For the second year in a row — and third overall — Nayel Nassar (EGY) and his indelible mount Lordan led the victory gallop in the $100,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Thermal (USA).
Besting a jump-off field of five, Nassar and his 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding crossed the timers of Marina Azevedo’s (BRA) shortened course in 43.89 seconds. The duo narrowly edged Eve Jobs, who recorded the best World Cup finish of her career with her own Venue d’Fees des Hazalles; their time was 43.97 seconds. Lisa Carlsen (CAN) finished third aboard Parette after recording the winning time but pulling the rail at the final fence.
“I’m just thrilled with my horse and thrilled to be sitting here again!” — Nayel Nassar (EGY)
Nassar has been partnered with Lordan for more than seven years. In addition to winning last year’s event, the pair also topped the class in 2016. Nassar used his longtime partnership to his advantage, creating his own jump-off plan based off his horse’s quick, yet smaller, stride.
“I tried not to focus too much on what the other riders were doing,” Nassar said. “I know that Lordan is a very different kind of horse with a different kind of stride. I just wanted to know whether my jump-off pace was going to be fast enough or if I needed to take any extra risks.”
The pace proved to be just enough, resulting in a close, eight-hundredths of a second margin of victory.
“It ended up being a lot closer than I expected,” Nassar said, “but luckily we were on the right side of that today.”
Consistency Proves Key
With consistent, points-earning performances in Vancouver (CAN), Columbus (USA), Del Mar (USA) and Thermal, Jobs took over the lead in the west coast sub league standings of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League with 48 points.
Should Jobs qualify to compete at Gothenburg (SWE) in April, it would be her first appearance in a World Cup Final.
“If everything goes as planned, and I can continue to feel comfortable competing at such a high level, I would be honored to go,” she said. “I’m very excited.”
Richard Spooner (USA), a 15-time World Cup Finals veteran, including last season, moved into second in the standings after finishing fourth in Thermal. He has 36 points, four ahead of Zazou Hoffman (USA), who won the World Cup qualifier at Del Mar (USA) in October.
Lexington, KY – May 11, 2017 – California’s Eve Jobs put in two near flawless rounds to best a field of 66 horses and riders to capture the victory in the $35,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3* with a time of 34.71 seconds. The 18-year-old athlete and her talented mount Charleville sped past riders that were her senior not only in age but also in experience as she bested the 15-horse jump-off with a blazing time. Sharn Wordley of New Zealand and Rye Val De Mai were hot on Jobs’ heels finishing a close second in a time of 34.85 seconds. Rounding out the top three spots on Thursday night at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show was Abigail McArdle on Cade, finishing with a time of 34.94 seconds.
The $35,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3* was the first class in the Hagyard Series Challenge. The series consists of seven grand prix classes to be held during the 2017 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, a cash prize of $50,000 will be awarded to the rider accumulating the most points throughout the series.
Although Charleville, a 10-year-old KWPN gelding, is one of the more recent additions to Job’s string of talented show jumpers, the pair has had several top placings together at the Winter Equestrian Festival, including winning the $15,000 SJHOF High Amateur-Owner Classic presented by Engle & Völkers. Despite her age, Jobs has wasted no time moving up the ranks and competing in more challenging classes.
For more information on the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, please visit www.hagyard.com.
Eve Jobs, on Charleville: “I just got Charleville in March and I was a little slow yesterday with him through the turns, so I was planning to keep a good rhythm and have a nice trip. He’s pretty fast so I wasn’t worried about the time. He’s really fast and he’s a fighter. He always wants to win.”
On showing in Lexington: “This is one of my favorite facilities. The footing is amazing and it has a really nice feel to it being in the stadium.”
Scott Stewart Secures Grand Hunter Championship with Private Life and Fun
As hunter competition continued into day two at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, Scott Stewart proved to be his biggest competition, tying with two mounts scoring 56 for the Grand Open Hunter Championship. Stewart expertly guided both Fun, a 7-year-old Dutch Warmblood, and Private Life to win their respective division championships and shared Grand Hunter Champion title, sponsored by Visse Wedell of Wedell Real Estate.
