Wilmington, Ohio – Featured competition of Fall Classic 2 at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington concluded Saturday evening with Taylor St. Jacques (CAN) standing atop the podium after the $50,000 Grand Prix. Luke Rinehart (USA) was on a winning streak as he topped the $10,000 Futures Prix and the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby. Vicente Guillen (VEN) started the week with a win in the $15,000 Welcome Stake.
St. Jacques kicked off her comeback season with her nine-year-old KWPN mare, Jakilly (Harley VDL x Zakilly), with a winning time of 32.45 seconds in the $50,000 Grand Prix.
“My plan was to go for a nice double clear. Jakilly hasn’t shown since July, and I haven’t jumped a full course since the first week of August! I was sidelined due to an injury. It’s really good prize money up here, so I figured we would do a couple of shows here before we head back to Florida. I wanted to come and have a nice training week but also be a little competitive!”
In a time of 29.408 seconds, Rinehart earned his third featured win in two weeks in the $10,000 Futures Prix with his own nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Captain America 10 (Contendro).
Rinehart piloted his newest mount, Caeser, first, and felt prepared to win with Captain America 10, “My first class ever on Caeser was this morning. It was nice that I got to jump it once before I got on Captain, so I knew how the six rode. My dad said that the second jump in the jump-off was the most important and it would set the track for the rest of the course. I caught it just how I wanted it, so I was able to keep rolling. I found the rhythm and just stuck to it.”
Hillary Johnson (USA) soared above the competition in the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby with Kendall Meijer’s 10-year-old Selle Francias gelding, Elliot.
“Elliot is owned by Kendal Meijer. She shows him in the Adult Hunters mostly. He is here this week getting ready to go to Harrisburg. This was his one class this week to give him a little tune up. I thought the courses were lovely. It really flowed well. I always love the courses here. The ring rides so nicely. It is a great way to get ready for the national indoor shows.”
Rinehart and his own 11-year-old KWPN gelding Hero (Brainpower x Corini W) earned scores of 90 and 86 to win the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby.
“My plan changed from the walk to the handy. I originally wanted to do the inside turn from one to two, but I was sitting in a good spot. I decided that playing it safe would be the better option. The course suited Hero. He likes those long bending lines; he can jump the oxers with some impulsion,” said Rinehart.
Guillen and his 12-year-old Oldenburg mare, Caribi (Stakkato x Moonlight IX), jumped in perfect style, and shaved off precious time in the turns for a leading time of 32.886 seconds in the $15,000 Welcome Stake.
Of his three talented mounts entered in the class, Guillen knew that he could excel with his quick and careful mare. “Caribi is very fast and careful. I brought her here to do the Welcome Stake and the Futures Prix. I won’t jump her in the grand prix because she is more comfortable and careful in the other classes. She was fifth in the $10,000 Futures Prix last week. She always loves to do it and wants to do it. She is very, very competitive!”
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Results can be found at wec.net.
All horse show images are provided by Winslow Photography and can be purchased onsite at WEC – Wilmington or online through their website.