Tag Archives: Devon Fall Classic

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Eva Froio and Emily Dougherty Earn Low Junior and Low Amateur Jumper Championship Titles

September 20, 2021 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Emily Dougherty and SLF Peanut.

Devon, Pa. – Sept. 19, 2021 – The final day of the Devon Fall Classic kicked off early Sunday morning, this time featuring the final championship rounds of the show’s various jumper divisions in the famous Dixon Oval. The $5,000 Low Junior and Low Amateur Jumper Championship classes rounded out the day of festivities, with Eva Froio and Emily Dougherty taking home the top honors in their respective divisions.

New Jumper Division Champions Crowned

Prior to the $5,000 Low Junior and Low Amateur Jumper Championship classes, new champions were crowned in the $3,000 High Adult Amateur Jumper Championship, the $3,000 High Children’s Jumper Championship, the $1,500 Low Adult Amateur Jumper Championship, and the $1,500 Low Children’s Jumper Championship. Click here to read the full day’s results.

For additional information, please visit our website at www.DevonHorseShow.net.

Championships, Competitions, Show Jumping

Kaitlyn Williams and Cassio Melloni Top $25,000 Devon Fall Classic Grand Prix

September 19, 2021 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Kaitlyn Williams and Cassio Melloni.

Devon, Pa. – Sept. 18, 2021 – The stadium surrounding the Dixon Oval at the Devon Fall Classic was packed with spectators from near and far in anticipation of the weekend’s highlight event, the $25,000 Devon Fall Classic Grand Prix. With the high energy of the night, Kaitlyn Williams and Cassio Melloni rode quickly and carefully to beat out the competition and wrap up the evening with a victory gallop around the arena.

Callan Solem Continues Streak to Win $5,000 Speed Stake with VDL Wizard

September 14, 2019 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Callan Solem and VDL Wizard.

Devon, Pa. – Sept. 13, 2019 – Highlighting the day at the 2019 Devon Fall Classic was the $5,000 Speed Stake, with 27 competitors vying for the lion’s share of prize money. Hosted at the iconic Dixon Oval, horse-and-rider combinations were pressured to produce a clear round with the fastest time. Ultimately, Callan Solem and VDL Wizard emerged victorious to take home the coveted Devon Blue at the end of the competitive speed class.

Amanda Dobbs and MJ Claim Championship Title in Thoroughbred Jumper Division

A fall feel in the air, cool temperatures, and a light breeze set the stage for jumper competition Friday morning at the Devon Fall Classic. Midway through the day, Thoroughbred Jumpers took to the Dixon Oval, which was lined with festive pumpkins and cornstalks. Several entries made an appearance over the two days of Thoroughbred competition but ultimately, it was Amanda Dobbs and MJ who took the overall championship title.

For more information, visit www.devonhorseshow.net/fall-classic/.

Media Contact: Rebecca Walton
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
info@phelpsmediagroup.com

Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Callan Solem and Imogen De Regor Start Out Strong at Devon Fall Classic

September 13, 2019 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Callan Solem and Imogen De Regor.

Devon, Pa. – Sept. 12, 2019 – The 2019 Devon Fall Classic returned on Thursday, with a large number of entries entering the iconic Dixon Oval to try their hand in a vast selection of jumper classes. The highlight of the day’s events was the $5,000 Welcome Jumper Stake, with Callan Solem aboard Collin and Virginia McNeil’s Imogen De Regor claiming the top spot ahead of the field of competitors.

Taryn Nolte and Pablo Mejia Capture Wins in the Young Horse Jumpers

Thursday also saw up-and-coming horses competing in the 6-Year-Old Jumpers and 7-Year-Old Jumpers. Taking to the ring first, it was Taryn Nolte and New Normandy Farm’s Domino Normandy who captured the win in the 6-Year-Old division. Following, Pablo Mejia and his own Don’t Worry VH Scheefkasteel Z produced a clean and clear round to take the top placing in the 7-Year-Olds.

For more information, visit www.devonhorseshow.net/fall-classic/.

Media Contact: Rebecca Walton
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
info@phelpsmediagroup.com

Competitions, Show Jumping

Laura Chapot and Lucy Matz Claim Victories at 2017 Devon Fall Classic

September 16, 2017 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Laura Chapot and Out of Ireland.