Scott Stewart and Private Life. Shawn McMillen Photography.
Fun, owned by David Gochman, ruled the over fences classes in the High Performance Conformation Hunter division both days with scores in the 80s before going on to win the under saddle class. Earlier in the day, Stewart was aboard Dr. Betsee Parker’s Private Life to secure a division championship in the Green Conformation Hunters. The 6-year-old KWPN gelding was first in both rounds during day one with scores of 88 and 90. Stewart is planning to show later this month at the prestigious Devon Horse Show and Country Fair in Devon, Pennsylvania.
Scott Stewart, on the Kentucky Spring Horse Show: “We always come here as the show before Devon because it’s a good place to get ready for that event. The horses feel great because they’ve had a little break since Florida. The Kentucky Spring Horse Show is great, the facility is wonderful, but it’s also the town of Lexington. We’re done early enough and the whole area is pretty so I really like it.”
Lauren Hough and Ohlala. Photos by Shawn McMillen Photography.
Laura Kraut and Andretti S Victorious in $35,000 Accumulator Costume Class; Isabel Ryan and Eve Jobs Win Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Speed Rounds
Washington, D.C. – The 2016 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) hosted its third day of equestrian competition at Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C. on Thursday. USA’s Lauren Hough and Ohlala were the winners in the $35,000 International Jumper Welcome Stake, presented by CMJ Sporthorse LLC. Another win for the USA went to Laura Kraut riding Andretti S in the $35,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class, presented by the Gochman Family.
The Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers also competed on Thursday with a win for Eve Jobs and Sandor de la Pomme in the $5,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper speed class, sponsored by Staysail Farm, and a one-two finish for Isabel Ryan with Levistano 2 and Abilitydance in the $2,500 Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper speed class, sponsored by The Strauss Family.
In Thursday’s $35,000 International Jumper Welcome Stake, presented by CMJ Sporthorse LLC, course designer Alan Wade (IRL) set for 29 entries with seven clear rounds over his first round track. Callan Solem (USA) and Horseshoe Trail Farm LLC’s VDL Wizard chose not to return for the jump-off and finished in seventh place. David Will (GER) and Centin Güngor’s Cento du Rouet were first to go over the short course, finishing fifth with four faults in 34.67 seconds. Alison Robitaille (USA) and Bertram and Diana Firestone’s Ace were next to go, jumping a double clear round in 38.00 seconds to eventually finish third. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and his own and the Blue Buckle Group’s Cobolt dropped two rails in 36.94 seconds to end in sixth place. Next to go, Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) and David Gochman’s Lady Maria BH were double clear in 37.92 seconds to take a brief lead. Laura Kraut (USA) jumped into fourth place with her time of 38.54 seconds riding St. Bride’s Farm’s Confu. Last to go, Lauren Hough (USA) and The Ohlala Group’s Ohlala clocked the winning round in 35.27 seconds.
Hough first partnered with Ohlala, a 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare (Orlando x Cardento), five years ago and last competed at WIHS in 2012 when the pair won the $32,000 International Open Jumper faults converted class. At that time, Hough had been riding Ohlala for just one year and was stepping the mare up to the grand prix level with high hopes. Ohlala has since lived up to great expectations and won major classes all over the world.
Explaining her decision to return to WIHS after a three-year hiatus, Hough said, “I am really trying to concentrate on the World Cup qualifiers. I would like to go to the World Cup Finals with her this year, and so I decided to do a tour here. I did Tryon last week. I will go back to Europe to go to Doha next week and then carry on to Toronto.”
“She is wonderful. She loves to win,” Hough said of Ohlala. “I think her favorite part was the prize giving today. Indoors obviously suits her, being a small horse. I felt in the jump-off I did what I needed to do without taking too much risk, and still keeping Saturday night in the back of my mind and having a good prep for that. I feel like I have left enough in the tank to try to win again on Saturday as well.”
The pair will compete in Saturday night’s $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Washington, presented by Events DC, so Hough did not want to take too much risk in the jump-off.
