Wilmington, Ohio – November 23, 2024 – Fifteen starters met for the $30,000 Grand Prix at the Standlee Sanctuary Saturday evening of WEC – Wilmington Thanksgiving in the Midwest to conclude November’s featured competition.

Canada’s Michael Pegg designed the track that moved seven horse-and-athlete combinations onto the jump-off phase, but Richard Rinehart (USA) ultimately piloted The Diamant Rose Z (Toulon x Diamant Z) to the first grand prix win of their partnership.

As a new addition to his barn, Rinehart shared that, “It has been a horse that I have watched for several years and have always wanted. She just knows what she is doing. She is so game and really tries hard.”

“I am really thankful that Ken [Smith] and the team at Ashland Farms decided they would sell her to me. She is no stranger to winning a Welcome Stake and a Grand Prix, she did it just a few weeks ago here with Francisco Goyoaga Mollet. I am really happy to have her and I am looking forward to the future,” said Rinehart.

As the second to jump-off, Rinehart set the quick pace and was unable to be caught, making up time down the first bending line and securing the tricky inside turn.

“I am just getting to know her, so I didn’t want to go too fast. I was coming early in the order and I didn’t want to over do it. I was really happy with her. The turn after the rainbow jump was a little bit hard, but I saw it in the air. I wanted to make sure I slowed down to the in-and-out because she has so much power and I didn’t want to jump in there really forward. After that, I just followed her home and she really sped up.”

The 13-year-old Zangersheide mare stopped the clock in 40.792 seconds to add another win to her record, leading the victory gallop by a full five seconds.

Vanessa McCaughley (USA) and her own 12-year-old Warmblood gelding, Eldorado’s Edition (Eldorado Van De Zeshoek Tn x Fatendra) claimed the red ribbon with a double clear effort in 45.77 seconds.

The third place ribbon was presented to Lorraine Allan (GBR) aboard her own 14-year-old Westphalian mare, Somethin’ Else (Stairway x Cartella), with a time of 46.763 seconds.

Final Results – $30,000 Grand Prix

1) Richard Rinehart (USA) & The Diamant Rose Z, Luke Rinehart | 0 | 40.792

2) Vanessa McCaughley (USA) & Eldorado’s Edition, Vanessa McCaughley | 0 | 45.77

3) Lorraine Allan (GBR) & Somethin’ Else, Lorraine Allan | 0 | 46.763

4) Izzy Beisel (USA) & Diaz Barbortiere, Izzy Beisel | 4 | 48.61

5) Summer Hill (USA) & La Belle SCF, Andrea Simpson | 19 | 66.65

T6) Cooper Beisel (USA) & Triskel De Kerliven, Liz Hutchinson | 0 | EL

T6) Stephen Foran (USA) Colour Your Day, Freedom Woods | RT

8) Trinity Beitler (USA) & Cruemmel 3, Trinity Creek Farms Inc | 4 | 73.875

9) Luke Rinehart (USA) & Captain America 10, Catherine Rinehart | 4 | 75.341

10) Shawn Butler (USA) & BSH Matinee, Shawn Butler | 4 | 77.562

Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center

Photos: © WEC / Winslow Photography

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