Trophies and ribbons are nice, but the World Equestrian Center’s Premier Equitation Cup Championship powered by Gary Yeomans Ford offers a whole lot more–an SUV for the winner and $40,000 for the winning trainer.
That new Ford Explorer XLT is being driven by Kate Egan of Glen Gardner, N.J., after she topped a field of 100 in the Ocala competition. Her trainer, Emil Spadone, who worked with Luke Olsen, Ashley DiBongrazio Pankow and Cassandra Kahle, also received $40,000 of the $100,000 purse that was split among the trainers of other leading finishers over the Bobby Murphy-designed courses.
Kate Egan and Ypaja Kashmir. (Andrew Ryback photo)
The final test involved Kate, Carlee McCutcheon, Jordan Gibbs and Ellie Aronson putting in one more round.
“When I walked the second round, the technicality increased a good bit from the first, but I didn’t let it get to my head,” said Kate, who was tenth in the 2022 ASPCA Maclay finals .
“I knew I was able to do it. I made a set plan and came up with alternatives in case something happened. I don’t remember much of the round now, but I do remember feeling incredible. I think that was the best I’ve ever competed,” continued Kate, who rode Redfield Farm’s Ypaja Kashmir.
“The work-off was very hard, and I was with three other amazing riders,” added Kate, who will be attending Texas A&M later this year.
“I wanted to take everything into consideration before I made my plan. I watched the other girls go, and knew I had to produce a good round to stay on top.”
Emil, whose Redfield Farm is based in Tewksbury, N.J., observed about the newest equitation championship, “I think all of the riders did an incredible job. I really feel like this class has developed into an important championship like the [Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final] and Maclay Finals. It is a class that we all look forward to, and to have such a prize for the kids and the trainers – it’s incredibly generous.”