“She is naturally very quick, so I just rode my round and kept the turns a little bit short,” Hough detailed. “I made quite a short turn into the double and she did that great. Then I still took my time to the last. I didn’t leave out, but just her natural rhythm and the pace she carries over the ground made my job very easy.”
Hough added, “We bought her the end of her seven-year-old year and she has won her whole life. She jumps at a very high level, and I have been concentrating a lot on Nations’ Cups, so it is nice to let her go enjoy it a little bit and be able to go fast.”
Hough is based part of the year in the United States and part of the year in Europe. Being back at WIHS after several years, she has enjoyed the competition.
“I love America, and I love riding here. I am very lucky to have the opportunity to compete all over the world and be based in both places, but it is always really special to be back in America in front of a home crowd,” Hough acknowledged. “This is a great horse show. In the nighttime they get great crowds, and to be in the middle of D.C. is something special. I know they try really hard, and I like to support good American shows.
Laura Kraut Wins $35,0000 Accumulator Costume Class
The $35,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class, presented by the Gochman Family, was held on Thursday evening during the show’s always-popular Barn Night, presented by Dover Saddlery with the generous support of The Peterson Family Foundation and National Harbor. Local young riders and horse enthusiasts attended in groups and had the chance to enter contests, win big prizes, and enjoy a fun, horse-filled evening that included the WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Races, presented by Charles Owen, and internet sensations Dally & Spanky.
Laura “Little Red Riding Hood” Kraut and Andretti S
For the win, Kraut and her mount, Stars and Stripes’ Andretti S, cleared the course and the high side of the joker fence for a 65-point total in the fastest time of 44.47 seconds. Kraut was awarded the Crown Royal Trophy, donated by Crown Royal, as the winning rider, and Andretti S earned the Sue Ann Geisler Memorial Trophy, donated by the Washington International Horse Show, as the winning horse.
Dressed as Little Red Riding Hood for the costume class, Kraut had a great time competing in front of the Barn Night crowd and was proud of Andretti S for his great performance. The 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Corland x Animo) has shown at WIHS three times and thrives in the atmosphere at Verizon Center.
“He has been really good. He started out the year fantastic in Florida,” Kraut detailed. “Then we had an accident; he fell at a water jump, and it took him a little while just to get his confidence back. He never did anything bad, but he just was nervous. Sort of starting at the Gold Cup he has gotten better. He always seems to like that show, and he has been going well again, and he has been very consistent.
“For some reason he loves Washington,” Kraut added. “He is a claustrophobic-type horse. He doesn’t like other horses coming towards him, but I think this is the third year I have brought him here and he always does well, so it is fun. I am happy with him.”
Second place honors went to Catherine Tyree (USA) riding Mary Tyree’s Bokai with a score of 65 in 45.15 seconds. Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) and David Gochman’s Luibanta BH finished third with 65 points in 45.50 seconds. Andrew Kocher (USA) earned a perfect score of 65 as well riding Eagle Valley Partners LLC’s Ciana, and finished fourth with his time of 51.63 seconds. Kocher and Ciana then earned the Best Costume Award, presented by Equestrian Sport Productions, for their impressive clown attire.
Barn Night was a huge success as some of the region’s top groups came out Thursday night to participate in special contests and enjoy the unique competition. Memory Hill earned the award for Best Group Video, Harmony Ridge won Best Group Banner, Meadowbrook won Overall Largest Group, and Serene Acres took home the award for Best Group Spirit.
Isabel Ryan and Eve Jobs Triumph in Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers
The $2,500 Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper speed class, sponsored by The Strauss Family, was held on Thursday afternoon with a one-two finish for 17-year-old Isabel Ryan of Locust Valley, NY. Ryan rode Heritage Farm, Inc.’s Levistano 2 to victory and finished second riding her own Abilitydance.
Twenty-two entries started over Alan Wade’s (IRL) one-round speed course, which saw eight clear trips. Ryan and Levistano 2 cleared the course in 48.52 seconds. Abilitydance stopped the clock in 49.21 seconds, and Quinn Larimer and Nestledown Equine Services LLC’s Bronson CR finished the track in 49.40 seconds to place third.
