Wilmington, Ohio, USA – March 10, 2024 – Devin Milan (USA) continued her hot streak at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Spring Forward in the $30,000 Grand Prix sponsored by Tribute Equine Nutrition.

The stands in the Standlee Sanctuary were full of eager exhibitors as they saw five competitive horse-and-athlete combinations advance to the jump-off over Michael Pegg’s (CAN) tracks.

Out of four double clear efforts, Milan proved unbeatable once again with Garo Kazan’s Conquest (Colestus x Excellenta C).

Returning for the jump-off, Milan adjusted her plan as she entered the ring. “I was debating doing five strides in the first line, but when I saw Nicole [Loochtan] do five, she had a hard time making a turn back to the next vertical. She told me to do six on her way out, so I opted for six strides. It made more sense for my horse too; he can be flat at the verticals.”

Milan made up time on her way to the sponsor jump, “When I turned from the swan oxer to the long run to the Tribute oxer, I saw the long one and I just committed to it and kept galloping. ‘Hot Dog’ didn’t have a problem!”

The stylish nine-year-old Zangersheide gelding crossed the timers in 35.759 seconds for the win.

“I think Hot Dog knows when it matters. He is getting really relaxed, especially over by the crowd. When I saw the combinations, I thought those would be my issues, but he has gotten smarter.”

When asked about her winning streak, Milan laughed, “I am fiercely competitive. My family is super competitive, so I feel like I have something I have to keep living up to.”

Richard Rinehart (USA) was the final entry to jump off aboard the 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Caesar (Chalet x Glorielle). A slightly slower approach across the middle of the ring added two seconds to the clock, securing the red ribbon in 37.795 seconds.

Rounding out the top three in 39.999 seconds was the first double clear duo of the night, Wilhelm Genn (GER) and his own 11-year-old Danish Warmblood mare, Quincidence (Charleston K x Quilotte).

Final Results – $30,000 Grand Prix of Wilmington

1) Devin Milan (USA) & Conquest, Garo Kazan | 0 | 35.759

2) Richard Rinehart (USA) & Caesar, Catherine Rinehart | 0 | 37.795

3) Wilhelm Genn (GER) & Quincidence, Wilhelm Genn | 0 | 39.999

4) Hanna Toering (USA) & Piranha SCF, Spy Coast Farm | 0 | 41.756

5) Nicole Loochtan (USA) & Kupardie, Nicole Loochtan | 4 | 39.878

6) Charlotte Clark (USA) & Kinsella, Charlotte Clark | 4 | 72.568

7) Richard Cheska (USA) & Ayrton Du Faurieu Z, Richard Cheska | 4 | 79.206

8) Richard Rinehart (USA) & Captain America 10, Catherine Rinehart | 8 | 74.644

9) Lyriss Jaeger (USA) Fortysix & 2, Lyriss Jaeger | 8 | 75.434

10) Lani Hutchison (USA) & Duc De Jentiere, Lani Hutchison | 12 | 70.575

Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center

Photos: © WEC / Winslow Photography

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