With a mix of cavaletti exercises and sound instruction while working through a rainstorm, German Olympic medalist Ingrid Klimke offered a multi-dimensional Masterclass as a highlight during the fiftieth anniversary of Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon.
The Thursday evening session, presented by Capital Square, was punctuated by a fierce downpour. Despite being drenched, Ingrid ignored it and continued teaching, as thousands of spectators stayed dry watching from the covered grandstands at the showgrounds in Pennsylvania.
In addition to being a dressage star, Ingrid is a world-class eventer, and as we all know, eventers ignore the weather while pursuing their goals.
She was totally soaked when she arrived at the after-class reception, where she was brought a warm shawl and went right to work greeting people.
When I asked Ingrid what she had hoped to convey during the class, she said, “That we as a rider are responsible for giving the right questions so the horse can give the right answers. We must be very patient and really step-by-step build them up, trying to have the poll the highest point, the nose in front of the vertical and make it very simple for the horse.”
Ingrid, who is also a show jumper, emphasized that “the riders (both eventers and dressage competitors) were so good from their position (to) the way they gave the aids. It was superb and the horses so lovely.”
The trainer had a good, encouraging connection with each of the riders, who came to the ring in pairs, enabling one to take a little break while she worked with the other.
Her connection extended to the spectators as well; she took note that “the audience was clapping all the time, so they realized we were really on a good way. I think even with the rain they kept listening and enjoying it.”
Silva Martin, who earlier in the day won the four-year-old dressage test with Valballa and the seven-year-old final with Farouche, was aboard Zaphir for her masterclass ride, where she was paired with JJ Tate.
Always the horsewoman, Ingrid noted the left hind wrap on JJ’s horse had come loose, so she bent down and removed it. When the same thing happened with the right one, she did it again.
“I don’t want any accidents here,” she explained to the audience.
Chatting afterwards, Silva noted that like Ingrid, she was raised in Germany, “where all the people I worked with (emphasized)` basics, basics, basics’ and that was exactly what she was trying to get across.”
Ingrid Klimke keeps an eye on Silva Martin during the Masterclass.
She picked up a good tip from Ingrid for the pirouettes, where Zaphir “always wants to lean to the left a little bit with his haunches. Silva said Ingrid told her, “`just keep turning the shoulders’ and that really made a big difference.”
Ingrid, the daughter of dressage legend Reiner Klimke (who was also an Olympic eventer), was named by the FEI as “Best Athlete of the Decade.”
She really demonstrated the link between dressage and good riding over cavaletti. Eventers Hannah Sue Hollberg and Isabelle Bosley took their horses over several different configurations, including a bending line of four cavaletti in an exercise that encouraged the horses to bend and flex.
Hannah Sue Hollberg over the cavaletti as Ingrid Klimke instructs.
After the jumping, Ingrid asked the riders to trot their horses on a loose rein so they could stretch and lengthen their necks.
Another dressage pair, Lauren Chumley and Shannon Stevens, focused on pirouettes and flying changes. Noting that Shannon’s horse needed encouragement in the second part of his pirouette, Ingrid advised that she should refresh with her seat and aids at that point. When he added some passage in his collected canter on the way to a lead change and Shannon patted him, Ingrid said, “don’t pet him, please, because he gave the wrong answer.”
Shannon Stevens picked up pointers during her ride in the Masterclass.
Anne Moss, president of Dressage at Devon, noted that Ingrid had worked individually with the riders the day before the class and presented “really helpful intuitive, suggestions of how to improve those horses.”
As she recounted her impression of the class, Anne (a dressage competitor herself) said, “I loved how she was encouraging the riders to ride more forward with softer hands and to put more forward-thinking of flying changes and to continue to rebalance and support the horse through the pirouette work. It was really quite beautiful.”
Fifty-one years ago, a poster for the Suburban Essex Riding Club’s Holiday Show in New Jersey proudly proclaimed it was an American Horse Shows Association local member, with a “polo-sized indoor riding hall.”
