Wilmington, Ohio – October 31, 2021 – The WEC Sanctuary Arena hosted top equestrian sport today with an international field of competitors for the $50,000 Grand Prix 1.40m – 1.45m; the finale of the Fall Classic series. Courses were designed by Anderson Lima of Brazil and featured winding, technical tracks with sweeping turns and multiple combinations. Stunning autmunal decor including unique elements such as a lovely pond feature and a fun ferris wheel. The atmosphere was festive, with ringside hospitality of an elegant hors d’oeuvres spread making the last Saturday evening of October extra special for spectators.
Twenty-two horse-and-rider combinations contested the grand prix course with six entries advancing to the jump off, but it was Taylor Land (USA) of Pinetree Stables in Newnan, Georgia and Get Go who emerged victorious.
Get Go (Grey Top x Wantana) and Land have been competing together for nearly five years and their partnership shines through. This duo effortlessly won their class, with a two second lead ahead of second place. Land and the 9-year-old Hanoverian gelding jumped a clean and smooth first round, stopping the clock in 73.330 seconds, well under the 78 second allowed time. They returned to the jump-off and flew through the short course in just 37.862 seconds, putting spectators on the edge of their seats and ultimately taking the big win.
We caught up with Taylor to chat about her strategy for the class. “The first round was challenging enough. There were many big turns where you needed to make time. I took advantage of my horse’s large stride, so I was able to leave out strides in a few spots to save time. I thought that the jump off was so fun! ‘Grumbles’, that’s his name, handled it so well. My strategy was to go smooth and forward and to put some pressure on the people behind me!”
Caiman des Sequoias (Radco D’houtveld x Sublime De La Cour) and Nicole Loochtan (USA) left all of the rails up in the first round and crossed the timers in 75.751 seconds. Loochtan and the thirteen-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding gave it their all in the jump-off, jumping clean and finishing the course in a speedy 39.097 seconds to claim the second place spot.
Rounding out the top three is Kady M. Abrahamson (USA) and her own Vancouver (Valentino x Cocco). Abrahamson and Vancouver have been steadily climbing the rankings during the WEC Fall Classic series and were on their A-game tonight. They left all rails up in the first round in a time of 77.418 seconds, conserving plenty of energy for their second round where they crossed the timers in 39.195 seconds.
Final Results – $50,000 Grand Prix
1) Taylor Land (USA) & Get Go – 0 / 0 – 37.862
2) Nicole Loochtan (USA) & Caiman Des Sequoias – 0 / 0 – 39.097
3) Kady M. Abrahamson (USA) & Vancouver – 0 / 0 – 39.195
4) Ryan Michael Genn (USA) & VDL Gerinus T – 0 / 4 – 39.090
5) Kevin Mealiff (IRL) & Aristot – 0 / 4 – 39.487
6) Colin Syquia (PHI) & Fiper – 0 / 4 – 42.020
7) Sabine Cooper (USA) & Nazarine Van De Axelhoeve – 1 / 78.375
8) Michael D. Burnett (USA) & Chagrand – 4 / 65.965
9) Gustavo Prato (ARG) & King van het keyzerhof – 4 / 69.175
10) Kady Abrahamson (USA) & Limerick – 4 / 74.385
Source: Press Release from WEC – World Equestrian Center
Photos: © Winslow Photography
Categories: Results, World Equestrian Center
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