Wilmington, Ohio, USA – July 13, 2024 – A sunny day in Wilmington set the scene at World Equestrian Center for the highlight event of the week. Thirty horse-and-athlete combinations tried their hand at Bobby Murphy’s (USA) first round track in the $25,000 Grand Prix, with only eight qualifying for the jump-off.

Fresh off their win in the $7,500 Welcome Stake, M. Michael Meller’s Fire Fly (Arezzo VDL x First Price G) returned in top form with Kelly Soleau-Millar (USA) in the irons to claim their second blue ribbon of the week.

Soleau-Millar expressed her excitement on what proved a special day in her riding career, “I feel unbelievable actually! I have never done this before, I haven’t won the open class and the grand prix in the same week. I feel very fortunate to have such a good mare,” she expressed. “Fire Fly is one of my favorites. The last grand prix that I won was on a mare that was very similar to her named Itty Bitty and they are both little bays, fast and careful mares.

Soleau-Millar entered to best Campbell Brown (USA) and Ashwood Farm LLC’s 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, Indira (Plot Blue x Elaretta), who set the pace in 35.014 seconds, ultimately securing third place.  Apparently, I have a type!”

Soleau-Millar relied on her eight-year-old KPWN mare’s natural competitiveness to cross through the timers in an uncatchable 34.07 seconds for their second win of the week.

“Sometimes with Fire Fly I try and win too much. I feel like I can let her down because I get super excited. I really tried to play my own game this week and not be so focused on what everyone else was doing because she is naturally fast. I just tried to focus on her natural footspeed, how careful she is and how smart she is.”

Nicole Carter (USA) and her winningest 10-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding, It’s Me du Bosquetiau (Dayton Sitte x Mirette Du Bosquetiau), were just shy of the leading time to land second place in 34.465 seconds.

Soleau-Millar commented on Bobby Murphy’s track, “I thought the track was great. He builds so nicely for developing young horses, but also for the experienced ones. It was tough enough that he didn’t get 15 to 20 clean without also being too difficult for some of the young riders that are stepping into this. It can be hard to build tracks like this. You have young horses, juniors and amateurs, and some more experienced horses as well. Bobby does a fantastic job.”

Final Results – $25,000 Grand Prix of Wilmington

1) Kelly Soleau-Millar (USA) & Fire Fly – 0 / 34.07

2) Nicole Carter (USA) & It’s Me Du Bosquetiau – 0 / 34.465

3) Campbell Brown (USA) & Indira – 0 / 35.014

4) Savannah Embly (USA) & Icon NR – 0 / 35.356

5) Sarah Meier (USA) & Nightshade SCF – 0 / 37.943

6) Vanessa McCaughley (USA) & Eldorado’s Edition – 0 / 39.866

7) Kevin Gallagher (IRL) & MHS Cardenta – 4 / 33.916

8) Kady Abrahamson (USA) & Any – 4 / 35.244

9) Lizzy Traband (USA) & Ochocinco BC – 4 / 68.258

10) Kelly Soleau-Millar (USA) & Doonaveeragh Balou – 4 / 69.048

Source: Press Release from WEC – World Equestrian Center

Photos: © WEC / Winslow Photography

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