Wilmington, Ohio – March 11, 2023 –Exhibitors flocked to the Sanctuary Arena Saturday evening at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington for the $30,000 Shires Equestrian Products Grand Prix. International course designer Michael Pegg (CAN) built the track that proved challenging for the field with just a lone combination posting a clear jumping effort. Lani Hutchison (USA) prevailed to stand atop the podium for her first ever grand prix win with her own Iconic (Falaise De Muze x Dinadja).
Hutchison, training with Charlotte Clark of Kendalwood Farm in Sunbury, Ohio, was the second to last athlete to tackle the track and simply needed a clear first round to earn a podium placing. The crowd was hushed as the 19-year-old amateur rider made light work of the task at hand.
Hutchison commented on her longtime partner, “We imported Icon [Iconic] when he was six and he is turning ten this year. We just moved up to the prix at the end of last year, so this is huge for him! I started him in the baby two-foot jumpers and I wasn’t quite sure if he would make it up to this level. We have shown here quite a lot, and this is his place. This is his favorite ring. He has always been a super careful horse and when no one goes clear he is always surprising me when he can.”
Aboard her ten-year-old KWPN gelding, Hutchison made history as she answered the technicality of the track fault free in a time of 69.325 seconds to earn her first career grand prix win.
“The course was definitely set a little technical today. Icon has always been good at the technical tracks. I just went in with the mindset that if I could go clear maybe I could get a win and he was right there with me. He was so good and super responsive today,” commented Hutchison.
Samuel Overton (AUS) of Overton Showjumping in Queensland, Australia, piloted his own Oaks Cassanova (Ego Casablanca x Oaks Alto) to the red ribbon. The duo made their debut at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington one to remember with their sights set on FEI™ World Cup Finals in Omaha, Nebraska next month. Overton and the 14-year-old Warmblood gelding pulled an unlucky rail to ultimately earn fastest four-faulter status with a time of 67.665, good enough for second place.
Canada’s Sam Pegg found his place on the podium once again, this time with Big Girl Z (Big Star JR KZ x Oglaya). Pegg, of Ten Sixty Stables in Uxbridge, Ontario, piloted his ten-year-old Zangersheide mare to a single rail and a time of 68 seconds even for third place.
WEC – Wilmington sponsor Vitalize presented the Blazin’ Fastest Four Faulter $500 bonus in the $30,000 Grand Prix to Samuel Overton and Oaks Cassanova, who earned 67.665 seconds in the first round, finishing second in the class overall.
$30,000 Shires Equestrian Products Grand Prix Results:
1) Lani Hutchison (USA) & Iconic, Lani Hutchison | 0 | 69.325
2) Samuel Overton (AUS) & Oaks Caasanova, Samuel Overton | 4 | 67.665
3) Sam Pegg (CAN) & Big Girl Z, Ten Sixty Stables | 4 | 68
4) Sam Pegg (CAN) & Gin Tonic 158, Ten Sixty Stables | 4 | 68.33
5) Megan Bash (USA) & Jackson VDL, Cleveland Equestrian | 4 | 70.408
6) Izzy Beisel (USA) & Vegas H, David Beisel | 4 | 71.384
7) Megan Bash (USA) & FF Dior, Cleveland Equestrian | 4 | 72.062
8) Izzy Beisel (USA) & Diaz Barbotiere, Izzy Beisel | 8 | 68.195
9) Charlotte Clark (USA) & Kinsella, Charlotte Clark | 8 | 69.186
10) Kristen Hillier (USA) & Quintessential WF, Nancy Mulholland | 12 | 72.108
Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center
Photos: © Andrew Ryback Photography
Categories: Results, USEF Rated, World Equestrian Center
JUMPER NEWS USA 