Those were the days when indoor rings were rare, and even a local show could be considered a special occasion — especially since very few riders took their horses south for the winter.
In the years since, it seems as if everything has changed; even the AHSA has morphed into the U.S. Equestrian Federation. The stable in West Orange, where thousands of people had taken riding lessons and rode in horse shows over the decades, was well past its glory days when it closed in 2022 and was put up for sale. The framed Holiday Show poster lingered forlorn among other bric-a-brac and memories in a dusty room; the horses were long gone.
Located in a residential area and zoned for housing, the stable’s future seemed dim, even though so many had loved it during a history that stretched back for a century or so.
A plan for the township to buy the stable with open space funds and lease it to the Bergen Equestrian Center failed to get support.
Then Manhattan residents Romain Marteau, a real estate developer, and his wife, show jumper/trainer Brianne Goutal Marteau, decided to purchase the property.
“I was very excited about the prospect of being this close to New York City,” said Brianne. Without traffic, it’s a 20-minute drive from the Lincoln Tunnel, and access also is available by train to the Orange station, a five-minute Uber trip.
Brianne knew of the stable while growing up in the city, explaining that in those days, urban youngsters who were interested in riding generally started at either Suburban Essex or Riverdale (in the Bronx).
Brianne was a Riverdale rider before becoming a national equitation champion, so she was excited to finally visit West Orange. But when she arrived, her reaction was far from positive as she examined the aged facility.
“Had it not been for the proximity to New York, I would have looked at him (Romain) and told him he was crazy,” she recounted, then added with a smile, “I think I did, actually.”
Her feeling soon changed.
“When we got to work, once we started kind of envisioning how the whole place could look with a lot of imagination, we were very excited right away.”
As Romain explained their thought process, the question that had to be answered was, “Can we bring it to the level that we think it should be, and also be a practical enterprise, because otherwise, it is not sustainable.
“We need to make money. When you can combine those, restoring a historic facility and bringing a business sense to it, I think it’s a win/win for everybody.”
The stable is what is known as a bank barn, on two levels, like a famous one of the same era built in Gladstone, N.J., by James Cox Brady that now houses the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation.
During its most recent previous iteration, the stable was owned for more than 20 years by Larry Hall, who saw it as “an institution that just needed to continue because it can never be replaced.”
The resident of nearby Verona took over the stable with his daughters in mind.
“The goal I had when I bought it was to give my girls a place to grow up that I knew would be a solid foundation for their future,” he recalled.
Once they were grown and long gone, however, it was time to sell. Remembering the people who used to come in wheelchairs for a last look at the stable where they rode years ago, Larry felt a responsibility.
“How special is this, that this is a place that has those kind of memories?” he asked.
So Larry wanted it to remain a stable.The odds were against finding the right buyer, however. Although Larry never advertised the place, he had two solid offers that would have paid him significantly more than what he got, but revealed, “My heart wasn’t there.”
Then “a white knight” came along, something Larry didn’t think could happen even “in my wildest dreams.”
Romain made him an offer and Larry said, “I’ll take it if you continue to make it a barn and raise your family here, like I did.”
Of Romain, Larry said, “he exceeded, even my greatest of dreams, in what he’s accomplished. It’s amazing.”
The multi-million dollar project, nestled into suburbia, has been crafted thoughtfully with enormous effort into a beautiful state-of-the-art venue, complete with paddocks and an outdoor ring. It goes without saying that the footing is top-flight.
Contractor John Rose called it “a very challenging project because of the location of the property, but we really appreciated the folks in the building department at West Orange helping us navigate through some challenges with zoning and modern issues in a 100-year-old barn.
John said he appreciated being able to do the work.
“It was an absolute honor to be involved in such an iconic New Jersey horse property. Everyone I know in North Jersey has a story about riding at that barn.
