Wilmington, Ohio, USA – February 24, 2022 – Week 11 of the Winter in the Midwest indoor horse show circuit kicked off tonight as ten horse and rider combinations took to the Sanctuary Arena to contest the $10,000 WEC Welcome Stake 1.35m. Bobby Murphy of Lexington, Kentucky, designed a course that challenged competitors to negotiate the serpentine-like track, which rewarded a flowing pace and tested adjustability with a number of wide oxers and vertical-to-vertical efforts. Three pairs went double clear but it was Kevin McCarthy (IRL) and his own Catch A Star HSS (Sheraton x Tolinda) who once again proved impossible to beat.

McCarthy (IRL) and the 12-year-old Swedish Wamblood mare marched around the first round with purpose, posting a textbook clean round to earn a spot in the jump off. The formidable pair tackled the short course in a tidy, fault-free 39.345, which put them firmly atop the leader board, a position they held throughout the remainder of the class.

Charlotte Clark (USA) and her own Kinsella (Capitalist x Jerpoint Mist) posted a first round time of 75.455, with all the rails up. Clark of Kendalwood Farm in Sunbury, Ohio, and the stylish 2010 Irish Sport Horse mare continued straight to the jump off of the Table 2b event, turning up the heat and stopping the clock at 41.429 for a second place finish.

David Beisel (USA) and his own Vegas H  (Valentino x Cobrah) delivered a clean and clear first round to advance to the short course. Beisel of David Beisel Stables in Goshen, Ohio and the 9-year-old Hanoverian stallion made easy work of the jump-off track laying down a clear round in a time of 44.473 to round out the top three.

Final Results – $10,000 WEC Welcome Stake 1.35m 

1) Kevin McCarthy (IRL) & Catch A Star HSS – 0 / 0 – 39.345

2) Charlotte Clark (USA) & Kinsella – 0 / 0 – 41.429

3) David Beisel (USA) & Vegas H – 0 / 0 – 44.473

Source: Press Release from WEC – World Equestrian Center

Photo: © Winslow Photography

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