Wilmington, Ohio – A sunny day in Wilmington set the scene at World Equestrian Center for the highlight event of the week. Thirty horse-and-athlete combinations tried their hand at Bobby Murphy’s (USA) first round track in the $25,000 Grand Prix, with only eight qualifying for the jump-off.
Fresh off their win in the $7,500 Welcome Stake, M. Michael Meller’s Fire Fly (Arezzo VDL x First Price G) returned in top form with Kelly Soleau-Millar (USA) in the irons to claim their second blue ribbon of the week.
Soleau-Millar expressed her excitement on what proved a special day in her riding career, “I feel unbelievable actually! I have never done this before, I haven’t won the open class and the grand prix in the same week. I feel very fortunate to have such a good mare,” she expressed. “Fire Fly is one of my favorites. The last grand prix that I won was on a mare that was very similar to her named Itty Bitty and they are both little bays, fast and careful mares. Apparently, I have a type!”
Soleau-Millar entered to best Campbell Brown (USA) and Ashwood Farm LLC’s 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, Indira (Plot Blue x Elaretta), who set the pace in 35.014 seconds, ultimately securing third place.
Soleau-Millar relied on her eight-year-old KPWN mare’s natural competitiveness to cross through the timers in an uncatchable 34.07 seconds for their second win of the week.
“Sometimes with Fire Fly I try and win too much. I feel like I can let her down because I get super excited. I really tried to play my own game this week and not be so focused on what everyone else was doing because she is naturally fast. I just tried to focus on her natural footspeed, how careful she is and how smart she is.”
Soleau-Millar commented on Bobby Murphy’s track, “I thought the track was great. He builds so nicely for developing young horses, but also for the experienced ones. It was tough enough that he didn’t get 15 to 20 clean without also being too difficult for some of the young riders that are stepping into this. It can be hard to build tracks like this. You have young horses, juniors and amateurs, and some more experienced horses as well. Bobby does a fantastic job.”
Nicole Carter (USA) and her winningest 10-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding, It’s Me Du Bosquetiau (Dayton Sitte x Mirette Du Bosquetiau), were just shy of the leading time to land second place in 34.465 seconds.
$25,000 Grand Prix Results:
1 Fire Fly, Kelly Soleau-Millar, M. Michael Meller | 0 | 34.07
2 It’s Me Du Bosquetiau, Nicole Carter, Nicole Carter | 0 | 34.465
3 Indira, Campbell Brown, Ashwood Farm LLC | 0 | 35.014
4 Icon NR, Savannah Embly, North Ridge | 0 | 35.356
5 Nightshade SCF, Sarah Meier, Sarah Meier | 0 | 37.943
6 Eldorado’s Edition, Vanessa McCaughley, Vanessa McCaughley | 0 | 39.866
7 MHS Cardenta, Kevin Gallagher, Mia Albelo | 4 | 33.916
8 Any, Kady Abrahamson, Kady Abrahamson | 4 | 35.244
9 Ochocinco BC, Lizzy Traband, Blue Chip Bloodstock | 4 | 68.258
10 Doonaveeragh Balou, Kelly Soleau-Millar, Qbs Equestrian LLC | 4 | 69.048
Kevin Gallagher & Ninja BF Secure Second $7,500 Futures Prix Win at WEC – Wilmington
The $7,500 Futures Prix saw 26 horse-and-athlete combinations kick-off featured competition Saturday at WEC – Wilmington Summer I. Bobby Murphy (USA) crafted the track that saw 12 pairs move onto the immediate jump-off, with only three double-clear efforts.
Ireland’s Kevin Gallagher returned with his mount, Ninja BF (Chacoon Blue x Pearl), to defend his win in the class at Spring II.
“He is a six-year-old by Chacoon Blue that I have had in the barn since January. He won the six-year-old final in Wellington and then came here and won his first time in the Futures Prix a few weeks ago. He is unbelievably consistent,” Gallagher shared.
The six-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Richard Kirby showcased experience beyond his age in the jump-off, “I came inside to the double which not many people did, and that was why there weren’t too many double clear rounds,” Gallagher noted. “The ones that made the turn had it down. My horse has done a lot of jump-offs now and he is just so smart. He has really figured it out and that was easy for him; he is always looking for the next jump.”
The duo claimed the win in 34.783 seconds, paving the way for a successful summer season ahead.
“For Ninja in particular, I want to aim for the young horse finals in Michigan, so this was another great step up to get him up to that level and also be competitive against horses that aren’t his age. It is great that he came back here again and was consistent. Being here at WEC is like being at a five-star show, but you are able to produce the horses.”
As the third to go in the posted order, Raquel Mazur (USA) was the first to produce a double-clear effort with her own 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Flex Star (Flex A Bill x Nalmund De La Tourette), ultimately securing second place in 35.836 seconds.
Karston Gundry (USA) and Kim Gundry’s nine-year-old KWPN gelding, Kasper (Harley VDL x Tinac) rounded out the podium in 36.667 seconds.
$7,500 Futures Prix Results:
1 Ninja BF, Kevin Gallagher, Richard Kirby | 0 | 34.783
2 Flex Star, Raquel Mazur, Raquel Mazur | 0 | 35.836
3 Kasper, Karston Gundry, Kim Gundry | 0 | 36.667
4 Harmonie L, Campbell Brown, Mmk Equestrian LLC | 4 | 33.84
5 Ileanna SFN, Abbygale Funk, Mmk Equestrian LLC | 4 | 34.215
6 Contigo, Izzy Beisel, David Beisel | 4 | 35.257
7 Billionaire, Alexandra Nelson, Sarah Meier | 4 | 36.54
8 Fleur Z, Lauren Sogard, Lauren Sogard | 4 | 37.85
9 Balou Baldo, Meghan Kaupp, Newcastle Farm LLC | 4 | 38.448
10 Amorem Rose, Richard Rinehart, Richard Rinehart | 8 | 34.215
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Results can be found at horseshowing.com.
All horse show images are provided by Winslow Photography and can be purchased onsite at WEC – Wilmington or online through their website.