Press release from Wellington International, edited by World of Showjumping

After sustaining an injury at Traverse City in 2024, Rincoola Milsean was back under the U.S. flag with Charlotte Jacobs in the tack to win the $62,500 BrainWater CSI2* Grand Prix during Week 11 of WEF in the International Arena.

Last to go, Jacobs stopped the clock at 38.3 seconds over Andy Christiansen’s (USA) jump-off course with the 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding besting the nine other pairs that made it to the jump-off from the original forty-five on the start list.

“He’s extremely tight and quick across the ground. I knew if I stuck to my plan and didn’t get too caught up in what everybody else did, I would have a good chance. I wasn’t 100% sure if I had it or not, but he’s extremely fast and today was my day,” Jacobs said of her track with the Aldatus Z x Cruising gelding.

Jacobs spoke of the well-loved gelding affectionately known as Roy, saying, “Every day, I thank my lucky star that he came into my life. He’s a special horse, incredibly competitive and has a huge personality. He has a heart of gold and a heart of a lion; he would jump anything you put in front of him.

“I’m lucky he came back from his injury the way he did. I wasn’t really expecting this, and we’re still trying to get jumping fit, but every time I get to go in the ring with one of my favorite horses, it’s a bonus,” explained the 32-year-old North Star rider.

Earning a second-place finish was Germany’s Ruppert Carl Winkelmann riding his own Imodo, a 12-year-old KWPN gelding by Quasimodo Z x Corland, with a time of 39.84 seconds. Rounding out the podium was Jacqueline Ruyle (USA) and her own H Cornetta Dk, an 8-year-old Selle Français mare by Windows VH Costersveld x Diamant De Semilly, stopping the clock at 40.73 seconds.

In addition to the win, Rincoola Milsean was also awarded the Champion Equine Insurance Jumper Style Award for WEF 11 by Laura Fetterman.