Devon, PA – September 15, 2017 – Horses and riders returned to the Dixon Oval for another shot at the prize money for the 2017 Devon Fall Classic. Both the $5,000 Speed Stake and the $1,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers were run as pure speed classes, pressuring competitors to lay down a quick and clean first trip. The largest check of the night ultimately went to Laura Chapot, who piloted Out of Ireland to the winner’s title in the $5,000 Speed Stake. Lucy Matz and Bailey VI bested the field in the $1,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper class to ride away with the blue ribbon as the leading pair.

Capping off the evening under the lights as the most prestigious class of the day, the $5,000 Speed Stake challenged each contender to ride an effective trip over the 1.40m fences faster than the rest of the pack. Course designer Paul Jewell proposed a lofty series of obstacles to the horses and riders, proving no issue for Chapot and Out of Ireland, owned by The Edge, who blazed through the track in the unbeatable time of 60.446 seconds as the third to enter the ring. Though a series of competitors managed to keep all the rails in the cups for clean trips, none managed to surpass Chapot and Out of Ireland’s clean time except Chapot herself, who nearly outdid herself in the class aboard Mary Chapot’s Zealous. As one of the last to go, Chapot and Zealous laid down a strong performance and the quickest trip of the night in 59.971 seconds, the only pair to break 60 seconds, but unfortunately Zealous clipped the jump standard on a tight turn, toppling the rails to accumulate 4 faults against them.

Ibrahim Barazi and IB Stables’s Softbeat took their turn around the track two trips later, and it appeared that Barazi and his mount may give the early leaders reason to worry until a rail fell near the end of the course, with the pair finishing on 4 faults in a quick 61.125 seconds, the only pair at that point to come within a second of Chapot and Out of Ireland. The second-to-last to go, owner-rider Pablo Mejia and RL Queen Mary looked to pose the greatest threat to Chapot, crossing the timers in a nail-biting finish with all the rails still up, but unfortunately just a half-second too slow in 60.913 seconds, securing Chapot and Out of Ireland’s spot atop the scorecard.

Mejia and RL Queen Mary nabbed the second position behind Chapot and Out of Ireland in the victory gallop, followed by Barazi and his own Omnia Incipit, who finished in a clean 64.183 seconds to claim third position. Chelsea Babcock and Da Vinci, owned by Empire State Equine Sales, LLC, claimed fourth place with a clean time of 66.571 seconds, and Willie Tynan Red Barn Farm, LLC’s KEC City Limits rounded out the top five with their time of 67.228 seconds.

Earlier in the evening, Matz and Bailey VI, owned by Dorothy Matz, made their mark on the 2017 Devon Fall Classic with a win in the $1,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers. Matz and Bailey VI coasted around the track in a speedy 63.950 seconds, leaving the course intact and setting the standard for the remaining athletes. Three seemed to be a lucky number as, just like Chapot, Matz rode third in the order of go. Jesse Smith and her own Charles Pinckney Windsor Z gave the early leaders a run for their money with their clean ride, but tripped the timers a bit too slowly in 64.518 seconds. With only one pair left to ride, Matz and her mount’s time still stood at the top of the leaderboard as Cynthia McGrath and Mapledale Associates, LLC’s Quinaro, who won the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper class, entered the ring. Though McGrath and the towering Quinaro navigated the course faster than any other entrants, stopping the clock in 63.704 seconds, Matz and Bailey VI remained unparalleled as McGrath and her ride rolled rails to drop to fourth position overall.

Smith and Charles Pinckney Windsor Z retained the reserve position, followed by owner-rider Adrienne Marciano aboard Laspari, who finished in 70.380 seconds with 4 faults. McGrath claimed fourth and fifth place with Quinaro and Caruso, respectively.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
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Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

USHJA Horse of the Year Jumper Championship Wins for Traband and Rudershausen

September 20, 2016 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Elizabeth Traband and Ladonna.

Devon, Pa. – Sept. 17, 2016 – Elizabeth Traband and Melissa Rudershausen wrapped up the Devon Fall Classic on Sunday with victories during the United States Hunter Jumper Association Zone 2 Horse of the Year Jumper Championships. Traband and Rudershausen were among seven athletes to secure a spot in the winner’s circle in their respective divisions.

“This is actually my first show with Ladonna, and she just went in and marched around like a champion,” Traband said. “This is my favorite horse show. Just to be able to come here is great. It is such an incredible facility. There is so much history. It definitely makes this win more special.”

