Wilmington, Ohio – Lisa Goldman-Smolen (USA) was back to her winning ways in the Standlee Sanctuary Saturday evening at WEC – Wilmington like she never left. This past October, Goldman-Smolen jumped in her final class at the Fall Classic Series before adding a baby girl to her family and returned to Winter Classic 16 for the first time since, working her way right back to the top of leaderboard in the $30,000 Clinton County CVB Grand Prix.
Aboard her tried-and-true mount, Sovereign (Frontal x Galledent), Goldman-Smolen never missed a beat, also claiming the win in Thursday’s $10,000 Welcome Stake.
“Yesterday was five weeks and it feels great to be back! The horses feel incredible. Sovereign is 19 now and it is just like riding a bike with him. He knows his job so well. I trust these two horses that I did today; they are the reason I am riding now.”
Goldman-Smolen jumped an easy clear effort around Michael Pegg’s (CAN) first round track with the 19-year-old Selle Francais gelding to qualify for the jump-off phase.
“Riding for second is something my mom always says. Sometimes I put too much pressure on myself, and I go too fast and make mistakes. Riding for second means I can still go and have a quick pace,” Goldman-Smolen shared her thoughts as she returned for the jump-off at the end of the order.
“Sam [Pegg] definitely had a faster round than me, he just had an unlucky last rail. There were places where I could have gone faster, but for my first show back and second class back, I call this a win!”
A clean effort in 37.367 seconds put the duo back on top, making it their second featured win of the week.
Sam Pegg (CAN) also had a banner day, securing second and third place.
Aboard Harlow Investment Enterprises eight-year-old Holsteiner mare, Casey H (Cassin x D-arille), he earned the red ribbon in 37.471 seconds, and third place with his own nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Comme Cartani (Comme Il Faut x Wilora) in 39.037 seconds.
$30,000 Clinton County CVB Grand Prix Results:
1 Sovereign, Lisa Goldman-Smolen, Barbara Disko | 0 | 37.367
2 Casey H, Sam Pegg, Harlow Investment Enterprises LLC | 0 | 37.471
3 Comme Cartani, Sam Pegg, Sam Pegg | 0 | 39.037
4 Miss Cloe Z, Elizabeth Naber, Elizabeth Naber | 0 | 40.376
5 Formidable Diamant, Sam Pegg, Harlow Investment Enterprises LLC | 4 | 36.914
6 Ivaro N, Lisa Goldman-Smolen, Lisa Goldman-Smolen | 0
7 Casadimo, Sam Pegg, Sam Pegg | 4 | 68.576
8 Favorite Du Chateau, Emily Reder, Emily Reder | 4 | 71.182
9 Imago Z, Kat Barkema, Jeanne McCusker | 4 | 76.036
10 ESH Imagine, Katie Pelzel, Myrna Folsom | 12 | 71.601
Pathfinder Michael Janson Wins the $10,000 Futures Prix at Winter Classic 16
Pathfinder Michael Janson (USA) proved unbeatable to kick off competition in the Standlee Sanctuary Saturday afternoon aboard his Ringo Star PS (Cicero Z x Hivita) in the $10,000 Futures Prix.
Twelve entries contested Michael Pegg’s (CAN) track, but Janson’s double clear stuck through the entirety at the first to go in the order.
“The courses were really nicely built. So, I was aware of the time allowed going in. I know the horse pretty well. I had had him since he was a five-year-old and he is an eight-year-old now. I know what he could and couldn’t do. I just gave him his best ride for the jump-off,” Janson discussed his plan going first.
The young professional spoke highly of his competitive young mount, Ringo Star PS, “He is one of the most competitive horses I have ridden. He is not the biggest or the fastest, but he just has the most winning mentality. I know every time I go into the ring he just wants to compete.”
The eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding jumped an effortless double clear round with a time of 33.145 seconds that ultimately proved uncatchable to take the win.
Despite a cold, hard winter at their home in Massachusetts, Janson was thrilled with his horse’s performance in Wilmington, “I think it is a testament to the quality of the horses. It was a cold winter, but when they get to the show it is game time.”
“I am lucky that they are so smart and athletic. I am fortunate to have this group. We sourced them in Belgium, and we have really fabulous partners, Jorge Magarino and Nadeih Plegt. It is really because of those guys helping us find incredible young horses that we have a nice stable” he shared.
Christopher Schenk (USA) jumped the second, and only other double clear effort abord his own eight-year-old stallion, Dominant Z (Dominator 2000 Z x Donna), but was just shy of the winning time in 33.238 seconds for second place.
Rounding out the top three was Stefanie Portman (USA) and Lynn Giltinan’s eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Doerak V (Dencognito V x Ensonnevanck V), with a clear round over the jumps and single time fault on their score.
$10,000 Futures Prix Results:
1 Ringo Star PS, Michael Janson, Kimberly Janson | 0 | 33.145
2 Dominant Z, Christopher Schenk, Christopher Schenk | 0 | 33.238
3 Doerak V, Stefanie Portman, Lynn Giltinan | 1 | 80.52
4 Wheeler, Mara Kranz, Mint Hill Farm | 4 | 72.725
5 Quick Release Sho Z, Colleen Holton, Liberty Farms LLC | 4 | 77.362
6 Quincidence, Sam Pegg, Sam Pegg | 4 | 78.612
7 CSS New Groove, Violet Wiley, Violet Wiley | 8 | 70.3
8 Rochas Van De Brouwershoeve, Michael Janson, Kimberly Janson | 8 | 74.404
9 Igor Van Gogh, Amy Taylor, Amy Taylor | 8 | 76.137
10 Centurio From Second Life Z, Drew Arnold, Theresa Kraft | 8 | 83.701