Wilmington, Ohio – December 12, 2021 – It was an exciting week of feature classes at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington during the second leg of the Winter Classic Series. Today the Sanctuary arena was filled with spectators and fans alike as they cheered on more than thirty equine athletes and their riders in the $10,000 Futures Prix 1.30-1.35m and the $30,000 Grand Prix 1.40-1.45m.
Tonight’s $30,000 Grand Prix exhibitors brought the heat and the last two riders on the course, Kevin McCarthy (IRL) and David Beisel (USA), faced off for major competition with just 1/10th ultimately deciding the winner. The class saw a field of thirteen impressive competitors in round one with four advancing to the jump-off. McCarthy and Beisel had each audience member on the edge of their seat during the heated jump-off. The competition was neck-and-neck, Ireland’s McCarthy (IRL) and his own Catch A Star HSS (Sheraton x Tolinda) prevailed for the win.
McCarthy of K&K Sport Horses in Lexington, Kentucky and the 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood more tackled the first round in just 80.804 seconds. The pair was invited to return in the jump-off where it was clear that they came to win. McCarthy and ‘Casey’ as she is more fondly called in the barn, finished the short course in just 36.772 seconds to take the win.
We caught up with Kevin after his class to chat about his strategy on the course. “My horse was great and smooth tonight – I can’t ask for much more than that. As for my strategy, I had a plan to ride the course as a whole and not leave any holes in my efforts. I knew that I needed to be good from the first rail to the last and that is what I tried to do.”
David Beisel (USA) of David Beisel Stables in Goshen, Ohio and his own Essince W (Chacco Blue x Rossan) fought until the end for a spot in the top lineup. Their first round was smooth and precise, with a time of 81.175 seconds. This duo fiercely contested the jump-off track, giving it their all and stopping the clock in 36.868 seconds, just barely off McCarthy’s time to finish second.
Charlotte Clark (USA) of Kendalwood Farm and her own Kinsella (Capitalist x Jerpoint Mist) rounded out the evening’s top three. Clark and the Irish Sport Horse earned the fastest time in round one, finishing in just 77.516 seconds. Returning to the jump off, Clark and Kinsella crossed the final set of timers at a blistering 38.200 seconds with all rails up to take third place.
Final Results – $30,000 WEC Grand Prix 1.40 – 1.45m
1) Kevin McCarthy (IRL) & Catch a Star HSS – 0 / 0 – 36.772
2) David Q. Beisel (USA) & Essince W – 0 / 0 – 36.868
3) Charlotte Clark (USA) & Kinsella – 0 / 0 – 38.200
4) Hillary Johnson (USA) & Eastpoint – 0 / 0 – 46.385
5) Kama Godek (USA) & Tailormade Cash is King – 4 / 78.595
6) Molly Kindness (USA) & Strawberry – 4 / 79.542
7) David Q. Beisel (USA) & Vegas H – 4 / 82.149
8) David Q. Beisel (USA) & Hendrik – 4 / 84.028
9) Karen McFarland (USA) & Trevor Z – 4 / 85.622
10) Greg Crolick (USA) & Zanziebar R Z – 8 / 85.622
Source: Press Release from WEC – World Equestrian Center
Photos: © Winslow Photography
Categories: CSN, English, Jumper News Ireland
