Wilmington, Ohio – November 23, 2025 – Summer Justus and her own La Belle SCF (Diktator Van De Boslandhoeve x Belle Bleu S) closed out the 2025 Midwest Indoors Series at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC) with a well-deserved victory in the $30,000 Relyne by Hagyard Grand Prix.

Joe Carnicom designed a technical track that ultimately saw four horse-and-rider combinations advance to the jump-off, with Justus returning first.

The duo set an early time that proved uncatchable. Reflecting on her approach to the short course, Justus shared, “I used to never really worry too much about the jump-off. I really just wanted nice, smooth, clear rounds. I think she and I have gotten to a point that I trust her a little more, she maybe trusts me a little bit more, and it’s kind of fun to have one that you can go for it a little bit and see what happens. Today it worked out.”

Her partnership with the now 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare “has been a labor of love,” Justus laughed. “I think the thing is, we’re really similar. Her personality is my personality, and so it took a long time for us to figure out how to use that together and not against each other. And I think she’s now reached an age, and we’ve reached an agreement, that we kind of want the same thing.”

Justus stopped the clock in 38.384 seconds, securing her win by nearly two seconds.

Riding and working out of her family operation, Simpson-Justus Show Jumping in Lexington, Kentucky, she spoke about the value of showing at WEC – Wilmington. “It’s close to home for us, which is a huge draw. The facility’s really nice, the stabling is nice—I love that they open the rings at night,” she noted. “I brought a four-year-old this week, so it helps to be able to bring all different types of horses. It’s very conducive to bringing horses of every level and clients, and to be able to do a little bit of everything up here.”

Thursday’s Welcome Stake winner, Andrew Ross (USA) and his own 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Cornet’s Cobalt (Cornet’s Prinz x India D), claimed second in 40.212 seconds.

Rounding out the podium was Lorraine Allan (USA) and her 15-year-old Westphalian mare Somethin’ Else (Stairway x Cartella), finishing in 44.755 seconds.

Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center

Photos: © World Equestrian Center / Winslow Photography

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