For the win, Ryan was awarded the Beagle Brook Farm Perpetual Trophy. This was her first time winning at WIHS since riding ponies, and her first trip back to the show in three years. In 2014, she started riding with Andre Dignelli at Heritage Farm and just started doing the jumpers last year.
“It was a good return (to WIHS),” Ryan admitted. “My horses were so good. I was really happy because Billy (Abilitydance) is younger, and he was perfect. He really listened to me, which I was worried about. Levi (Levistano 2) was amazing. He was fast, but I was able to get him back really easily, and that was the goal going in. They were both amazing.”
Ryan first started showing Levistano 2 in the jumpers last year and learned quickly with an experienced partner in the 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding (by Levisto). Abilitydance is a newer partnership, but the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (by Orame) has also given the young rider great experience.
“I’m fairly new to the jumpers, and I first got Levi because he is older and very experienced,” Ryan detailed. “He was my first real jumper. I started with him at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) this year in the Low Junior Jumpers and then I slowly moved up. Billy was actually my equitation horse last year and then we switched him to the jumpers in week two of WEF this year. He has been getting used to this job, and he was amazing.”
It was a different experience competing on a horse in the jumpers compared to Ryan’s last experience at WIHS on ponies, but her horses gave her two great rounds.
“It was a little nerve-wracking, especially because the last time I was here I was jumping 2’3”, so that was a big difference,” Ryan acknowledged. “It was really nice to have Levi because I have a lot of confidence in him, and I knew that even if it wasn’t the most competitive round, at least he was going to help me have a nice, good experience at Washington. With Billy, my main goal was just to have a nice round and be clean because this is a big step up from anything that he has done before, so it was a great experience showing here.”
WIHS was Ryan’s last show before heading down to the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL for the winter show season. She is a senior in high school and recently submitted applications to colleges. She plans to continue riding as much as possible.
The $5,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper speed class, sponsored by Staysail Farm, was held during the evening session with a win for 18-year-old Eve Jobs of Palo Alto, CA riding her own Sandor de la Pomme. The pair was awarded The “Footloose” Perpetual Trophy in remembrance of Ruth Ellen Wilmot, donated by The Curtin Family in honor of 1990 winner “Footloose.”
Twenty-four entries showed in the speed competition with just eight clear rounds. Katherine Strauss and All In led with a time of 52.88 seconds, but were pushed to second place in the end as Jobs crossed the finish line in a time of 50.16 seconds. Alexandra Pielet and Co-Pielet LLC’s Helene Ve finished third in 54.62 seconds.
Jobs was competing at the Washington International Horse Show for the first time on Thursday and had great confidence in her mount, a 14-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Darco) that she has ridden for two years. The pair also won the Junior Jumper Championship at the Devon Horse Show earlier in the year. Jobs has trained with Missy Clark and John Brennan at North Run in Warren, VT for the last six years and will take a gap year to continue her riding in 2017 before heading to college at UCLA in September. For now, the rider will enjoy a hard-won victory in the challenging competition on Thursday.
“These are my really good friends, and I know that a lot of them are very fast riders. I did not get to watch much, so I was a little intimated walking in there of course,” Jobs admitted. “I think because my horse had such a big stride I was able to do the nine strides down the second to last line, and then the six coming home, which I don’t think many people did. That is probably where I picked up the most time.”
Speaking further of her mount, Jobs said, “This horse is so special. Everything that I have done has been because of this horse. He has taught me an exponential amount. He is truly one of the best horses I have ever ridden.”
Jobs’ main goal this year was to compete in the major equitation finals, and she will also show in the WIHS Equitation Finals this week, starting with the hunter phase on Friday. She then heads to the CP National Horse Show in Kentucky to conclude the season. She will begin competing as an amateur at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL starting in January.
Commenting on her first experience at WIHS, Jobs stated, “All of the horses were wonderful. I think the show is a lot of fun. I think the atmosphere is unlike anything I have ever been to. It is a small ring, but the track rode really nice, and I am very happy with my first day.”
