Wilmington, Ohio, USA – February 22, 2025  – The $30,000 Grand Prix of Wilmington – Winter Classic XI drew a large crowd to the Standlee Sanctuary at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Saturday evening. Fifteen horse-and-rider combinations tried their hand at Bobby Murphy’s first-round track, with only four athletes finding a clear path to the jump-off.

Amy Krebs (USA) ultimately came out victorious with her longtime partner, Jabantos (Corsari Van De Helle x Cassima). After scoring a grand prix win aboard her other mount, Ike, during her last trip to Wilmington, Krebs noted, “Ike, has been taking the spotlight, but Elijah [Jabantos] was tired of that! He was ready for the win,” she laughed.

Murphy’s track was an appropriate challenge for Krebs, “The track rode like an equitation course today. You really had to ride your track and stick to it. It was definitely set to spec, there were some larger jumps in there than normal. It rode nicely; it was fair for the class.”

Krebs followed Maria Blankemeyer (USA) and her Reina Van Hellehof (Gino H) around the short course.

Blankemeyer and her eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood tacked an unfortunate four-faults onto their score, enough to round out the top three.

“Going in for the jump-off, I thought I would maybe do eight strides to the last and play it safe since there were only four and I had two in it. My competitiveness took over,” Krebs shared. “The first one had a rail, btu I still wanted to go in and be fast. I just rode him like I know how to do. I was quick and tidy, and it was enough today!”

Krebs and her 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding yielded a fault-free round in 34.319 seconds to clinch the win.

Emma Irwin (USA) also secured a double-clear effort aboard Kimberlee Farms 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Concardus (Conthargos x Paragona), in 35.701 seconds for second place.   

Final Results – $30,000 Grand Prix of Wilmington – Winter Classic XI d

1) Amy Krebs (USA) & Jabantos, Amy Krebs | 0 | 34.319

2) Emma Irwin (USA) & Concardus, Kimberlee Farms | 0 | 35.701

3) Maria Blankemeyer (USA) & Reina Van Hellehof, Angela Moore | 4 | 34.24

4) Amy Krebs (USA) & Ike, Amy Krebs | 4 | 35.163

5) Rosalie Midyette (USA) & Fernet MH,Rosalie Midyette | 4 | 67.65

6) Izzy Beisel (USA) & Diaz Barbotiere, Izzy Beisel | 4 | 67.92

7) Lanie Thomas (USA) & Zendaya, Neil Badcock | 4 | 69.598

8) Sarah Meier (USA) & Nightshade SCF, Sarah Meier | 4 | 71.24

9) Rosalie Midyette (USA) & Luigi van de Kornelishoeve, Rosalie Midyette | 4 | 71.512

10) Sarah Meier (USA) & Spicebomb, Sarah Meier | 8 | 71.457

Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center

Photos: © WEC / Winslow Photography

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