs no introduction, and Izzy [Beisel] following right behind you, you know you have to be quick and tidy in the turns and do what you can to leave the jumps up,” said Pegg.
First to go with Harlow Investment Enterprises nine-year-old Selle Francais gelding, Formidable Diamant, Pegg set the pace in 38.477 seconds, ultimately securing the red ribbon.
With his second entry qualified for the jump off, Pegg returned with his quickest mount, the 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding Gin Tonic 158 to beat his own time in 37.449 seconds for the win.
“I was a little slow getting through the timers on Gin Tonic last week and I think he would have been in the top with the time. I was very motivated this week to go in and get straight to work with him. He jumped fantastic and I didn’t feel any hesitation from him. He wanted to win today,” Pegg spoke highly about his winning mount.
After a month-long stay at WEC – Wilmington to kick off his winter circuit, Pegg is looking forward to heading south with his barn full of talent.
“The horses all feel fantastic. They have each shown for a couple of weeks, but they have all also had a week off. They feel fit and ready to go. I am really looking forward to the trip and thankful for how the month here in Wilmington has prepared us for the rest of the winter.”
Last week’s winner, Izzy Beisel (USA) rounded out the top three with David Beisel’s 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Vegas H (Valentino x Cobrah), in 38.786 seconds.
$30,000 Grand Prix Results:
1 Gin Tonic 158, Sam Pegg, Sam Pegg | 0 | 37.449
2 Formidable Diamant, Sam Pegg, Harlow Investment Enterprises | 0 | 38.477
3 Vegas H, Izzy Beisel, David Beisel | 0 | 38.786
4 Diaz Barbotiere, Izzy Beisel, Izzy Beisel | 4 | 36.796
5 Quincidence, Wilhelm Genn, Wilhelm Genn | 4 | 40.737
6 Big Girl Z, Sam Pegg, Sam Pegg | 4 | 72.836
7 Piranha SCF, Hanna Toering, Spy Coast Farm | 4 | 76.365
8 Wavo Alvaro, Rachael Lively, Elisabeth Yaegar | 4 | 79.489
9 Candescent, Sam Pegg, Heather MacInnis | 8 | 73.77
10 Nicolina, Mindy Coretz, Eighteen Acres Farm | 8 | 78.049
Claire Austin & K T Miel Race to Win in the $10,000 Futures Prix
The $10,000 Futures Prix kicked off featured competition Saturday in the Standlee Sanctuary at WEC – Wilmington. Claire Austin (USA) ultimately raced to the win amongst a seven-horse jump-off with her own K T Miel (Epleaser Van T Heike x Violet P).
Austin and her 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding returned to WEC better than ever after a short break at home, “We have just been trying to get better and better. He had a couple of months off until November and he just came back even better. He loved his break!”
Laura Douglas (CAN) held the lead with Julia Ray’s 10-year-old Hosteiner/Selle Francais mare, Bastille (Cunningham x Heny Hota Riga), with a quick double clear in 37.752 seconds, until Austin entered to claim the top spot by three seconds.
Austin discussed where she made up the time around the short course, “He has such a big stride, so I can leave out strides where other horses have to fit it in. He gets down the lines so easily, so I just let him leave it out and I touch him right before the base and he snaps his little knees up.”
The duo raced to victory in 34.562 seconds, leaving Austin confident for her next exciting adventure.
“This is our last show before I head to be a working student in Spain. I am going to work for Greg Broderick (IRL). The win today definitely helped set me up for that. I am going to miss him [K T Miel], because he doesn’t get to come with me, but this made me feel confident going over.”
Sam Pegg (CAN) clinched third, just shy of the second-place time in 37.797 seconds with his own nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Claas 30 (Quiran x Braune).
$10,000 Futures Prix Results:
1 K T Miel, Claire Austin, Clarie Austin | 0 | 34.562
2 Bastille, Laura Douglas, Julia Ray | 0 | 37.752
3 Claas 30, Sam Pegg, Sam Pegg | 0 | 37.797
4 Contigo, Izzy Beisel, David Beisel | 0 | 39.823
5 Isle Of Wight, Rachael Lively, Elisabeth Yaeger | 0 | 41.649
6 Katinka, Wilhelm Genn, Klaus Mauer | 0 | 42.569
7 Rokeechobee STB, Sam Pegg, Brockelsby INC | 4 | 46.444
8 NTEC Cascalan, Srisanth Kalavacharla, Srisanth Kalavacharla | 4 | 72.35
9 Gluckskeks, Sam Pegg, Olivia Salvidar | 8 | 71.508
10 Reykjavik 18, Lauren McGuire, Rachel Kane | 28 | 100.054
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.