Wilmington, Ohio – Jumper competition stole the spotlight Saturday at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington during Winter Classic #3. At the conclusion of the special Gamblers Choice classes, top-notch athletes were welcomed back into the Sanctuary for the $30,000 WEC – Wilmington Grand Prix. It was the day of Darby Pease (USA), as she claimed her third ever grand prix win in the highly anticipated $30,000 WEC Grand Prix aboard Louisa Robb’s Carel Van Donderen.
Bobby Murphy (USA) crafted a towering, yet delicate track for the field of 22 horse-and-athlete combinations. Exhibitors alike flocked to the stands to watch the nail biting, elite competition. Starting with a wide oxer quickly out of the turn, riders were asked to maintain their horse’s balance through the entirety of the track to ensure a clear round. Eight combinations qualified for the jump-off round where they returned to tackle two bending lines, a roll-back and an oxer-vertical combination.
Pease of Danville, Kentucky, was the first athlete to lay down a clear first round aboard her top mount, Carel Van Donderen (Acolino x Terania Die Hoeghte). The pair is a force to be reckoned with at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington as they have continuously proven their winning ways through the entire fall and winter series.
Returning first in the order of go for the jump-off phase, Pease left no room for error and forced the rest of the class to chase her. The 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding saw no challenge in the technicality of the jump-off, remaining on a large gallop and balancing beautifully to the base of each obstacle. The pair left all the rails intact and landed through the timers in 36.195 seconds to secure their third grand prix victory together.
“This was such a great way to end the season and I am so proud of her (Darby Pease) for all her hard work. I am so proud of this entire team, and I am so thankful for the group of people here at WEC – Wilmington,” remarks Pease’s trainer, Teri Knowlton, on their winning day.
Second place was awarded to another frequent WEC – Wilmington winner, Michael Burnett (USA). Burnett of Burnett Farms in Lebanon, Indiana, piloted his winningest mount, Chagrand, to a double-clear effort right on Pease’s heels. The duo was in top form after their win in Thursday’s $10,000 WEC Welcome Stake and looking to earn another blue. The 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding made clear that he was not touching the rails, however one extra stride in the roll-back turn earned the pair the red ribbon with a time of 36.499 seconds.
Luis F. Saenz (GUA) and VDL Maverick rounded out the podium in the $30,000 WEC Grand Prix. The 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding jumping in textbook form, making exceptional efforts over each obstacle. The young horse boasts an impressive list of FEI ranking classes and continues to build on his experience and success with Saenz in the irons. With a double clear effort and a jump-off time of 37.722 seconds, the duo went home with the yellow ribbon.
WEC – Wilmington sponsor Vitalize presented the Blazin’ Fastest Four Faulter $1,000 bonus in the $30,000 WEC Grand Prix to Genevieve Munson and Charlene, who earned 67.562 seconds in the first round, finishing tenth in the class overall.
$30,000 WEC Grand Prix Results
1 Carel Van Donderen, Darby Pease, Louisa Robb |0 | 36.195
2 Chagrand, Michael Burnett, Michael Burnett | 0 | 36.499
3 VDL Maverick, Luis F. Saenz, Amanda Harris | 0 | 37.722
4 Vegas H, Izzy Beisel, David Beisel | 0 | 39.088
5 Conny 409, Kama Godek, Kama Godek | 4 | 36.744
6 Vincent, Richard Rinehart, Ron Caraway | 8 | 37.237
7 Diaz Barbotiere, Izzy Beisel, Izzy Beisel | 8 | 45.975
8 Kinsella, Charlotte Clark, Charlotte Clark | 12 | 40.620
9 Charlene, Genevieve Munson, Genevieve Munson | 4 | 67.562
10 Jackson VDL, Megan Bash, Cleveland Equestrian | 4 | 73.161
Richard Rinehart & Captain America Soar to the Win in the $10,000 Voltaire Futures Prix
Early on Friday evening, the Sanctuary hosted 19 horse-and-athlete combinations the $10,000 Voltaire Futures Prix. Bobby Murphy (USA) crafted the difficult 12-obstacle track for the talented field of horses. In the end, no one could best Richard Rinehart (USA) and Captain America (Contendro) as they topped the field by nearly three whole seconds.
Rinehart of Rinehart Farm in Westfield, Indiana, is experienced with this mount, sharing the ride with his son, Luke Rinehart. The eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding is quickly making a name for himself in the open jumper classes, most recently posting a quick and clear effort in the $10,000 Futures Prix at Winter Classic 2 and the championship in the Modified Children’s Jumpers at Midwest Indoors II.
Rinehart jumped a smooth, clear first-round to qualify for the immediate jump-off phase. Looking to best the leading time, Rinehart pressed on the gas pedal to find himself on top of the podium once again. Crossing through the timers in a lightning fast 34.150 seconds, the duo claimed another blue ribbon.
Taking an early lead in the class was Genevieve Munson (USA) and Zonderling (Escudo I x Or-Animo). The duo was the second pair to jump the impressive track, posting an immediate double clear effort. Munson of Rogers, Arkansas, piloted the 18-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding to two powerful rounds. Their jump-off time of 36.308 held the lead through the entirety of the class until they were ultimately best by Rinehart to take second place.
Kevin McCarthy (IRL) and Sweet Oak Farm’s Jadina (Canabis Z x Tordina) found their place on the podium in the coveted class once again. McCarthy piloted the eight-year-old KWPN mare to the win in the $10,000 Futures Prix during Midwest Indoors I. Jumping a super double-clear effort in Friday evenings class, McCarthy added another confident success to the young mare’s record. The pair landed through the timers in 37.231 seconds to round out the podium and secure the third-place position.
$10,000 Voltaire Futures Prix Results
1 Captain America, Richard Rinehart, Catherine Rinehart | 0 | 34.150
2 Zonderling, Genevieve Munson, Mark Holden | 0 | 36.308
3 Jadina, Kevin McCarthy, Sweet Oak Farm | 0 | 37.231
4 Lady Stakkata, Kama Godek, Kama Godek | 0 | 37.797
5 Favorite Du Chateau, Emily Reder, Emily Reder | 0 | 41.929
6 Chicago M, Kacy Lyn Smith, Z41 LLC | 0 | 42.634
7 Zendaya, Lanie Thomas, Neil Badcock | 0 | 44.114
8 Honey Girl, Ragen McGowan, Keely O’Hara | 4 | 41.583
9 Ismael, Ashley Stumm, Ashley Stumm | 8 | 37.254
10 Balugata, Liz Hutchison, Stellar Farms, INC | 1 | 86.914
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 HorseShowing.com.
Photos courtesy of Winslow Photography
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