Wilmington, Ohio – December 09, 2023 – Seventeen decorated horse-and-athlete combinations put on a show in the Standlee Sanctuary over FEI Level III course designer Anderson Lima’s (BRA) tracks for the $30,000 Grand Prix. In the end, speed was the name of the game for Canada’s Sam Pegg (CAN) & and Gin Tonic 158 (Graf Top x Hauptstutbuch).
Pegg and his fiery mount came back in top form after their Grand Prix win from Winter Classic 1 and sped past the 13-horse jump-off.
In his typical fashion Richard Rinehart (USA) went early in the second round and set a quick pace with Ron Caraway’s Vincent (Van Gogh x Nirande) of 42.024 seconds. Rinehart’s lead held until ultimately surpassed by Pegg by nearly two full seconds, landing them in second.
Pegg discussed where he made up time around the short course, “I was quite quick back to the skinny and did eight strides to the vertical. Gin Tonic is very smart, and you can turn him in the air and when he hits the ground his first three strides are very quick. He kind of ducks down and gets away from the jump.”
In 40.29 seconds, the duo impressed the crowd once again to take home another win.
“He has worked his way up to a barn favorite! He has had a really exceptional year. We got him in the middle of January last year, and he has won eight or 10 grands prix already, including our first FEI Grand Prix together,” said Pegg.
Sarah Meier (USA) piloted her own 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Nightshade SCF (Baldev x Olisina) to a respectable third place finish amongst the quick crowd in 42.646 seconds, just shy of second place.
Final Results – $30,000 Grand Prix
1) Sam Pegg (CAN) & Gin Tonic 158, Ten Sixty Stables | 0 | 40.29
2) Richard Rinehart (USA) & Vincent, Ron Caraway | 0 | 42.024
3) Sarah Meier (USA) & Nightshade SCF, Sarah Meier | 0 | 42.646
4) Wilhelm Genn (GER) & Quincidence, Wilhelm Genn | 0 | 46.675
5) Liz Hutchinson (USA) & Triskel de Kerliven, Liz Hutchinson | 0 | 47.063
6) Rebbeca Gutstein (USA) & Honneur T&L Z, Rebecca Gutstein | 0 | 47.075
7) Patricio Rodrigeuz (MEX) & Corvet Enigma, Patricio Rodriguez LLC | 4 | 41.769
8) Sam Pegg (CAN) & Formidable Diamant, Phyllis Harlow | 4 | 42.581
9) Michael Burnett (USA) & Chagrand, Michael Burnett | 4 | 43.868
10) Izzy Beisel (USA) & Vegas H, David Beisel | 4 | 44.825
Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center
Photos: © WEC / Winslow Photography
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