The Washington International Horse Show continues on Friday with the championships for the Junior Hunter divisions as well as the hunter phase of the WIHS Equitation Finals. The Low and High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers will have jump-off classes in the afternoon session. The evening session begins with a $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final, followed by the $25,000 International Jumper Puissance, presented by The Boeing Company. For full results, visit www.wihs.org.
Eve Jobs and Sandor de la Pomme. Photo By: The Book, LLC.
Devon, Pa. – May 28, 2016 – Eve Jobs has closed out her first and last Junior Weekend at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair on a spectacular note. Competing in the $20,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior Jumper Classic, Jobs and Sandor de la Pomme topped an eight-horse jump-off to take home the prestigious victory. Combined with a second place finish during Friday night’s event, Jobs also captured the Junior Jumper Championship and the Leading Junior Jumper Rider Award for her outstanding performances over the weekend.
“This is my first time here at Devon, and it’s my last class here, so I couldn’t have imagined a better way to end it,” expressed Jobs. “I think my horses have been so consistent and so amazing all three days. To win the Leading Junior Jumper Rider Award is just so special to me, because it showed that I was consistent over the last three days, which is important to me.”
Twenty-eight entries took their turn over the Kelvin Bywater course, but only eight were able to advance to the final tiebreaker. Emma Sargent and Winchester set the time to beat as the first pair to complete the jump-off without error, but they were more conservative with a time of 43.634 seconds.
Jobs and Sandor de la Pomme entered the ring one round later and still had three horses coming behind them. Leaving nothing to chance, they made tight turns and galloped speedily through the timers in 37.109 seconds to take over the top spot.
“The plank was a very careful jump, so we definitely practiced it in the warm-up with the short turn,” noted Jobs. “I was most worried about that jump. After that it was just nice. I had a rub on the last two fences, and I got lucky today. I couldn’t have asked for more from my horse.”
None of the other riders were able to best Jobs’ time and leave the jumps intact. McKayla Langmeier had the fastest 4-fault round as the pathfinder during the tiebreaker with Manhattan. Their beautiful effort earned them the third place honors as well as the Shalanno Style of Riding Award, which is presented to the junior rider who best exemplifies the American style of equitation.
The fourth place award went to Giavanna Rinaldi and Dulf van den Bisschop, who also had one rail, while Friday night’s winners Madison Goetzmann and Wrigley rounded out the top five and earned the Junior Jumper Reserve Championship.
Seventeen-year-old Jobs began riding Sandor de la Pomme in December of 2014 and has been riding with Missy Clark and John Brennan since she was 12 years old. “I’ve had Sandor de la Pomme for about a year and a half,” said Jobs. “He is the most amazing horse. I have so many incredible things to say about him. He has brought me up from the 1.30m to this level. He’s really a once in a lifetime horse.”
Although this is Jobs’ last junior year, she is dedicated to the sport and plans to spend the summer in Europe and take a gap year before college to focus on riding. “I plan to be down in Florida after Finals in November,” she stated. “I have a great group of horses under me right now and great trainers. We’ll see where it takes us!”
Jobs concluded, “I’d love to thank my groom, Ruben Herrera, and the whole staff at North Run. There are so many people who put in all the time and work. It really makes the job easier for me.”
The action will continue Sunday with the Carriage Pleasure Drive and Pony Jumper Championship. Highlight events during the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair include the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby and the $225,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon CSI4*.
The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair is the longest running and largest outdoor multi-breed competition in the United States. With the grandeur of Philadelphia’s prestigious Main Line setting the stage, the event features a world-class field that annually ranks among the most prominent internationally. The event also includes the Country Fair that offers world-class shopping, rides and games for kids, multiple dining options and special entertainment events.
Emma Kurtz Outshines the Field in Junior Hunter Divisions
For junior superstar Emma Kurtz, delivering four amazing rounds atop the stunning Evermore to sweep the Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under division was a piece of cake. The judges also selected Kurtz and Evermore as the winners of the Angelo Perpetual Trophy for exemplifying classic hunter style.
Emma Kurtz and Evermore
Evermore is a fairly new ride for Kurtz, who said the 6-year-old gelding set foot in the Dixon Oval for the first time on Friday. Kurtz and Scott Stewart both showed Evermore at WEF and Kentucky in the Juniors and First Years, respectively, before heading to Devon.
