Wilmington, Ohio – August 10, 2023 –The $10,000 Welcome Stake sponsored by Dimples Horse Treats kicked off jumper competition at World Equestrian Center – Ohio Summer III. Course designer Joey Rycroft (USA) crafted the track for the field of seasoned athletes, but it was Devin Milan (USA) that perfected it as the final entry to go aboard Garo Kazan’s Conquest (Colestus x Excellenta C).

Milan of Ann Arbor, Michigan, was third to go in the order with her first of two mounts, Karlina T (Cabrio Van De Heffinck x Goberlina T). Starting off the class with just four penalty-points in the jump-off with eight-year-old KWPN mare, the young professional proved confident as she entered with her second ride.

Milan returned to WEC – Ohio with a fresh perspective, “When we got back home after the last show, we thought a lot about the fact that both horses are only eight. When they are going so well, it is easy to get excited and want to continue moving up. We took a moment to reset and build our confidence up, and now we will go up from there. It paid off today.”

Returning as the final entry, the duo had a quick time to beat of 30.168 seconds, posted by Patricio Rodriguez (ARG) and his eight-year-old Warmblood mare Corvet Enigma (Corvet Embrujo x Remonta Portuaria). Rodriguez, having won two Welcome Stakes during the Spring/Summer Series at WEC – Ohio, was in great form and held the lead for half of the class until bested by Milan, landing him in second place.

Conquest was in impressive form as the eight-year-old Zangersheide gelding tackled the course, not touching a rail. Moving onto the immediate jump-off phase, Milan pressed on the gas pedal after the first vertical, and Conquest answered with lightning speed and consistency to take the win in 29.128 seconds.

“My plan for the first round was to show my greener horse the triple combination and the liverpool. I just wanted to make sure that he got to see those before I started. You can’t keep everything systematic on course all the time, especially when you are riding a green horse, so I focused on keeping my rhythm consistent. I wanted Hot Dog to feel secure with me on his back, so I was just trying to give him the confidence in that first round,” Milan discussed her plan as she entered the arena.

As the first to contest with her own Jackson VDL (Zirocco Blue VDL x Design O), Megan Bash (USA) held onto her podium placing through the entirety of the class. Bash, of Cleveland Equestrian, piloted her own nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding to a flawless double clear effort, crossing through the timers in 30.247 seconds to ultimately secure third place.

Final Results – $10,000 Dimples Horse Treats Welcome Stake

1) Devin Milan (USA) & Conquest, Garo Kazan | 0 | 29.128

2) Patricio Rodriguez (ARG) & Corvet Enigma, Patricio Rodrigeuz LLC | 0 | 30.168

3) Megan Bash (USA) & Jackson VDL, Cleveland Equestrian | 0 | 30.247

4) Darby Pease (USA) & Cumbaya W, Hillary Gromus | 0 | 32.292

5) Wilhelm Genn (GER) & Quincidence, Wilhelm Genn | 0 | 32.598

6) Devin Milan (USA) & Karlina T, Garo Kazan | 4 | 30.107

7) Megan Bash (USA) & FF Dior, Cleveland Equestrian | 4 | 32.173

8) Drew Arnold (USA) & Chaccomo 11, Theresa Kraft | 4 | 75.849

9) Kady Abrahamson (USA) & Any, Abrahamson Equestrian LLC | 4 | 77.347

10) Charlotte Clark (USA) & Kinsella, Charlotte Clark | 4 | 77.661

Source:  Press Release from World Equestrian Center

Photos: © Winslow Photography.

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