Wilmington, Ohio – Sixteen-year-old Amy Krebs (USA) marked her third win in a row at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Winter Classic 11 during Thursday evening in the $10,000 Welcome Stake.
Aboard her third and final entry in the class, Ike (Spartacus x Twister), Krebs returned searching for the win over Bobby Murphy’s (USA) track, “I had a heartbreaker rail on my first one and my second one I was just a bit deep for one down. This is the first open class that I have won on Ike, and I really wanted it. I made the inside turns and took strides out where I could. As he went through the round he settled in, and I got more confident.”
After a fresh warm-up, Krebs was thankful for her extra support that got her to the ring, “I am just getting to know Ike, so we are starting to learn a new side of him. He has been quite fresh and excited in the warm-up ring,” laughed Krebs. “He was the same way last week, so it got my nerves going through the roof today. I contemplated not doing the Welcome, but I am glad that Michelle [Zimmer] told me to!”
With her own nine-year-old KWPN gelding, Krebs stopped the clock in 31.911 seconds, nearly six seconds faster than second place to claim her fourth featured win of the 2024 Winter in the Midwest Series.
“I have won three in a row on each of the horses which is really special. I am walking into the ring confident now, but having some rails on the other ones helps to keep me off the high a little bit!” said Krebs.
Lyriss Jaeger (USA) found her place on the podium with her own 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Fortysix & 2 (Carosso VDL x Zafaranta VDL), with a smooth double clear effort in 37.464 seconds for second place.
After a successful debut in Florida, Sarah Meier (USA) made her return to Wilmington a strong one, rounding out the top three on four faults in a quick 33.103 seconds with her own 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Nightshade SCF (Baldev x Olisina).
$10,000 Welcome Stake Results:
1 Ike, Amy Krebs, Amy Krebs | 0 | 31.911
2 Fortysix & 2, Lyriss Jaeger, Lyriss Jaegar | 0 | 37.464
3 Nightshade SCF, Sarah Meier, Sarah Meier | 4 | 33.103
4 Olympic Van De Meyhoeve, Izzy Beisel, Five Way Farm LLC | 0 | 33.103
5 Quincidence, Wilhelm Genn, Wilhelm Genn | 4 | 36.906
6 Retroflex, Sarah Long, Alan Manning | 8 | 34.714
7 Hey Alexa, Amy Krebs, Avanti Sporthorses LLC | 4 | 70.244
8 Jabantos, Amy Krebs, Amy Krebs | 4 | 70.89
9 Boxted Boy, Ann Holliday, Melissa Crain | 4 | 73.776
10 Contigo, Izzy Beisel, David Beisel | 4 | 78.015
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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.