USEF Rated

A Day of Firsts for Danielle Urban & Falco de Vesquerie in the $30,000 Dandy Products Grand Prix

Wilmington, Ohio โ€“ July 23, 2025 โ€“ The stage was set in the Standlee Sanctuary at World Equestrian Center โ€“ Wilmington (WEC) for the $30,000 Dandy Products Grand Prix of Winter Classic 7. Canadaโ€™s Michael Pegg set an appropriate yet challenging track for the field of athletes, that allowed four combinations to advance to the jump-off phase.

Wilhelm Genn (GER) & Zhappy Z

Wilhelm Genn (GER) was the first to qualify for the short course on his own, Zhappy Z (Zirocco Blue VDL x Happy Z), and later on Klaus Mauerโ€™s, Katinka (Kannan x Maylin). Genn returned first with his eight-year-old Warmblood mare, Zhappy Z, who jumped her first ever grand prix effort double clear in 36.205 seconds.

Charlotte Clark (USA) was next to contest with her own, Gold Dโ€™elle, also posting a fault-free effort in 38.898 seconds, just shy of Gennโ€™s time.

Danielle Urban (USA) & Falco de Vesquerie

Third to go in the jump-off, Danielle Urban (USA) entered with her coming 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding, Falco de Vesquerie (Chacco Rouge x Lune De Vesquerie), looking to surpass Gennโ€™s lead.

Partnership paid off for Urban and her careful mount, โ€œI purchased him five years ago for myself, kind of sight unseen, but I had a couple of good friends tell me heโ€™d be a good match for me,โ€ Urban noted.

Danielle Urban (USA) & Falco de Vesquerie

โ€œI brought him up through the six-year-olds and seven-year-olds and then started him into his Grand Prix career. This past year has really been a turning point for us. Weโ€™ve gotten very consistent with the rideability and steering, and every time I ride him, I have a good time. Heโ€™s a really fun horse.โ€

The duo made up valuable time turning back quickly on the combination and stopped the clock in 34.173 seconds to earn their first grand prix win together.

Wilhelm Genn (GER) & Katinka

Genn was the final entry with Katinka, a coming 10-year-old Oldenburg mare. They crossed the timers in 35.285 seconds just behind the winning time, ultimately securing Genn second and third place finishes.

Peggโ€™s design made for a competitive class, and Urban thought โ€œit was a very fair track.โ€

Danielle Urban (USA) & Falco de Vesquerie

โ€œThe fence height wasnโ€™t intimidating, but it was just big enough to challenge us. The biggest thing that I focused on was the number of strides in each bending line and making sure that I got those done. Overall, it rode great.โ€

Additionally, Urban shared how the facilities at WEC โ€“ Wilmington have been inviting for her horses and business.

โ€œI really like showing here because the Welcome classes are very inviting, and thereโ€™s also the Futures Prix for when weโ€™re bringing along young horses. I had a young one in that earlier today. There are options for all of my clients, and being able to bring a horse along, put a good ride on them, and ride in a big ring that doesnโ€™t feel like an indoor has been key in their development.โ€

Danielle Urban (USA) & Falco de Vesquerie during the awards ceremony

Final Results โ€“ $30,000 Dandy Products Grand Prix

1) Danielle Urban (USA) & Falco de Vesquerie โ€“ 0 / 0 โ€“ 34.173

2) Wilhelm Genn (GER) & Katinka โ€“ 0 / 0 โ€“ 35.285

3) Wilhelm Genn (GER) & Zhappy Z โ€“ 0 / 0 โ€“ 36.205

Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center

Photos: ยฉ WEC / Winslow Photography



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