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New Zealand’s Kirk Webby Zips to $25,000 Devon Speed Challenge Victory

Kirk Webby and Brando du Rouet.

Riders in Friday night’s $25,000 Devon Speed Challenge gave the crowd a reason to cheer at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair as they raced to win the coveted title. Multiple riders managed to traverse the track without error, but it was Kirk Webby and Brando du Rouet who won the “hoof race” with a blazing round in 59.443 seconds.

Brandi Holloway set the pace to beat with Lucky Strike, faultless in a time of 60.070 seconds as they sliced the fences and galloped through the timers. Thursday’s third place finisher in the $100,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon, Devin Ryan, came close, but his clear round was just fractions behind Holloway in 60.509 seconds to take home third place for the second night in a row.

Katie Dinan left all the fences intact with her scopey mount Bijou de Balou, but the extra airtime over the fences cost them on the clock. Their time of 62.288 seconds would hold up for fifth place.

When New Zealand native Webby entered the ring with the 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding Brando du Rouet by the legendary Baloubet du Rouet, he knew he could use his mounts natural speed to win the class. They zipped through the timers in 59.443 seconds to take over the lead. Laura Chapot was the last in the class and the last to clear the course with Zealous, but their time of 61.696 seconds would only be good enough for fourth, sealing Webby’s win.

“The horse is pretty naturally fast so I didn’t really have to go crazy,” admitted Webby after leading the victory gallop. “He always lands going. He was really snug everywhere. I was lucky enough to be fast enough.”

Webby began riding Brando du Rouet at the beginning of year, but the pair quickly figured each other out, winning the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix in Ocala, Florida. With natural speed and quality, Webby hopes to continue their winning partnership at the Upperville and Lake Placid Horse Shows.

Friday night’s victory at Devon was special for Webby, who has made multiple trips to the historic event. “I love it here,” he smiled. “I think it’s a fabulous show. The facilities are great. The crowd is great. It’s really special to come here. It’s a shame that we don’t get to do shows like this more often.”

Adrienne Sternlicht is another rider who returned to Devon to take home a blue ribbon today, winning the Amateur-Owner Jumper Accumulator event with Quidam MB.

“The ambiance and atmosphere has almost an international feel,” said Sternlicht. “Winning a class is really important. I actually have only been here one time since I showed in the ponies. I remember it was such a big deal. Even winning here in the junior hunters, it’s such a big deal. I jumped the grand prix last night, and the atmosphere is unparalleled in the United States.”

During Friday’s class, Sternlicht managed to earn the highest number of points by jumping all of the course’s obstacles and also clearing the 20-point “joker” for 65 points in 49.785 seconds.

“I did a hit and hurry in the open jumpers the other day, and I had no idea what I was doing,” laughed Sternlicht. “It’s a little bit of experimentation. It’s fun to jump classes with different formats. I think it adds a little bit of diversity to the sport. These classes are fun for the crowd because they’re easy to follow, and they add a little bit of excitement. I enjoyed it.”

Also earning 65 points to take home second place was Melissa Rudershausen with Charmeur Ask in a time of 51.987 seconds. Callie Smith rounded out the top three aboard Upstaire, who earned 65 points in 52.439 seconds. Smith also won the first Amateur-Owner Jumper event in the morning with her second mount Bigshot as the only double clear entry. Kelsey Thatcher also qualified for the jump-off with Athena to place second.

The Amateur-Owner Jumpers will conclude Saturday afternoon with the $20,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Classic. The final event for the Open Jumpers will be Saturday night’s highlight event, the $50,000 Idle Dice Open Jumper Stake.

For more information about the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair and complete results, visit www.DevonHorseShow.org.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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