Izzy Beisel Pilots Contigo to First $35,000 Grand Prix Win of Wilmington

By Jumper News USA on July 14, 2025

Wilmington, Ohio – July 12, 2025 – Her list of grand prix wins is long, but Saturday morning marked a special victory for Izzy Beisel (USA) at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC) Summer I. Out of a 22-horse field and a 6-horse jump-off, Beisel piloted her father’s, Contigo, to his first ever grand prix win in the $35,000 Grand Prix of Wilmington.

Beisel has racked up numerous top placings with the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, including a top five finish in this spring’s $65,000 Grand Prix CSI 2*.

Beisel spoke about her mount’s development, “It has been hard training the foundations on him, but now that we have, he has really clicked and figured it out. Now we are just building on top of it. He is such a cool horse.”

**Jill Gaffney** (USA) & **FF Lady Grantham**

Jill Gaffney (USA) piloted her nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood (KWPN) mare, FF Lady Grantham (Diabolo D’esquelmes x Walesa M), to second place in a time of 39.267 seconds.

Sarah Meier (USA) rounded out the podium in 41.209 seconds aboard her own eight-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding, Spicebomb (Untouchable x Cara Mia Von Aarhof Ch).

“I flatted him in just his neck rope Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday,” Beisel chuckled. “On Friday, I did the 1.35m. I wasn’t expecting much today. I honestly thought that Diaz [Diaz Barbotiere] would be my winner and Beau [Triskel De Kerliven] to be behind him.”

The duo jumped an effortless first clear round to qualify for the jump-off and posted an unbeatable double clear in 37.997 seconds to secure the victory.

It was an extra special victory gallop for the young rider, “He is so special because he was my dad’s horse first, and I am just so glad that I got to live up to him. I am so lucky to have such an amazing horse and to have an incredible trainer that I get to call my dad. I have the best family and friends supporting me.”