Kevin McCarthy & Catch a Star HSS Secure Third Consecutive $30,000 WEC Grand Prix Win

By on 10 10America/Sao_Paulo January 10America/Sao_Paulo 2022

Wilmington, Ohio – January 09, 2021 – It has been a chilly week in Southwestern Ohio, but exhibitors and spectators at World Equestrian Center’s Winter in the Midwest were unfazed, thanks to perfect indoor conditions throughout the climate-controlled facility. A large crowd filled the stands in the Sanctuary Arena tonight to watch the $30,000 World Equestrian Center Grand Prix and the $10,000 Futures Prix 1.30m. Each class saw an impressive field of competition, with all riders vying for a big win on tracks designed by Anderson Lima (BRA).

Tonight’s $30,000 Grand Prix course featured several bending lines, long approaches, a liverpool and even a triple combination. Seventeen entries challenged the course, but it was the dynamic combination of Kevin McCarthy (IRL) and his own Catch A Starr HSS (Sheraton x Tolinda) who claimed first place. The pair has a noteworthy track record at World Equestrian Center, racking up countless Welcome Stake wins and three Grand Prix wins in the latter half of 2021.

This evening, McCarthy (IRL) of K&K Sport Horses in Lexington, Kentucky, and the beautiful dark bay Swedish Warmblood mare were careful in the first round, making sure to leave all rails up in a time of 77.605 seconds, well under the time allowed of 80 seconds. However, not all teams were this lucky, as the tight time allowance made for several time penalties, resulting in fewer riders advancing to the jump off.

Ten horses qualified for the jump-off, with McCarthy (IRL) making his run in the middle of the order. This powerful pair had winning on their mind as they executed an incredibly speedy and precise round in only 40.769 seconds to ultimately win the class.

After the class, we stopped to chat with Kevin (IRL) about his big win. “We really do go out there and try to win each and every time. The course design was excellent and a really fun jump-off track. There were many good riders in the class tonight – which always makes you want to work harder. I had to be on my A-game for sure. This is our third in a row Grand Prix win and I owe it to my great mare.”

**Charlotte Clark** (USA) & **Kinsella**

Charlotte Clark (USA) of Kendallwood Farm in Sunbury, Ohio, and her own Kinsella (Capitalist x Jerpoint Mist) took second place in tonight’s main event. Clark and the incredibly athletic Irish Sport Horse mare have notched many impressive wins at WEC and are frequent visitors to the winner’s circle. On tonight’s first-round course they crossed the timers in 78.036 seconds, making sure to stay inside the allowed time and signaling that they would be tough to catch in the jump-off. During the short course, Clark (USA) and Kinsella raced to beat the clock and secure a top spot on the leaderboard. Giving it their all, they managed a jump-off time of 42.183 seconds to take home the red ribbon.

**Lisa Goldman-Smolen** (USA) & **Sovereign**

Rounding out the top three placings were Lisa Goldman-Smolen (USA) of Red Coat Farm in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, and Barbara J. Disko’s Sovereign (Frontal x Galledent). Smolen piloted Sovereign through a quick first round, leaving all rails up in a time of 76.280 seconds. They later returned to the jump-off, tackling the course with determination. Sovereign raced through the timers, stopping the clock at 43.645 seconds for third place.