“He’s pretty impressive, but I had no expectations at all for him,” Kurtz explained. “I know he’s an amazing horse, but he’s still green, so sometimes he makes mistakes; it’s normal. And then after I won both classes the first day, the second day was the same thing. The handy was a little difficult, so I wanted to have a smooth round and not scare him or anything. He jumped it great, so it was good.”
In addition to the division championship, Kurtz and Evermore rode away with the Overall Small Junior Hunter Championship and the Devon Grand Junior Hunter Championship.
“It was incredible,” Kurtz smiled. “We just kept having to keep circling back. It was funny. I think I have five new saddle pads.”
Emma’s mother, Chris Kurtz, said she was very proud of her daughter.
“It’s a very unique situation for us where she doesn’t own anything of her own,” Chris explained. “Her dad is a high school math teacher. To be able to do this at this level… just the people and the support are incredible. Amanda (Lyerly) looks out for her and is always coordinating things for her. She obviously has to ride well and keep the rides, but the generosity of people has been overwhelming.”
Kurtz also earned the honor of second-best child rider on a horse, while the top honors went to McKayla Langmeier. Lucy Deslauriers earned the third place recognition, and Coco Fath earned enough points for fourth.
“It’s amazing,” Langmeier said. “I actually thought Emma was going to get it. The week started out really well because I had my horse in the equitation that I’ve known forever, and then John (Brennan) was so nice to let me ride his two hunters. It’s such a prestigious horse show, and it’s an anniversary year, which makes it even more special.”
The Overall Large Junior Hunter Championship was awarded to Teddy Vlock and Grey Street, who also earned the championship in the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division.
Vlock, who only began riding four years ago, said Grey Street was his first junior hunter. Over the course of a year, the duo went from being unable to claim even a reserve championship to being crowned circuit champions at WEF and winning at Devon.
“He’s a horse of a lifetime for me,” Vlock said. “Not only is he a famous horse, but he’s also helped me get some exposure. I’m really grateful to him. My other horses are actually easier for me to find the jumps on, but I just have such a good connection with him at this point that I ride him better. The more rounds I get with him, the better it gets. He’s been awesome all year. He’s number one in the country right now.”
The reserve championship in the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division went to Hunter Siebel and Pure Abundance.
In the Large Junior Hunter 15 and Under division, Kaitlyn Williams and Rockette earned enough points to come away with the championship. McKayla Langmeier and Levland were awarded the reserve championship honors.
The Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under championship went to Emma Kurtz and Evermore, while the reserve championship was earned by McKayla Langmeier and Maraschino.
In the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division, the championship was claimed by Hunter Siebel and Krave, with Bergen Sanderford and Perspective picking up the reserve championship.
Augusta Iwasaki and Kingston Earn Devon Grand Hunter Pony Championship
The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair added several more champions to its historic list of victors on Saturday. With Junior Weekend winding down, many young and hopeful riders awaited to hear final results announced in the Gold Ring. However, only one was crowned the Devon Grand Hunter Pony Champion and that was Augusta Iwasaki.
The 12-year-old rider and her 13-year-old mount, Kingston, had a triumphant weekend in the Large Pony Hunter division. Over the course of two days, Iwasaki secured three first place ribbons to lock in the Large Pony Hunter Championship and the overall Grand Hunter Pony Championship.
“He’s perfect,” Iwasaki said about Kingston. “He’s amazing. He takes some leg, but not a lot of it. Other than that, he’s perfect. It felt really good to win the Grand Champion at Devon. It’s my favorite horse show.”
Liz Reilly, who assumes the role of mother and trainer, shed some light on her daughter’s training. “They work on being straight,” she commented. “Other than that, she takes lessons with the big kids. They could jump the horse jumps, take the horse strides. We don’t do pony lessons. Kingston is a ‘freak-a-zoid’ of a pony. He’s very special.”
Also celebrating victories in the Gold Ring was the Gochman family. Sisters, Mimi and Sophie Gochman, secured multiple tricolor ribbons on Saturday.
