Wilmington, Ohio – A competitive field of international athletes gathered Saturday afternoon at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Spring I to contend the $25,000 Grand Prix sponsored by OTW Safety. Eighteen seasoned competitors vied for the win over course designer Bobby Murphy’s (USA) technical tracks, with Taylor St. Jacques (CAN) piloting her own Jakilly (Harley VDL x Zakilly) to the prestigious win.
As the third athlete to enter the arena, St. Jacques laid down the first clear round of the class to secure a spot in the jump-off.
“I thought the tracks really suited Jakilly in the grand prix. This is her first show back since winter showing. It was technical enough where is asked the right questions, but it also allowed her to get back in the ring. It wasn’t overwhelming and I thought it really suited her today and where she is in her show schedule. I was really thrilled with the new outdoor ring when I got here; they did a great job. The courses rode great all week and they were all built perfectly for the class and the competition. Kudos to everyone this week,” commented St. Jacques.
Returning as the first to try her hand at the jump-off track, St Jacques stepped on the gas pedal instantly to jump one. The nine-year-old KWPN mare landed looking for the inside turns and confidently galloped across the ground and through the timers in 35.653 seconds to earn her first career grand prix win.
St. Jacques spoke highly of her talented chestnut mare, “Jakilly came to me in December of 2021. Tal Milstein sent her to me to develop and sell. I campaigned her in 2022 and brought her into the FEI over the summer and jumped her all the way up to the 5* 1.50m Major League Show Jumping class. This winter she was purchased for me so she is officially mine and here to stay! It has been so much fun bringing her up. I started her in the 1.15m and this is her first grand prix win!”
Izzy Beisel (USA) piloted her tried and true mount, Vegas H (Valentino x Cobrah) to a close second place. Beisel, of David Beisel Stables in Goshen, Ohio, was just shy of the winning jump-off time with her ten-year-old Hanoverian gelding. The duo stopped the clock in 35.707 seconds to ultimately earn the red ribbon.
Rounding out the podium was Lorcan Gallagher (IRE) and his seasoned mount Hunters Conlypso II (Contendro I x Cous-Cous). The 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding boasts a long list of successful international placings with Gallagher in the irons. The duo showcased their trusting partnership at Spring I, crossing the timers in 35.934 seconds to add another podium placing to their record.
$25,000 OTW Safety Grand Prix Results:
1 Jakilly, Taylor St. Jacques, Taylor St. Jacques | 0 | 35.653
2 Vegas H, Izzy Beisel, David Beisel | 0 | 35.707
3 Hunters Conlypso II, Lorcan Gallagher, Lorcan Gallagher | 0 | 35.934
4 Joberlina VG, Natalie Thornell, Loveland Equine Investments | 0 | 39.708
5 Jamiroquai, Natalie Thornell, Loveland Equine Investments | 8 | 37.747
6 Iconic, Lani Hutchison, Lani Hutchison | 8 | 38.258
7 Corvet Enigma, Patricio Rodriguez, Patricio Rodriguez LLC | 4 | 69.782
8 Banco Du Moulin, Kady Abrahamson, Abrahamson Equestrian LLC | 4 | 71.22
9 Jadina, Kevin McCarthy, Sweet Oak Farm | 4 | 71.344
10 Vincent, Richard Rinehart, Ron Caraway | 4 | 71.48
Drew Arnold Pilots Chaccomo 11 to $7,500 Futures Prix Win at WEC Ohio Spring I
Early in the afternoon, 18 horse-and-athlete combinations met for the $7,500 Futures Prix in the newly renovated outdoor jumper arena to kick off show jumping action. Ultimately, it was Drew Arnold (USA) that was untouchable with Theresa Kraft’s Chaccomo 11 (Chacco-Blue x Sacenta).
Arnold, of Carmel, Indiana, was the first athlete to contest Bobby Murphy’s (USA) track, instantly laying down a double clear round that remained on top through the entirety of the class.
Arnold spoke on his winning ride with his longtime mount, “Chaccomo does not have a lot of experience with me showing outside, so this is only my second class outside with him. He felt great, he was a bit fresh, so I had a few struggles in the first-round battling with the freshness. Ultimately, it is all mental for me between the first course and jump-off. I know this horse so well. I trust him and I trust all the work that we do at home, so I just sent it in the jump-off!”
Arnold piloted the 14-year-old Mecklenburg gelding to two textbook rounds, making light work of the tracks. With a quick time of 35.181 seconds, the duo was unable to be caught and galloped away with the blue ribbon.
Mark McKone (USA) and his own Fearless (Heartbreaker x Zacha) snagged second place honors. McKone, of MM Equestrian in Dousman, Wisconsin, navigated the first-round track seamlessly, qualifying for the immediate jump-off. The 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion was in perfect form and crossed the times in 38.905 seconds.
Third place was awarded to Lynsey Whitacre (USA) and her 449 Bravo Zulu (Union De Riverland x Story De Riverland). The duo, having earned numerous top placings at WEC Wilmington, returned in top form once again. Whitacre, training out of Windcrest Farm, guided her 11-year-old Warmblood mare to a consistent jump-off round for a time of 39.889 seconds.
$7,500 Futures Prix Results:
1 Chaccomo 11, Drew Arnold, Theresa Kraft | 0 | 35.181
2 Fearless, Mark McKone, Mark McKone | 0 | 38.905
3 449 Bravo Zulu, Lynsey Whitacre, Lynsey Whitacre | 0 | 39.889
4 Captain America, Luke Rinehart, Catherine Rinehart | 4 | 35.354
5 Emil Du Coeur D’or Z, Mark McKone, Mark McKone | 4 | 36.1
6 Karlina T, Devin Milan, Garo Kazan | 4 | 36.798
7 Celeano Vh Lindenhoeve, Heather Froehlich Cortell, Emily Kowit | 8 | 43.597
8 Azealia, Cooper Beisel, David Beisel | 0 | EL
9 Mega Jackpot, Candace Pollaert, Abrahamson Equestrian LLC | 4 | 70.236
10 Ismael, Ashley Stumm, Ashley Stumm | 4 | 73.271
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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.