Traband rode Ladonna to victory in the $5,000 Low Junior Jumper Classic, besting the field of four riders who qualified for the speed round. Each competitor laid down a double-clear effort and only four-tenths of a second separated the top two athletes. Traband and her 11-year-old Warmblood triumphed with a time of 33.055 seconds, forcing Ashley Hartman and Clear Lady to settle for second place with a time of 33.490 seconds.

The unique rider shared her background, explaining, “I have a really crazy story. I became a fan of a guy named Tommie Turvey. At the time, I had this rotten pony that liked to buck me off and was horrible in the show ring. I rode him bridle-less everywhere, and one day, Tommie said, ‘Why don’t you come on the road with us?'”

Traband was born without an arm, but never allowed herself to be held back. At age 7, she was given the opportunity to travel all over the country with Turvey, performing in night shows and clinics.

“In 2010, we were performing at the World Equestrian Games,” the Penn State student continued. “Louise Serio was there with the international hunter derby riders. They got together and got me a grant to go to Wellington for two weeks – I was hooked.”

She added, “I hope I am an inspiration. I hope that I continue to push myself, and get outside of my comfort zone. It is amazing what you can achieve and what you can do when you put your nose to the grindstone.”

Lauren Lindner and Nazario 2 led the jump-off of the Low Junior Jumper class and set the initial time to beat, tripping the timers at 35.710 seconds. Her effort earned her the third-place finish, ahead of Chloe White and Miss Understood II, who finished in a time of 36.121 seconds for a fourth-place ribbon.

Rudershausen and Alicante Manciaise won the final class of the day in the $5,000 Low Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. The duo was first to tackle the Paul Jewell-designed course and laid down a faultless effort to claim their spot in the short course. Three other horse-and-rider combinations followed their lead, narrowing down the chance at the tricolor ribbon to four athletes.

“Going first in the jump-off, my plan was to not go crazy,” Rudershausen explained. “I wanted to be tight and tidy in the turns, save room in the turns and really let it go to the last fence. My plan went really well. When I landed from the last fence, I thought I had a pretty good chance of winning it.”

Rudershausen and her Selle Francais mare sped through the track effortlessly in a time of 33.852 seconds, setting a time to beat that was too difficult for the other contenders to catch.

“There is no feeling in the world like walking under the sign to the Dixon Oval,” Rudershausen said. “It is a special feeling, and one we always try to achieve. I have been showing here every year since the Fall Classic started. It is really nice that it is only one ring, only jumpers. It is just run beautifully. They do a great job, and I love it.”

The duo had one of the two double-clear rounds in the afternoon. Caroline Annarella earned the second-place honors aboard Maxima 103 with an errorless round and time of 36.970 seconds.

Taylor Willever incurred four faults and clocked in a time of 35.883 seconds for third place with Adeline, while Heather Irons and Quiesel 4 settled for fourth place with an unfortunate elimination.

Earlier in the day, Kimberly Nevitt and Pardoned earned the first rosette of the championship day, finishing first in the $1,500 Low Adult Amateur Classic, while Wendy Chapot Nunn and Finella settled for the red ribbon in the class.

Alexis C. Di Pasqua and Reba Dean led the victory gallop in the second and fourth class of the day. The dynamic duo bested five horse-and-rider combinations in the jump off of the $1,500 Low Children’s Jumper Classic and $3,000 High Children’s Jumper Classic to earn the victories. Christina Barnas and Demantur rode away with the second-place finish in the Low Children’s Jumper, while Robert Matz and Vamor secured the second place honors in the High Children’s Jumper.

The $3,000 High Adult Amateur Jumper Classic had a tough field of 22 competitors vying for the prize money and embroidered cooler. Sheila Ann Sadighi and Ulano bested the field of contenders and came out on top, while Joy Slater and Oilean Uno earned second place.

The ponies took over the Dixon Oval for the $1,500 Pony Jumper Classic, and Luke Sassi stole the show aboard Sky Miles as he sped through the course. Along the victory, Sassi earned the Pony Jumper Style of Riding Award. Catherine Wilson and EZ to Spot came up just short of the title, settling for the class’s red ribbon.

Traband’s and Rudershausen’s wins in Sunday’s Low Junior and Low Amateur-Owner classes marked the conclusion of the Devon Fall Classic. For more information on Devon Horse Shows, visit: www.devonhorseshow.net.

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Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Mattias Tromp and Avon Win Again, Claiming $25k Devon Fall Classic Victory

September 18, 2016 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Mattias Tromp and Avon.