The reserve championship title in the Large Pony Hunter division went to the older of the two siblings, Mimi Gochman, who also earned the reserve honors in the Medium Pony Hunter division.
“Devon is one of the best shows,” Mimi expressed. “It’s one of my favorites, for sure. I love Devon. Being reserve at Devon is a big honor, because it’s hard to qualify, hard to do well and even harder to get reserve.”
Sharing her sentiments about Devon was Mimi’s younger sister, Sophie, who rode away with the champion and reserve champion recognition in the Small Pony Hunter division.
“This is one of my favorite shows,” Sophie said. “It’s such a privilege to be here and to qualify. I love the fair. I love showing here. It’s such a great atmosphere. I love the crowds.”
Sophie posed with Bit of Love for the championship presentation photo, before running out of the ring and swapping ponies for the reserve championship photo op with Love Me Tender. Between the two ponies, Sophie rode away with five blue ribbons.
“Bit of Love is a little bit more round,” Sophie said, while comparing her ponies. “His stride is a bit bouncier, while Love Me Tender is really long and low. For Love Me Tender you have to be really soft on her neck, or she gets a little sassy. For Bit of Love, you just have to move very slow and smooth.”
The New York natives train with Scott Stewart and Ken Berkley at River’s Edge Farm, and have been working out of the New Jersey base for about three years.
“I’ve known Scott for a really long time,” Sophie shared. “He knows my quirks. He tells me I have to stay still and calm down. He’s so great and I’ve learned so much since I’ve been with him.”
Grace Debney was crowned champion of the Medium Pony Hunter division. She pulled double duties in the medium pony classes, riding Sportster and Denmark.
“Sportster is kind of slow, but he has an amazing personality,” Debney said about her top-performing pony. “He’s kind of goofy and he’s so sweet. He just wants to do his job right. We’ve been together for a year.”
Proud trainer, Stacey Schaefer, shared her thoughts on the two ponies and how they’ve transformed Debney’s riding. “It was nice that Denmark got to win a class here, because he’s been a rock, and he’s shown her the way. Without him she could never have learned to ride Sporty. Denmark has won the USEF Pony Medal finals a few times – he’s been great. He hasn’t been here for a long time because he hasn’t had that hard of a job. But it was easy for her to get him qualified without going to many horse shows. He’s definitely special.”
The Junior Weekend will come to a close on Sunday with the highlight event being Pony Jumper Championship, and the Adult Jumpers will close out the evening session at the Dixon Oval.
Emma Kurtz Takes Back-to-Back Equitation Wins with Clearway
Lexington, Ky. – May 13, 2016 – Eve Jobs and Quickley 3 had a strong debut Friday on day three of the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, besting a field of 31 in the Medium Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumpers in a time of 52.038 seconds. Dana Wille and Olympus were close behind Jobs with a second place finish in 52.104 seconds.
From the start, Jobs made a plan that paid off in time saved.
“We looked at the inside turn from two to three when we walked the course and were a little skeptical about trying it,” said Jobs. “Then the first one went in and was fast and efficient, and it didn’t look too bad, so that was the one turn where I think I made up the most time.”
Quickley 3, an 11-year-old Westphalian gelding, is coming off of a successful winter season, having won the Medium Junior Jumper championships three times at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).
“I’ve had this horse for just over a year,” Jobs explained. “I’ve pretty much kept him in the Medium Junior Jumpers. He’s a really simple ride. He loves to go fast; he’s really careful, he’s catty, he’s quick and he’s been one of my best horses for about a year now.”
Jobs was full of praise for the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, with this being her first time competing at the show.
“This is actually the first time we’ve been here for the Kentucky Spring series,” Jobs said. “I’ve been here in the summer for young riders and in the winter for the National Horse Show. We decided to come here for the spring because we thought it would be a nice preparation for the Devon Horse Show’s junior week. All of the horses have been going great. The weather has been beautiful and I’m really happy we came!”
Jobs plans to compete in the $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix on Sunday and is enthusiastic about the opportunities that the division offers.
