Wilmington, Ohio – Saturday of Midwest Indoors II at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington proved to be a historic day for Luke Rinehart (USA) as he marked his first career grand prix win with Captain America 10 (Contendro) in the $30,000 Grand Prix.

The day was not only special because of his win, but he was one second quicker than his father, Richard Rinehart (USA), and aboard a special family owned horse to climb the ranks on.

“It feels amazing. It is something I have dreamt about doing since my pony days. Especially with my dad being second, outrunning him was another dream, so I killed two birds with one stone,” [Luke] Rinehart laughed.

[Luke] Rinehart was particularly happy with ‘Captain’ and their remarkable career together, “Coming off indoors, Captain feels the best he has ever felt. He was so good and has gotten so much better over the years. I started jumping him in the .90m, so to jump him all the way up to my first grand prix win is super cool.”

First to go in the posted order, [Richard] Rinehart immediately set the tone with a clear round aboard his new addition, The Diamant Rose Z (Toulon x Diamant Z), a 13-year-old Zangersheide mare owned by Ashland Farms.

Returning for the short course, [Richard] Rinehart set a quick pace in his typical fashion, leaving little room for error from the rest of the field with a quick time of 37.69 seconds.

[Luke] Rinehart galloped in to best his father, making up time “to the green oxer,” he noted.

“My dad jumped the log jump and rolled back around quickly. His horse is naturally so quick across the ground and he just kind of coasted down there, but I turned the corner and really ran down to the oxer.”

The crowd in the Standlee Sanctuary applauded as [Luke] Rinehart made his way through the timers in 36.517 seconds with his 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding to secure the win.

 “We have shown in a few grands prix against each other, but today I knew he [Richard Rinehart] had a pretty decent shot at it with that horse,” Luke commented on the pressure in the jump-off. “It was the first day that we have ever been in the jump-off against each other, so I knew I was going to go for it. I was glad that I got to watch him or I don’t think I would have been able to beat him!”

Sarah Meier (USA) rounded out the podium with her own 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, Nightshade SCF (Baldev x Olisina), in 38.454 seconds.

Final Results – $30,000 Grand Prix of Wilmington

1) Luke Rinehart (USA) & Captain America 10, Catherine Rinehart | 0 | 36.517

2) Richard Rinehart (USA) & The Diamant Rose Z, Ashland Farms | 0 | 37.69

3) Sarah Meier (USA) & Nightshade SCF, Sarah Meier | 0 | 38.454

4) Maria Blankenmeyer (USA) & Reina Van Hellehof, Angela Moore | 0 | 39.465

5) Emma Callanan (USA) & Futuro Certo Hellehof, Hart Farm | 4 | 43.235

6) Sarah Meier (USA) & Spicebomb, Sarah Meier | 0 | WD

7) Laura Douglas (USA) & Legend, Steven Bluman | 4 | 76.273

8) Molly Kindness (USA) & Liber T, Molly Kindness | 8 | 75.828

9) Lani Hutchison (USA) & Duc De Jentiere, Lani Hutchison | 8 | 75.869

10) Lorraine Allan (USA) & Somethin’ Else, Lorraine Allan | 8 | 77.35

Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center

Photos: © WEC / Winslow Photography

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