Spectators filled the grandstands of the Sanctuary Arena this afternoon for the $25,000 World Equestrian Center Grand Prix and the $7,500 Futures Prix 1.30m sponsored by Voltaire Design. There was a nail biting jump off in the Grand Prix with just two entries going double clear. Ultimately, it was Kelley Robinson and her own Blue’s Yer Daddy (Mr. Blue) that took home the win. Michael Kocher dominated the Futures Prix this afternoon, taking first and third place aboard his own Captain Jack Sparrow H (Cassin x Unicutus) and Andrew Kocher’s Hector AAD (Lord Z x Ricci van de Olmenhoeve), respectively.
Sixteen entries represented four countries in this afternoon’s $25,000 World Equestrian Center Grand Prix. The course for the class was designed by Bobby Murphy of Lexington, Kentucky and featured fifteen jumping efforts including three combinations, forward lines and inside track options. Just two entries managed double clear rounds, but it was Kelley Robinson and her own Blue’s Yer Daddy (Mr. Blue) that nabbed the win.
The pace setters in this afternoon’s Grand Prix were Isabel Harbour and Ashland Farms’ Rivale du Barquet (Adelfos x Gamine D’Arade). The pair frequent the 1.30-1.40m jumpers taking top placings. This afternoon, Harbour and the fourteen year old Selle Francais gelding took their time in the first round, making sure to leave all rails up in a time of 81.069 seconds, still under the time allowed of 84 seconds.
Kevin McCarthy and his own Easton also delivered a clear first round near the end of the order. The pair have been climbing the ranks in Welcome Stakes and Grands Prix and took fourth place in Thursday’s $5,000 Welcome Stake 1.35m, preparing them well for this afternoon’s class. McCarthy and the scopey dark bay gelding navigated a clear first round in 75.336 seconds, securing a spot in the jump off.
Kelley Robinson and her own Blue’s Yer Daddy (Mr. Blue) also snagged a spot in the jump off near the end of the first round. The pair have a fantastic rapport, regularly taking top placings in Grands Prix and FEI classes. This afternoon, Robinson and the thirteen year old gelding were quick and clear in the first round in a time of 73.999 seconds, signaling that they would be strong competitors in the jump off.
The ring was refreshed and five entries returned for the jump off. First to contest the course was Harbour and Rivale Du Barquet. The pair kept a steady pace, taking the inside track to fences six, nine and eleven and crossing the timers at 40.494 seconds, setting the time to beat. McCarthy and Easton took to the course shortly after, galloping to each fence and mimicking Harbour’s inside turns. The pair pulled one unlucky rail, but stopped the clock at a speedy 37.821 seconds, enough to move them into second place. One of the last to return was Robinson and Blue’s Yer Daddy. The pair kept their fiery pace from their first round, adding inside turns to shave crucial seconds off of the clock. Robinson and Blue’s Yer Daddy galloped though the timers with all rails up at 36.070 seconds, ultimately taking first place.
Robinson of Cimarron Show Stables in Russel, Ontario took a moment to chat with us ringside after the awards presentation, “I was really happy with this horse because he’s not always the fastest because he’s so big and strong, but he’s very good. This is his first time showing indoors, so I really wasn’t so sure how he would be, but he was excellent. I’m happy to be at World Equestrian Center. I’ve never been here before, this is a beautiful facility. It’s amazing. We’re from Russel, Ontario, so I’m happy to have a warm place to come to show jump!”
When asked about Blue’s Yer Daddy’s personality, Robinson replied, “He’s pretty special. He’s very big and strong and a bit rude. I bred him, so it’s nice – he’s a lot like his mother. His little sister also jumped this class and she was seventh.”
$25,000 WEC Grand Prix Results
1. Blue’s Yer Daddy, Kelley Robinson – 0 | 0 | 36.070
2. Rivale Du Barquet, Isabel M. Harbour – 0 | 0 | 40.494
3. Easton, Kevin McCarthy – 0 | 4 | 37.831
4. Reposado, Isabel M. Harbour – 0 | 4 | 38.990
5. Malle Babbe van’t Kieveld, David Arcand – 0 | 17 | 57.830
6. Rossco, Aida M. Sanchez Long – 2| 85.367
7. Lise, Kelley Robinson – 4 | 71.103
8. Balou Moon BHF, Hanna E. Toering – 4 | 72.875
9. Strawberry, Molly Kindess – 4 | 74.989
10. Rodeo VDL, Liz Atkins – 4 | 76.030
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