Wilmington, Ohio – Winter Classic 12 at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington featured top hunter/jumper competition from Wednesday, February 28 to Sunday, March 3. Nicole Loochtan was back on top in the $30,000 Grand Prix. Michael Janson scored his second one-two finish in the $10,000 Futures Prix. Kelsey Epperson secured her third $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby win, while Izzy Beisel switched gears to win the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby. Janson started out the week with first and second place in the $10,000 Welcome Stake.
Loochtan piloted her own nine-year-old KWPN gelding, Kupardie (Cidane x Akupardie), to his first ever $30,000 Grand Prix to take the win.
“My really good horse, Marvin, has been top three in every grand prix that he has done this winter, and he didn’t jump tonight. Almost a year ago, I did my first grand prix with Marvin here and he won it. His little brother is following in his footsteps. Marvin has had quite the career, so I think Birdie is also going to follow that path. It was his first time stepping up and he blew it out of the water.”
Joe Carnicom’s (USA) technically set $10,000 Futures Prix proved difficult for the field, though it was no match for Michael Janson (USA) who scored his second one-two finish of the week with Ringo Star PS (Cicero Z x Hivita) and Caveman Z (Carthargo Z x Amelia Z), respectively.
Janson discussed the role that WEC – Wilmington has played in the development of ‘Ringo,’ “This is the most horse friendly venue we have ever been to. We started showing Ringo seriously here. We were able to get his feet wet and if we needed to go a little bit slower, it allowed him to. But it also really allowed him to experience great competition. It has been amazing for his development.”
Epperson piloted Pamella Kissman’s 10-year-old KWPN gelding, Incredible (El Salvador x Budine) to scores of 89 and 94 for the win in the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby.
“He was not a derby horse when he came to us. Pamella [Kissman] has been with us for a year and a half, and ‘Jack’ keeps getting better and better. We moved up to the 3’6″ greens this year and decided to start trying some derbies, so now he is a derby horse! That’s his job. Pam is such a good owner and a great horsewoman.”
Beisel switched gears from the jumper ring to take the win in the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby aboard Harlow Investment Enterprises, LLC’s 13-year-old Westphalian gelding, Caius (Camaz L x Cuba Libre), with scores of 88 and 90.
“I would like to thank Mrs. Harlow for the ride on this horse. She bought him a while ago for my dad to do the grands prix on, and he ended up being too quiet. He is always chill and calm. He is a good hunter for me to ride after doing all the jumpers because he doesn’t want to go fast. No matter how much I kick him, I never go fast,” Beisel discussed her transition from the jumpers to the hunters.
Janson secured first and second place with his top duo of the week, Ringo Star PS and Caveman Z, in the $10,000 Welcome Stake.
Janson spoke highly of his team behind-the-scenes that contributes to the success of his horses, “I am in partnership with my parents on these horses. We have a lot of young horses and ponies upcoming at Legacy Farms. My fiancé Dylan helps me here and at home. I have super grooms, Juliane and Jose. They are outstanding. It is a lot of work, but the team and the horses are great.”
Competition at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington continues Wednesday, March 6, with Winter Spring Forward.
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.