Katie Jacobs-Robinson and Sutton Place. Photos By: Parker/Russell – The Book LLC.
East Aurora, NY and Wellington, FL – April 1, 2014 – The 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival has come to a close, with all of the points and numbers tabulated to determine who was the best of the best. Katie Jacobs-Robinson showed two new horses this year for her family’s Deeridge Farms, and topped the standings with both mounts, winning the Amateur-Owner Hunter 36 & Over 3’3″ Circuit Championship aboard Sutton Place, and the Hunt Ltd. Amateur-Owner Hunter Over 35 Reserve Circuit Championship with Amarillo.
Although Sutton Place is still a young horse learning the ropes, he proved that he was the perfect student by continuing to improve throughout the circuit. He kicked things off with the reserve championship title during Weeks 1 and 2, but by Weeks 7, 9 and 11 he was claiming the championship award.
“It was hard, but really rewarding,” explained Jacobs-Robinson. “I think he’s a special horse and has a lot of talent. He’s a fast learner and I am feeling a lot more confident on him. Frequently, when we first started, he would look to turn the wrong way when we would land on course, and almost turn into the fence. By the end he understood the way a course normally flows.”
Jacobs-Robinson added, “He’s a little feisty and he can be a lot of horse sometimes to handle. He’s very brave though. I think that was a very competitive division. There are so many nice horses and good riders. I was really happy and proud to have winning the circuit championship as part of his resume.”
Right after the National Horse Show, Jacobs-Robinson picked up the ride on Amarillo, and they also clicked right away with a championship win during the first week of the circuit. Although the mount had a minor injury after Week 6, time off meant a few weeks without showing, but the talented young horse started right back up in the winner’s circle with another championship during Week 11 to cement his Reserve Circuit Championship in the Hunt Ltd. Amateur-Owner Over 35 Hunters.
“It started off really well,” noted Jacobs-Robinson. “He’s just a first year horse. We got to do the night class, which was really fun. It was nice that he hadn’t forgotten how to do his job and was Champion Week 11, because I didn’t know how he would come back.”
Jacobs-Robinson continued, “Amarillo knows his job when he walks into the ring. He’s not playful, he’s kind of serious, and he’s very calm. I have polar opposites. I have a silly guy who wants to play all of the time, and then I’ve got Amarillo who knows his job. Jane Gaston did such a super job bringing him along that he’s really all made up, even as a young horse.”
The final addition to Jacobs-Robinson string of talented mounts came in the middle of circuit thanks to Daniel Geitner and Emil Spadone, who were showing Tradewind at HITS Ocala. The pair started their partnership with good ribbons in the Amateur-Owner Over 35 Hunters during Weeks 10 and 11.
“He’s a lot of fun,” said Jacobs-Robinson. “I am still learning about him, but he’s very brave and quiet. It’s fun and I am having a really great time getting to know Tradewind.”
The Jacobs Family and Deeridge Farms will now rest before competing at the Old Salem Horse Shows, the Devon Horse Show and the Lake Placid Horse Shows this spring and summer.
Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
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