Top Junior Riders Agree: WEC Premier Equitation Cup Championship Is the Place to Be
December 21, 2023 - Ocala, FL
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Top junior equitation riders from across the country are currently competing in classes to qualify for the 2024 World Equestrian Center (WEC) Premier Equitation Cup Championship, which will take place at WEC – Ocala on February 10, 2024. This can’t-miss event is on everyone’s calendar as the first big equitation championship of the year, and riders are showcased in the WEC Grand Arena in front of The Equestrian Hotel over a challenging and beautiful course. There is still time to qualify by competing in classes at both WEC locations in Ocala, FL, and Wilmington, OH, as well as at select shows with “Premier Cup” qualifiers.
Seventeen-year-old Isabelle Ehman of Milton, GA, trains with Don Stewart and is leading the national standings with almost twice as many points as the second-ranked rider. Having already competed in the Premier Cup three consecutive times, Ehman is making the championship class a goal for her final junior year.
“I love the WEC Premier Cup,” she acknowledged. “I think it is so fun, and it is unlike any other class. They do such a phenomenal job with all the jumps and dressing up the ring. They really make it feel like a final.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to win a car,” she continued. “You never get to do that in the equitation, so it makes it even more special. Having this type of prize really gives me extra motivation to make sure I prepare the best I can for this class. This class also gives you a feel for what you have and what you need to work on for the year. It is such a rewarding championship, especially since not only is the first-place person walking away with a prize, but the trainers are too.”
While the winner of the WEC Premier Equitation Cup Championship will indeed win a brand-new SUV, the top three trainers and a wild card trainer receive awards of $100,000 in total as well.
Izzy Beisel, who is 16 years old and resides in Goshen, OH, is a regular competitor at WEC – Wilmington, where she competed in the 2019 Premier Cup held there as well as the 2021 Ocala edition. Beisel will head south once again for the 2024 Premier Cup as she is already in the top 25 list of riders in the national standings.
“I think it’s cool to get to compete with some of the top juniors in the country that travel to Ocala for this class,” said Beisel. “I think it is special to get to ride in the big grand prix ring under the lights. Not many juniors get to experience that kind of venue.”
Beisel is looking forward to working with trainer Val Renihan for the equitation and is “excited to meet new people as well as see old friends!”
Maddie Tosh, the winner of the 2023 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) Equitation Finals, will compete for the second time in the Premier Cup in 2024. The 17-year-old from Milton, GA, is one of the top equitation riders in the country and appreciates the awareness that the championship brings to Ocala, WEC and the riders.
“I love the fact that this great class is in Ocala and gives some recognition to the incredible facility that WEC is,” said Tosh. “It draws all the top junior riders and trainers because of the generous amounts of prize money and the car. It's nice to have an additional championship class for the equitation since there are only a few of those throughout the year. WEC really puts a big spotlight on the class, and it attracts great competition.”
Tosh will bring out her top equitation partner and WIHS winner, Daktari 38, for the Premier Cup.
She noted, “I'm looking forward to riding Daktari in this year's championship. Last year he was still a little green, so I chose a different horse for the class. This year I'm very excited to ride him in the Premier Cup.”
Those riders who want to join Ehman, Beisel and Tosh in the 2024 WEC Premier Equitation Cup Championship can still qualify through classes at WEC – Ocala and WEC – Wilmington as well as additional select shows. Riders that have not already qualified can earn a wild card spot by placing first through third in the WEC Premier Cup Qualifier during Week V of the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala or Week VIII of the 2024 Wilmington Winter Classic at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington, which both take place on January 31-February 4, 2024.
For more details, including the Premier Cup specifications, current standings and a complete list of events hosting a WEC Premier Cup Qualifier, please visit the link below.
For questions or comments regarding the 2024 WEC Premier Equitation Cup Championship, please contact wec@ryegate.com.
About World Equestrian Center
World Equestrian Center features two premier equestrian and multidisciplinary venues in Ocala, Florida, and Wilmington, Ohio.
These exclusive facilities comprise state-of-the-art arenas, expansive stadiums, versatile outdoor space, sporting fields and well-appointed exposition centers. An abundance of lodging options and luxury accommodations are conveniently located on-site, along with shopping and dining throughout each property.
Dedicated to offering great sport and good fun in a family-friendly environment, World Equestrian Center promises an unparalleled experience for exhibitors, spectators, vendors, sponsors and retailers built on three core values: Quality. Class. Distinction.
Media Contact
Justin Garner
Justin.garner@wec.net
