Megan Bash & Jackson VDL Notch Third $10,000 WEC Wilmington Welcome Win

By Jumper News Branches on March 11, 2022

Wilmington, Ohio – March 09, 2022 – Week 13 of World Equestrian Center’s Winter Classic horse show series is well underway, bringing top competition to both the hunter and jumper arenas. A field of twelve standard-topping jumpers challenged the $10,000 Welcome Stake 1.35m in the Sanctuary arena today over a track constructed by Joey Rycroft (CAN), that featured several bending lines, as well as multiple combinations and a liverpool.

Five entries went clear in the qualifying round, but just one pair managed a double clear effort. Megan Bash (USA) and Jackson VDL (Zirocco Blue VDL x Design O) topped the $10,000 Welcome Stake, laying down two spectacular double clear rounds for another WEC Welcome Stake win.

Today marked the third Welcome Stake win for Bash of Cleveland Equestrian in Novelty, Ohio, and her gorgeous gray. They completed round one in 71.252 seconds, well under the allowed time of 78 seconds.

When asked how she prepares for the WEC feature classes she replied, “The work happens at home. Once we are at the facility I work on keeping him loose. We rode in last Saturday’s Grand Prix, and I haven’t jumped him until today. I try to focus on flatwork and I leave the conditioning and harder work at home.”

Bash (USA) and the 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood continued straight to the jump-off, making no mistakes while they fiercely galloped down the bending lines and soared to the top of each effort, to complete the short course in a quick 36.313 seconds, ultimately winning the class.

Bash (USA) went on to speak about Jackson VDL and riding today’s course. “Three out of four weeks showing, Jackson and I have been the Welcome winners! He is a winning machine and back to what I said during our first interview, he gives me 200% every ride. My job is staying out of his way. I’ve never jumped this designer’s courses, but it was super fun. It was a little intimidating when I walked it because he used the ring very differently than the other course designers. There were different bending lines and jumps out of the corner. It was a great challenge and I look forward to the rest of the week!”