From ringside Prix parties to wonderful wins, the World Equestrian Center Fall Classic I horse show was filled with fun both in and out of the show ring. The week began with a thrilling $15,000 Welcome Stake sponsored by CWD Sellier on Thursday, followed by tough competition in both the Open and Non Pro $20,000 USHJA National Hunter Derbies on Friday. The evenings events featured mechanical bull riding in the Paddock Club sponsored by Dragonfly Academy. Spectators evjoyed an elegant ringside exhibitors party during the crowd-rousing action on Saturday night while nearly 40 entires vied for the win in the the $7,500 Futures Prix 1.30m sponsored by Voltaire Design and the $50,000 WEC Grand Prix sponsored by Buckeye Nutrition and
Thursday evening Kevin McCarthy and his own Catch A Star HSS (Sheraton x Tolinda) return to the World Equestrian Center winner’s circle in the $15,000 Welcome Stake sponsored by CWD Sellier after a fantastic Summer of wins on the east coast. The pair stole the top spot about halfway through the order in their signature blazing fast style. McCarthy and the nine year old Swedish Warmblood mare brought their A-game, speeding through the first round with pinpoint accuracy in a time of 67.807 seconds. McCarthy and Catch A Star HSS advanced to the jump off, also opting for the inside turn after the combination. The duo flew through the timers with all rails up at 40.049 seconds, securing the lead and ultimately taking first place.
Friday afternoon began with an exciting first and third place finish for Tammy Provost in the Open $20,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby aboard Brenda Christenson’s All In and Moyer Farm LLC’s Hero (Brainpower x Corini W) respectively. Provost earned scores of 87 and 91 with All In for a total score of 178 and scores of 89 and 87.5 with Hero for a total score of 176.5. Provost was thrilled, saying that the top placings made for an exciting derby.
Friday also saw a fantastic win for junior rider Christopher Coberley aboard Fox Meadow Farm’s No Introduction in the Non Pro $20,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. The pair were fresh off a third place finish in last week’s Non Pro $20,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby and were prepared to give it their all Friday afternoon. Coberley and the eleven year old Warmblood gelding earned scores of 87 and 92 for a two round total of 179, taking the blue in the class.
An enthusiastic crowd gathered for Saturday’s $50,000 World Equestrian Center Grand Prix sponsored by Buckeye Nutrition. Ryan Genn and Bridlebourne Stables LLC’s Colora (Contendro I x Hera XIX) negotiated two foot-perfect rounds to take home the top honors. The pair were one of six entries to advance to the jump off, navigating the first round in 69.954 seconds. Genn and the scopey ten year old Holsteiner mare raced through the short course in 37.961 seconds, securing the top spot.
David Beisel dominated the $7,500 Futures Prix 1.30m sponsored by Voltaire Design on Saturday, taking first and second place aboard Harlow Investment Enterprises, LLC’s For Sunday (For Pleasure x Patoile T. H.) and Maarten Huygens’s Angelo (Conthargos x Grand Ronja), respectively. Beisel rode both horses to incredibly fast jump off times of 37.045 seconds with For Sunday and 37.499 seconds with Angelo.
Saturday also saw an exciting win for Lizzie Stickney and her own Riverdale (Quarnak De Longpre x Vespera) in the $3,500 Non Pro Derby 2’6″. The pair bested twenty six entries for top honors in the class. Stickney and the eight year old Belgian Warmblood stallion also took Champion in the Non Professional Hunters.
Join us for the final week of the World Equestrian Center Fall horse shows featuring the culmination of the Premier Championship Cup, a $50,000 Grand Prix, a $40,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, two $20,000 USHJA National Hunter Derbies (Open and Non-Pro), a $15,000 Welcome Stake, a $10,000 Non Pro Hunter Derby 2’6″, a $7,500 Futures Prix and a plethora of leading rider awards. Live streaming of our Fall Classic II begins October 23, courtesy of ShowNet.
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.