Devon, Pa. – Sept. 17, 2016 – Embracing the roar of applause from the grand stands, Mattias Tromp smiled and gave a well-deserved pat on the neck to his mount, Avon, after winning the $25,000 Devon Fall Classic Saturday night. The duo led the victory gallop around the historic Dixon Oval after laying down a double-clear effort and impressive time of 39.206 seconds that sealed the win.

Twenty-two competitive horse-and-rider combinations vied for the $25,000 purse, and only seven qualified for the main event’s jump-off round. The top six riders had double-clear efforts, and just tenths of a second separated the second, third and fourth place finishers.

“It is pretty cool,” the North Salem, New York native said about winning at Devon. “It is sensational. I don’t have many words. It is an amazing feeling.”

Tromp and his 12-year-old Swedish stallion were the final pair to contend for the title. The crowd held their breath as he made the final turn, let out a sigh of relief when he cleared the final jump and collectively cheered as he looked to the clock and saw he beat Brooke Kemper by a second.

Beaming with gratitude, Tromp said, “I have to thank McLain Ward again for pairing me up with this horse. I’ve only had Avon since April, and we bought him and immediately started going to horse shows. I got to know his strengths and weaknesses quickly, and I think that has paid off for sure.”

The duo earned the victory in Friday night’s $5,000 Speed Stake, and has plans to take their talents to the indoor circuit this fall.

“I absolutely feel more prepared for Indoors,” Tromp explained. “This ring, this atmosphere, made me feel like I can really trust this horse under spookier circumstances. Going forward to Indoors, I know I won’t have to change my ride. Hopefully I can stay the same, and he will go the same way out there.”

Kemper had just stolen the top spot of the leaderboard from Laura Chapot, before Tromp entered the ring and bettered her effort to take the top spot.

“When I looked up and saw that I was a little faster than Laura, I was thrilled,” Kemper said. “She has a great horse that has done well for her. That is a super horse that Matt’s got. I thought he might be faster than he looks, and he was.”

Kemper beat Chapot by one-tenth of a second, earning the red ribbon with Classified in 40.382 seconds.

Chapot earned third and seventh place honors in the class. She had the initial ride in the speed round aboard Out of Ireland and incurred four faults in a time of 39.828 seconds, but returned aboard Thornhill Kate to trip the timers at 40.404 seconds, laying down a faultless effort.

Amanda Flint attempted to edge out Chapot, but fell two-tenths of a second too short, settling for fourth place with VDL Wittinger in a time of 40.606 seconds.

The fifth place honor was awarded to Linda Sheridan and Vantina HPF. The duo went clear and clocked in a time of 41.654 seconds. Conor O’Regan took home the sixth-place ribbon aboard Barlando with a time of 42.747 seconds.

The crowd enjoyed watching the competitors attempt a technical Paul Jewell-designed course that challenged the riders.

“The class worked out great; the horses went around fabulous,” Jewell said. “It was a fast jump-off. It let them gallop two long gallops on the course, and take a little bit of a risk to the in-and-out, and still protect themselves. It was exciting for the crowd, as well as me. They all jumped great.”

He continued, “It was fabulous. Whenever I can build a grand prix with a nice jump-off, and all the horses go home safe, I am really happy.”

“Frank [Chapot] was a great mentor of mine,” Jewell explained, as he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to design the course for a class held in the memory of the late Frank Chapot. “He was the one that convinced me to get my license. It was an honor to do this.”

Earlier in the evening, the spotlight was on Adrienne Marciano, who not only earned first and second in the $7,500 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, but also the champion and reserve honors of the division.

“I just got chills thinking of that (winning in the Dixon Oval),” Marciano shared. “There is a crowd out here in the evening, and the atmosphere at Devon is always awesome. I am just really happy.”

Only three horses qualified for the speed portion of the class, and Marciano was in the irons of two of them. She tackled the course aboard Canoso first and with a double-clear effort, set the time to beat at 35.093 seconds. She duplicated her effort aboard Laspari, besting her first go and breaking the beam in 34.636 seconds. Saly Glassman and Z Adermie 56 were the only other pair to qualify for the jump-off, settling for third place with a time of 41.911 seconds and four faults.

“Laspari is amazing,” Marciano smiled. “He can do anything with his body, and he gets me out of some ridiculous situations. I adore him. I love him, and I cannot say enough good things about him. He is a really good guy, and we are a perfect match.”