Carla Diewert and WH Corona are on a podium streak. The pair picked up their second win in the Emily Sandhack Equestrian Realty 1.35m Open Jumper Classic in as many weeks on Friday. They also won the YETI 1.30m Open Jumper and were second in the Maui Jim Grand Prix 1.40m at last week’s April Season Opener.
At the Spring Festival, they were back to their winning ways, topping the six-horse jump off by over a second. Their winning time was 37.62 seconds. Georgia Hunt and Infostar took second in 38.73 seconds. Amanda Sinnett and Connecticut slotted into third in 42.8.
“After the double I really sliced the vertical, then I really turned quickly to the last jump,” said Diewert, who qualified both her mounts for the jump off. “I definitely tried to go too fast on my first horse [Cogito]. I’m a little rustier on that one. I haven’t shown him outdoors since August last year, but [WH Corona] I showed last week so I felt more comfortable to go fast.”
Diewert’s partnership with WH Corona is a long one—she’s been in the irons with the 16-year-old gelding (Carthago Sun III x Charmeur) for 10 years. But the speedy bay still keeps her on her toes. A spook on their way to the first fence in the first round had Diewert making an unplanned circle to re-organize before they got down to business.
“He was just goofing around. He has his own fun and games sometimes. But then once I start on course, he’s like, ‘Oh, I guess I better concentrate.’ He thinks he’s pretty funny,” smiled the Foothill, AB based rider.
“Last week before the jump off [in the Emily Sandhack Equestrian Realty 1.35m Open Jumper Classic] he did the same kind of thing, but only half as badly. This time I was thought, okay I’ve got to circle and get this a little more organized.”
Diewert will look to keep their win streak alive on Sunday in the $10,000 tbird 1.40m Grand Prix. Tickets are available on tbird.ca.
$2,500 Emily Sandhack Equestrian Realty 1.35m Open Jumper Classic
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time
1. WH Corona / Carla Diewert / CAN / Carla Diewert / 0/0 37.62
2. Infostar / Georgia Hunt / CAN / Georgia Hunt / 0/0 38.73
3. Havana / Kassidy Keith / CAN / Kassidy Keith / 0/0 38.87
4. Connecticut / Amanda Sinnett / CAN / Amanda Sinnett / 0/0 42.8
5. Brad 7 / Christopher Lowe / CAN / Christopher Lowe / 0/0 43.24
6. A Crown Royale / Ayla Martinoff / CAN / Ayla Martinoff / 0/8 39.92
7. Cogito / Carla Diewert / CAN / Carla Diewert / 0/8 41.75
8. Samba de Landetta / James McDonald / CAN / Diana McDonald / 1 85.29
9. Cella / Taylor Winther / CAN / Taylor Winther / 4 77.35
10. EZ Ace / Dana Henson / CAN / Bradon Equestrian Ltd / 4 80.15
