Wilmington, Ohio, United States – June 01, 2025 – The highlight event of the second international week at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC) welcomed 27 top horse-and-rider combinations representing five nations for the $65,000 IDA Development Grand Prix CSI 2*. After finishing third in the $32,000 Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 2* earlier in the week, they duplicated the feat in the feature class of the week.

FEI Level III course designer Catsy Cruz (MEX) set a technical and winding track in the Outdoor Jumper Arena that allowed nine athletes to advance to the jump-off.

Thursday’s Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 2* winner, David Blake (IRL), was the first to return, laying down an efficient time of 36.96 seconds aboard Cornwall BH. His lead didn’t last long—Izzy Beisel (USA) and Contigo shaved more than a second off, crossing the timers in 35.61 seconds.

The momentum continued when last week’s two-star Grand Prix winner, Victoria Birdsall (USA), piloted Abigail Wexner’s nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood (KWPN) mare Las Lajas (Glenfiddich VDL x Quasimodo Z) to an even quicker time of 33.94 seconds, raising the stakes for the remaining competitors.

Canada’s Sean Jobin (CAN) soon answered the challenge with his new mount, Grande Dame DK (Ceira D’Ick x Kannan). The pair flew around the short course to stop the clock in 33.57 seconds to take over the lead. 

Just as victory seemed sealed, last to return Simon McCarthy (IRL) entered the ring with the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Narcotique V/H Dingenshof. 

“She is a 12-year-old and she is incredibly fun to ride. She is so fast and has given me a lot of wins in the past year. She can be a bit of a handful at times. Our first round today wasn’t the prettiest, but she is a fighter. I am thrilled with her today,” McCarthy shared about his speedy mare. 

The duo set off at a gallop in the jump-off, stopping the clock in 33.50 seconds to secure the win and claim the top spot on the podium. 

Final Results – $65,000 IDA Development Grand Prix CSI 2*

1) Simon McCarthy (IRL) & Narcotique V/H Dingenshof – 0 / 0 – 33.50

2) Sean Jobin (CAN) & Grande Dame DK – 0 / 0 – 33.57

3) Victoria Birdsall (USA) & Las Lajas – 0 / 0 – 33.97

Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center

Photos: © WEC / Winslow Photography

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