Wilmington, Ohio – December 15, 2023 – Richard Rinehart (USA) and Captain America 10 (Contendro) scored their second consecutive $10,000 Welcome Stake win over Joe Carnicom’s (USA) tracks at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Winter Classic 3.

Out of a field of 15 experienced horse-and-athlete combinations, Rinehart was the only rider to try the inside turn from jumps one to two in the jump-off to speed to the top of the leaderboard.

“I thought it was a nice course today. There were several questions. ‘Captain’ made a great effort at the last jump in the first round because I got there a little bit deeper than I wanted to be,” said Rinehart. “In the jump-off, nobody but Captain did the sharp turn from one-to-two, and he has the perfect stride length for a turn like that. He is getting to the stage where he knows his way around a jump-off track! I got a nice distance into fence nine and was able to comfortably leave the stride out coming towards home.”

Sam Pegg (CAN) was the second to jump with Big Girl Z and posted an initial quick time of 37.582 seconds. The 10-year-old Zangersheide mare held the lead until ultimately surpassed by Rinehart and his winning turn.

Rinehart and the nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding stole the show with a blazing time of 36.628 seconds to mark their third win of the 2024 Winter in the Midwest Series.

Rinehart spoke on the rewarding development Captain America 10, “I am very impressed with Captain. We have had him his whole life, so it is very rewarding. It makes you realize how rare it is for a horse like him to come around.”

Cidanos Z (Cidane x Lordana BZ) carried Alexanne Thibault (CAN) to third place. The eight-year-old Zangersheide gelding stopped the clock in an efficient 38.122 seconds to round out the top three.

Final Results – $10,000 Welcome Stake

1) Richard Rinehart (USA) & Captain America 10, Catherine Rinehart | 0 | 36.628

2) Samuel Pegg (CAN) & Big Girl Z, Samuel Pegg | 0 | 37.582

3) Alexanne Thibault (CAN) & Cidanos Z, Alexanne Thibault | 0 | 38.122

4) Charlotte Clark (USA) & Kinsella, Charlotte Clark | 0 | 38.877

5) Samuel Pegg (CAN) & Dolla 3,Samuel Pegg | 4 | 40.946

6) Sarah Meier (USA) & Brook De Brekka, Sarah Meier | 4 | 72.632

7) Samuel Pegg (CAN) & Formidable Diamant, Harlow Investment Enterprises LLC | 4 | 73.432

8) Richard Rinehart (USA) & Caesar, Catherine Rinehart | 4 | 76.825

9) Vanessa McCaughley (USA) & Eldorado’s Edition, Vanessa McCaughley | 4 | 79.821

10) Chloe Desjarlais (USA) & Casastello PS, Kelly Andrews-Wahl | 4 | 84.326

Source: Press Release (edited) from World Equestrian Center

Photos: © WEC / Winslow Photography

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