Wilmington, Ohio – April 13, 2024 – Show jumping action of the 2024 Winter in the Midwest Series at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington concluded with a thrilling 11-horse jump-off in the $30,000 Standlee Grand Prix, crafted by course designer Bobby Murphy (USA).

Canada’s Sam Pegg (CAN) ultimately ended the Winter Classic 18 where he started, claiming the win with his Gin Tonic 158 (Graf Top x Hauptstutbuch).

Pegg followed junior rider Izzy Beisel (USA), who posted a blazing fast time of 36.084 seconds with her 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding, Diaz Barbotiere (Messire Ardent x Quambera Barbotiere).

Pegg spoke on where he made up time around the track, “Gin Tonic is naturally really quick when he lands. I got a really good turn after the first line. I got up there in eight and turned around really quick. After the next line I went back inside to the next jump. I thought he turned in and caught a good one across the oxer and really shot into the turn with a good amount of footspeed. I did six down the last line and it was enough.”

“I had the luxury of already riding it one time. Izzy’s time with Diaz was quite close to my first horse and I did eight with her, so I thought that made the decision for me,” Pegg continued.

Utilizing his 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding’s natural footspeed, the competitive duo moved to the top of the leaderboard once again in 35.922 seconds.

Pegg spoke highly of his fiery gelding, “He has been super competitive. He knows that it’s a sport. He does everything that he can to keep the jumps up and you can really go as fast as you want. He can be slow to get started, but once I got to jump one and his blood was up, he carried me around the rest of the way.”

Pegg felt, “fantastic to end the winter on a win,” he stated. “We want to thank WEC for hosting such a lovely series of shows. We started and finished our winter here and our horses are all happy and healthy. We really appreciate it.”

Kady Abrahamson (USA) returned with her longtime partner, Any (Aljano x Nina XI), a 16-year-old Holsteiner mare, to round out the top three in 36.249 seconds.

Final Results – $30,000 Standlee Grand Prix

1) Sam Pegg (CAN) Gin Tonic 158, Sam Pegg | 0 | 35.922

2) Izzy Beisel (USA) & Diaz Barbotiere, Izzy Beisel | 0 | 36.084

3) Kady Abrahamson (USA) & Any, Abrahamson Equestrian LLC | 0 | 36.249

4) Sarah Long (USA) & Retroflex, Alan Manning | 0 | 39.924

5) Izzy Beisel (USA) & Contigo, David Beisel | 0 | 40.054

6) Sam Pegg (CAN) & Big Girl Z, Sam Pegg | 4 | 36.465

7) Sam Pegg (CAN) & Formidable Diamant, Harlow Investment Enterprises LLC | 4 | 38.945

8) Nicole Loochtan (USA) & Perte Totale De Res Nova, Nicole Loochtan | 4 | 38.996

9) Nicole Loochtan (USA) & Kupardie, Nicole Loochtan | 4 | 39.956

10) Vanessa McCaughley (USA) & Eldorado’s Edition, Vanessa McCaughley | 4 | 41.742

Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center

Photos: © Winslow Photography

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