Wilmington, Ohio – December 16, 2023 – Joe Carnicom (USA) set a challenging track for a field of 15 athletes in the $30,000 Grand Prix during WEC – Wilmington Winter Classic 3. In the end of a four horse jump-off, it was Sarah Meier (USA) and her own Nightshade SCF (Baldev x Olisina) that came out on top for a well-deserved win.

The professional athlete of Lexington, Kentucky, has accumulated numerous top results with her 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding. Meier was proud of the partnership they have developed to ultimately pave the way to their first grand prix win together.

“He is a little bit quirky, but I can’t say enough good things about him. I have a great relationship with him. Aaron Vale (USA) and David O’Brien (IRL) started him, and it took me a minute to get to know him. He can be a bit funny, but those guys put a great background on him, and he has been nothing but good to me. He loves his job, which is half the battle, and he is super brave,” Meier spoke highly of her mount.

Entering as the final to contest the jump-off phase, Meier had a time to beat of 42.994 seconds set by Richard Rinehart (USA) and the 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding Caesar (Chalet x Glorielle).

Executing a slightly tidier track than Rinehart, Meier jumped to a time of 40.598 seconds, landing Rinehart with the red ribbon and topping the leaderboard by two full seconds.

“Richard [Rinehart] did pull a bit on the reins a little more than he usually does,” laughed Meier. “Richard has helped me a little bit here the past couple of weeks, so he went over the jump-off with me. He told me he was going to go around the island at the end, but that Nightshade could certainly go inside. I made the inside turn to the Alimend oxer, and I thought it was going to get a little messy, but I clucked and my horse had no problem!”

Meier shared her thoughts on the technical tracks, “I was a little bit worried. Not that I thought he wasn’t going to jump around with the spooky candy cane jump, but everything was set a bit on a half-step. By the time I went, I knew a few people had some trouble, but he never gave it a second thought.”

Chloe Desjarlais (USA) piloted Kelly Andrews-Wahl’s Casastello PS (Casallco x Loving Star) to third place. The eight-year-old Oldenburg jumped in textbook form, and jumped to an efficient time of 43 seconds to round out the top three.

Final Results – $30,000 Grand Prix

1) Sarah Meier (USA) & Nightshade SCF, Sarah Meier | 0 | 40.598

2) Richard Rinehart (USA) & Caesar, Catherine Rinehart | 0 | 42.994

3) Chloe Desjarlais (USA) & Casastello PS, Kelly Andrews-Wahl | 0 | 43

4) Sam Pegg (CAN) & Dolla 3, Sam Pegg | 4 | 43.293

5) Sam Pegg (CAN) & Gin Tonic 158, Sam Pegg | 4 | 73.473

6) Sam Pegg (CAN) & Formidable Diamant, Harlow Investment Enterprises LLC | 4 | 76.488

7) Vanessa McCaughley (USA) & Eldorado’s Edition, Vanessa McCaughley | 4 | 79.179

8) Richard Rinehart (USA) & Vincent, Ron Caraway | 4 | 87.106

9) Sam Pegg (CAN) & Big Girl Z, Sam Pegg | 8 | 75.212

10) Sarah Meier (USA) & Brook De Brekka, Sarah Meier | 12 | 74.433

Source: Press Release (edited) from World Equestrian Center

Photos: © WEC / Winslow Photography

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