Wilmington, Ohio – Winter Classic 11 at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington featured top hunter/jumper competition from Wednesday, February 21 to Sunday, February 24. Izzy Beisel secured the $30,000 Grand Prix win Saturday evening. Ivan Espada clinched the win in the $10,000 Voltaire Futures Prix. Kaitlyn Skog topped the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby while Gabrielle Sharlow won the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby. Amy Krebs claimed her third win in a row in the $10,000 Welcome Stake Thursday evening.
Beisel and her 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding Diaz Barbotiere (Messire Ardent x Quambera Barbotiere) topped the $30,000 Grand Prix by nearly four seconds.
As one of the winningest junior riders at WEC – Wilmington, Beisel discussed the preparation that keeps her horses happy, “We don’t jump much at home. My horses get a 20–30-minute flat and then we do about an hour of grass time. It takes me all day,” Beisel laughed.
Espada ultimately surpassed the class in 32.082 seconds with his own 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding Asdi La Vista (Asdi Villagana x Uppsala) to take the win in the $10,000 Voltaire Futures Prix.
“I got him when he was just seven years old. He had all the bloodlines to jump but didn’t know anything about jumping when I got him. We have done everything together. This is one of my first wins in a class at 1.30m. I am so happy! He is super careful and is my ride. If I am good, he will always be there for me.”
Skog returned for the second week in a row with Melissa Hague’s 12-year-old Warmblood gelding Sazerac to top the leaderboard in the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby.
“I just wanted to go back in and stick to my plan this time in the second round. I thought the track was challenging. To start with the first line away from the gate, I knew I really needed to get down there in eight strides. I wanted to start with a good canter and after that I felt really good,” Skog elaborated.
Sharlow that rode to her first derby win at WEC – Wilmington with Bays and Grays, LLC’s 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Kudos in the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby.
“I have done a few derbies back in St. Louis. I did the derby here last weekend, and I didn’t make it back in the top 12. So, it is crazy that this is not only my first time placing in a derby here, but my first time winning. I have never scored a 90 before and it feels so amazing. I can’t stop smiling! I wanted to cry happy tears when I heard my score.”
Sixteen-year-old Krebs marked her third win in a row Thursday evening in the $10,000 Welcome Stake with her own nine-year-old KWPN gelding Ike (Spartacus x Twister).
After a fresh warm-up, Krebs was thankful for her extra support that got her to the ring, “I am just getting to know Ike, so we are starting to learn a new side of him. He has been quite fresh and excited in the warm-up ring,” laughed Krebs. “He was the same way last week, so it got my nerves going through the roof today. I contemplated not doing the Welcome, but I am glad that Michelle [Zimmer] told me to!”
Competition at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington continues Wednesday, February 28, with Winter Classic 12.
Make sure to visit the WEC Blog and follow us on social media @worldequestriancenter for full coverage on all feature classes!
Results can be found at horseshowing.com.
All horse show images are provided by Winslow Photography and can be purchased onsite at WEC – Wilmington or online through their website.