The World Equestrian Center Spring and Summer Series kicked off this week with plenty of thrilling equestrian sport in our outdoor show complex. Exhibitors enjoyed a Memorial Day themed painting party on Friday along with a delicious dinner of pulled pork and brisket in the Paddock Club, an informative Cadets Horsemanship Clinic with The Infused Equestrian Saturday morning, a dog adoption with the Wilmington Area Humane Society under the pavilion, delicious hors d’oeuvres during the Grand Prix prepared by WEC’s Executive Chef, and a showing of the classic kids’ movie ‘Spirit’ in the Paddock Club on Saturday night. Exhibitors also filled the stands to watch Hunter and Jumper action in feature classes on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The week began with a brilliant win by Canada’s Sean Jobin and Foxridge Farms’ Darius (Warrant x Sanita) on Thursday in the $5,000 Welcome Stake 1.35 m sponsored by CWD Sellier. The pair bested twenty two entries and jumped the only double clear of the class, sending them straight to the top of the leader board. Jobin and the scopey bay gelding powered through the first course, leaving all jumps up and crossing the timers at 78.780 seconds, continuing straight to the jump off. The pair delivered a foot-perfect second round in the jump off, taking the inside turns when possible and jumping clear in a time of 41.110 seconds. Though there were a few impressive four faulters, like second place finishers Ryan Genn and Eduardo Leon’s Front Page (Alicante) who rode the short course in just 38.725 seconds, Jobin and Darius were the only pair to deliver two clear rounds, leaving them atop the leader board though to the end of the class.
Friday afternoon saw twenty entries vying for the win in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby. Several entries scored well into the eighties, making for tough Derby competition, but ultimately it was Linda Radigan and Alexa Kaas’ Charismatic (Chap x Hauptstutbuch) that topped the class with two stunning rounds. Radigan also took fourth place with Luisa Kaas’ Rehy Wonder Boy (Harlequin du Carel x Cavalier Royale), sixth place with Jamie Gunyula’s Interstellar (Etoulon VDL x Unzell VDL) and tenth place with Remeta Sky LLC’s RS Darwin (Zizi Top x Zadanita). Radigan and Charismatic wowed the judges, earning scores of 88 in the first round and 89 in the second round for a two round total of 177. The pair are no stranger to the winners circle at WEC, also taking first place in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby last Fall.
An enthusiastic crowd gathered by the outdoor Jumper ring Saturday afternoon to watch nineteen entries vie for the win in the $25,000 WEC Grand Prix. Always a crowd favorite, Wilhelm Genn stole the top two placings aboard his own Van Gogh (Valentino x Calina Z) and Eduardo Leon’s Dirocco Blue (Zirocco Blue VDL x Kivoli). Genn was one of the first to navigate the course aboard Van Gogh, jumping the first clear round of the class in 76.682 seconds and securing a spot in the jump off. Near the middle of the order, Genn returned to the ring aboard Dirocco Blue, jumping another clear round in a time of 76.862 seconds. Genn and Van Gogh were first to return for the jump off, keeping a steady pace and taking inside turns where possible, crossing the timers with all the rails up at 40.647 seconds and setting the pace for the remaining entries. Last to jump off, Genn returned aboard Dirocco Blue. Knowing he had secured the win with Van Gogh, Genn focused on leaving the rails up, riding a steady jump off to build Dirocco Blue’s confidence. The pair rode the short course in 43.458 seconds, sliding neatly into second place.
Saturday also saw twenty two entries attempt the $7,499 Futures Prix 1.30 m sponsored by Voltaire Design. Though there was tough competition, it was ultimately David Beisel and Harlow Investment Enterprises, LLC’s For Sunday (For Pleasure x Patoile T.H.) that took the win. The pair rode near the bottom of the order, taking their time in the first round, stopping the clock at 75.238 seconds. Beisel and the nine year old Dutch Warmblood mare continued straight to the jump off of the Table II event, picking up pace on the short course, taking their signature tight turns and flying over each fence. The pair crossed the timers at 35.214 seconds, topping the class by over a second.
The Hunter ring saw fantastic action on Saturday in the $2,000 Non Pro Hunter Derby 2’6″ when eleven year old Luke Rinehart rode Taylor Johnson’s Cavalli to victory in the class for the second time this year. The pair also took first place during Week 18 of the Winter Series of the Midwest at WEC just last month. The pair also took the Champion title in the Intermediate Children’s Equitation and several top placings in the Intermediate Children’s Hunters.
Our Spring / Summer Series features the opportunity for top jumper riders to earn more points toward two special awards, generously donated by WEC sponsors:
2019 Jumper Prizes
EquiJet Leading Young Professional Rider Award
The young professional rider under 30 years of age that accumulates the most points from 1/1/19 – 10/27/19 will receive a $5,000 voucher from EquiJet. To ensure that your points are being tracked, make sure that you are signed up for a WEC Membership! Signing up is simple, just register for WEC points online at www.wec.net, or sign up in the show office during your next horse show.
Flexi Equine Leading Jumper Rider Award
The rider that earns the most money in the Jumper ring will receive a WEC branded tack locker from Flexi Equine Tack Lockers. Junior, Amateur and Professional Jumper riders are all eligible.
Join us at the World Equestrian Center for the Spring & Summer Series. The prize list is available online at www.wec.net, and entries are being accepted via www.horseshowing.com and through Equestrian Connect. Reservations for stalls, hay and bedding as well as RV spaces may all be made online at www.horseshowing.com.
Become a WEC Member today! Your WEC Membership is your exclusive, all-access pass to everything World Equestrian Center. Signing up is simple, just register for WEC points online at www.wec.net, or sign up in the show office during your next horse show
Photos courtesy of Randi Muster Photography.