Wilmington, Ohio – January 07, 2023 – Nicole Loochtan (USA) returned to her winning ways on Saturday evening with her It’s Me du Bosquetiau (Dayton Sitte x Mirette Du Bosquetiau) for the $30,000 Grand Prix at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Winter Classic 4.

Joey Rycroft’s (CAN) track saw five horse-and-athlete combinations move onto the jump-off phase, where Loochtan, of Stone Creek Stables, was the only double clear effort of the night.

“The track was a little bit windy today. Usually, my horse drifts hard to the right, but today he stayed really straight. I thought it was a super course with just the right amount of technicality,” said Loochtan. “I wanted to play it safe in the jump-off. My horse is super careful, so chances are if I ride him correctly, he will give me a clear round. I thought it was better to be safe than sorry this time around!”

The 10-year-old Belgian Sport Horse stallion was the winner of Thursday evening’s $10,000 Welcome Stake and impressed with his scope and talent once again. The duo jumped to a winning clear round time of 40.346 seconds.

“I want to thank Sharn Wordley for keeping my horses fit while I was out. He did a phenomenal job and made it a lot easier for me to come back and do what I am doing. I want to thank all of my sponsors, Natural Equine Essentials, CWD, EnviroEquine, and Fabbri. They make a huge difference for me and my program,” Loochtan expressed gratitude for the team behind-the-scenes. 

Returning as the last to jump-off, Sam Pegg (CAN) and Harlow Investment Enterprises LLC’s Formidable Diamant (Diamant De Semilly x Nobel Lady) needed a clear, tidy round to top Loochtan, but the nine-year-old Selle Français gelding posted an unlucky four faults in 37.368 seconds to ultimately claim the red ribbon.

Sarah Meier (USA) returned with her own 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Nightshade SCF (Baldev x Olisina) to round out the top three on four faults in 45.673 seconds.

Final Results – $30,000 Grand Prix

1) Nicole Loochtan (USA) & It’s Me du Bosquetiau, Nicole Loochtan | 0 | 40.34

2) Sam Pegg (CAN) & Formidable Diamant, Harlow Investment Enterprises LLC | 4 | 37.368

3) Sarah Meier (USA) & Nightshade SCF, Sarah Meier | 4 | 45.673

4) Wilhelm Genn (GER) & Quincidence, Wilhelm Genn | 8 | 44.309

5) Sam Pegg (CAN) & Gin Tonic 158, Sam Pegg | 9 | 52.795

6) Charlotte Clark (USA) & Kinsella, Charlotte Clark | 4 | 79.458

7) Sam Pegg (CAN) & Big Girl Z, Sam Pegg | 4 | 83.336

8) Sarah Meier (USA) & Brook De Brekka, Sarah Meier | 4 | 83.485

9) Sam Pegg (CAN) & Dolla 3, Sam Pegg | 4 | 83.736

10) Paul Halpern (USA) & Esra,Vanessa Lee | 4 | 84.082

Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center

Photos: © WEC / Winslow Photography

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