“I did the division in Wellington, and I feel my best rounds were in that division,” Jobs explained. “I think it’s a wonderful bridge between the junior and the professional divisions. There are a bunch of kids in it. It’s great competition, and it’s big and technical. I’ve had a lot of success in those classes and I’m really excited that they are having a grand prix here.”
Jobs also took her talents to the equitation ring Friday afternoon, placing third in the WIHS Equitation Hunter Phase.
In the Low Amateur-Owner Jumpers, Madison Dehaven scored a meaningful win aboard Chanel, topping a field of 35 in a time of 33.611 seconds – a full second faster than Anna Dryden and Caprice 463 who took second place in 34.622 seconds.
“I have had her since she was three months old, so she’s kind of special to me,” Dehaven said of the 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare. “I bought her when she was a weanling. I was 15 then and trained her myself and brought her along.”
Careful planning in the course walk also paid off for Dehaven and Chanel.
“Everything kind of went as planned,” said Dehaven. “I walked with Aaron [Vale’s] wife, Mallory, and we came up with our game plan and went out there and rode it pretty much as close to what I wanted to as I could. In the jump-off, I had planned nine down the one line and ended up on a big stride and the eight just came up and was right there so we went with it. That was probably part of the reason we had the time we did. I was really happy with how she went today.”
Similar to Jobs, Dehaven was enthusiastic about the environment at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show.
“I love Kentucky,” said Dehaven. “There’s really no better place to be to show. We spend all winter in Florida and it’s nice to change the venue up. The horses all jump great and go great here. We love being here!”
Emma Kurtz Takes Back-to-Back Equitation Wins with Clearway
Emma Kurtz dominated the Stonelea Ring on Friday at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show with back-to-back equitation wins in the WIHS Equitation Hunter Phase and the ASPCA Maclay on Clearway, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker.
Kurtz and Clearway are coming off of a successful 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) season, after claiming numerous top placings in the equitation ring, but Kurtz has not shown the 10-year-old Warmblood gelding since the circuit ended in April.
Emma Kurtz and Clearway (Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography)
“I’m very excited about today,” said Kurtz. “He hasn’t shown in probably a month and a half. It’s been a long time since these horses have shown, so it’s really nice to come out here and have them be perfect.”
Kurtz piloted Clearway, who previously had a famously decorated equitation career with Tori Colvin, past 24 horse and rider combinations in the WIHS Equitation Hunter Phase and 22 in the ASPCA Maclay to take the two blue ribbons.
“It’s big shoes to fill for sure, but he’s an amazing horse and I love him,” said Kurtz.
The pair impressed the judges in the ASPCA Maclay on Friday with a smooth and effortless round, navigating an in-and-out combination to a bending line as well as rollbacks and a brush fence.
“Since it was in a hunter ring, it was like a hunter-y kind of course but it was really nice,” said Kurtz. “The bending was just a normal eight off the turn, and then just the two straight lines and the in-and-out. It wasn’t too challenging so that was nice, especially coming off of the Winter Equestrian Festival [WEF].”
Out of the 22 original entries, 11 were called back to show on the flat.
Kurtz’s equitation once again stood out as the judges challenged the riders to demonstrate a working canter, a half turn and reverse at the sitting trot, a lengthening of stride at the trot and a working walk.
Finishing in second in the ASPCA Maclay behind Kurtz was Emma Wujek and Isle of Wight, owned by Castlewood Farm, Inc. of Wellington, Florida.
“Today’s course wasn’t too technical,” said Wujek. “This was like a nice hunter equitation course. My horse was awesome. He’s a young one. We just got him this past WEF and he’s come so far. He’s gotten so much stronger. He’s a great horse.”
Rounding out the top three was Lauren Brown and Cashmann, owned by Angela Brown.
Sunday is “Derby Day” with the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby and the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby taking place.
EQSportsNet will stream live webcasts of the $130,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI3* on Saturday as well as the $130,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI3* during the Kentucky Spring Classic on Saturday, May 21. EQSportsNet Full Access subscribers can also watch all rounds of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows series on demand at www.eqsports.net.
For more information on Kentucky Horse Shows LLC and the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.
Media Contact: Rebecca Walton
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386 PhelpsMediaGroup.com
