The first two weeks of the World Equestrian Center Spring / Summer Series wrapped up on Sunday and provided great sport and good fun to kick off the five-show-long series. This past week exhibitors and spectators alike enjoyed plenty of exciting events including a delicious dinner and entertainment from the Roaming Pig Band in the Paddock Club on Friday, an informational Cadets Horsemanship Clinic about grooming with Tim “The Clipper Guy” Gaskell on Saturday morning, a showing of “Dreamer” in the Paddock Club on Saturday night and a worship service in the Sanctuary Arena on Sunday morning. Accompanying the special events were feature classes from Thursday through Saturday, drawing an excited crowed to the rings to watch fantastic equestrian sport.
Sean Jobin and Foxridge Farms’ Darius (Warrant x Sanita) stole the show for the second week in a row in the $5,000 Welcome Stake 1.35 m sponsored by CWD Sellier on Thursday. During WEC Summer Series I, Jobin and Darius remained neck and neck with Wilhelm Genn and his own Van Gogh (Valentino x Calina Z), swapping wins throughout the week. The pair were both on fire in the Welcome Stake, with Genn riding near the top of the order in the Table II event and delivering two clear rounds in a time of 40.587 seconds. Jobin and Darius rode toward the end of the order, also jumping two clear rounds. The pair were quick, though, managing the short course in 39.597 seconds for the win.
Friday afternoon saw fantastic equestrian sport as sixteen stunning Hunters took to the R+L arena, all vying for the top spot in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby. Belynda Bond and Gesture LLC’s Santana topped the class with two awe-inspiring rounds, earning some of the top scores of the Derby. The pair rode near the top of the order in the first round, exuding classic Hunter skill and taking all four high options for a score of 88. The pair returned early for the handy round to accommodate for Bond’s multiple rides. Bond and the handsome chestnut gelding were brilliant and forward, taking each available inside turn with a clear plan for the next fence. Bond and Santana opted again to take all four high options for a score of 87, bringing their two round total to an impressive 175, topping the class by nine and a half points.
An enthusiastic crowd filled the grand stands of the Sanctuary Arena Saturday afternoon to watch the $25,000 WEC Grand Prix. Twenty-two entries contested a forward-riding track designed by Bobby Murphy of Lexington, Kentucky, but ultimately it was Ohio-based Charlotte Clark and her own Kinsella (Capitalist x Jerpoint Mist) that took the win. The pair were quick in the first round, riding clear in a time of 71.338 seconds. Taylor Kain and Eirecon Equine Sales’ Gipsy 1134 (Corlensky G x Landina) were also impressive in the first round, finishing clear in a time of 72.800 seconds. Competition heated up as entries returned for the jump off. First in the order was Kain and Gipsy 1134. The pair blazed through the course in just 36.381 seconds, setting an incredibly tough time to beat. However, Clark and Kinsella were up for the challenge, strategically riding the inside track and keeping their stride long. The pair crossed the timers at an incredible 35.519 seconds, moving to the top spot on the leader board.
The $7,500 Futures Prix 1.30 m sponsored by Voltaire Design also drew a large crowd on Saturday to watch twenty one entries chase the top honors. David Beisel and Harlow Investment Enterprises, LLC’s For Sunday (For Pleasure x Patoile T.H.) took the win for the second week in a row, jumping clear in the first round in 74.499 seconds then continuing straight to the jump off of the Table II event. Beisel and the scopey mare raced through the course and flew over each fence in their signature style, stopping the clock at 31.518 seconds. Though none could best their time, Futures Prix newcomers Natalie Thornell and Loveland Equine Investments’ Snow White (Clinton x Jung Laguna) held their own for a fantastic second place finish. The pair went double clear, crossing the timers in the second round at 32.042 seconds, about one and a half seconds faster than third place.
The Roberts Arena saw fantastic action on Saturday in the $2,000 Non Pro Hunter Derby 2’6″ where Morgan Restaino and her own Avishai (Apiro x Hollywood Premiere) took home the blue. Avishai’s groom also received the Groom’s Award of $100 cash and a $50 WEC Gift Card for the gelding’s stunning turnout. Restaino and Avishai also took Reserve Champion for the week in the Intermediate Adult Equitation and took top placings in the Intermediate Adult Hunter.
2019 Jumper Prizes
Our Spring / Summer Series features an ongoing opportunity for top jumper riders to earn points toward two special prizes, generously donated by WEC sponsors, that will be awarded at the close of our Fall Series:
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.