“We had to renovate and update the barn within the existing physical structure. To adhere to the rules in New Jersey, we could not alter the footprint of the building in any way. That made renovating the interior a challenge, because the building is made of block and steel.”
John, who had remodeled the stalls at the USET Foundation barn, said the workers who assembled to do the West Orange job comprise “a team I would take anywhere to renovate a barn.”
The facility is now called Montclair Stables, going back to its original name which references an adjacent township.
The building’s historic touches are carefully preserved. Care has been taken with its dramatic frescoes, including one atop the front of the building that depicts a galloping herd. Another by the wash stalls is an artful rendition of a horse jumping a faux brick wall.
“What I love the most is the marriage between the whole traditional historic part of it and the new modern, amazing footing, high level technology. Everything is brand new,” Brianne observed.
“At the same time, we tried to keep as much of the history and tradition alive in the barn. The aesthetic part is all new but the bones are totally original.”
They include the original pavers for the aisle floors, which offer an antique touch below the walls of pale treated pine wood that keep the interior bright.
Wash stalls are spacious, tack rooms offer a practical setting to store saddles and bridles, and rest rooms abound. The indoor arena is heated in winter and cool in summer because small windows were replaced with garage doors, allowing for more ventilation.
“This facility was a lesson barn. We’ve made it into a private training facility for us and our clients,” said Romain, noting he and his wife have had interest from people from New York City and elsewhere who would like to board there.
Brianne is the main trainer, but the stable operates with multiple assistant trainers that she supervises. She travels a good deal, so assistant Jamie Stryker, who lives in Bedminster, N .J., is in residence year-round.
Like Brianne, “When we first walked through the property, I was a little bit skeptical,” Jamie reported.
“Then Romain said, `Don’t worry.’ We watched it go through demo (demolition) and then we watched construction start and I kind of stopped worrying, because I realized it’s going to be a really good product. The quality that went into this stable is exceptional.”
Discussing the stable’s offerings, Romain said, “We have a secondary program for riders who are serious about their training but prefer to stay local and regional, rather than traveling to Florida and the big national shows.”
A third program offers ponies “to open doors for children interested in exploring the sport,” Romain continued.
“We think the facility is the perfect place to accommodate all levels of both skill and interest. We’ve partnered with Lauren Gredley/Grey Horse Farm. They have ponies for lease.”
Clara Propp, a student of Brianne’s, saw the stable in its original state and then came out when it was finished and rode her horse, Ingmar, in the outdoor ring.
“I didn’t see any of the work in between,” said Clara,18, who’s focusing on her riding during her gap year before going to Brown University.
“I was so impressed. I just love how it feels so historic while being new, and a really great environment for the horses and the people.”
Clara noted she and Brianne’s other students usually weren’t able to ride much during the late summer and autumn as “horses moved from indoor to indoor” during the fall circuit.
Having access to the stable “will be a huge improvement for us,” said Clara.
“It’s going to allow the horses to relax during the mid- to finals season and allow us to practice, which is really nice.”
“We’re really excited to be here,” Brianne commented.
“It was a little bit of a process over the last two years. But when you end up in a place that looks like this and functions like this, you forget about the time. We’re just very excited to be here and experience the community and the proximity to everything, the shows and the city. It will make our lives a lot easier, that’s for sure.”
How do you build an equestrian city just across the harbor from Manhattan?
It was no small task for the Longines Global Champions Tour of New York, which (despite its name) actually was held at New Jersey’s Liberty State Park this weekend, at a site that was chosen for more than the view.
Jessica Springsteen, Don Juan van de Donkhoeve and the Statue of Liberty.
What is known as “the Green Ring,” normally a blank slate of grass, became a real ring. It was transformed into an arena surrounded by grandstands and VIP areas at the front of the house, which was supported by stabling under the trees, a warm-up area and offices.
The sensational backdrop involved skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty, although that lady missed out on the action because as always, her back was turned to New Jersey
The standing-room-only crowd cheered riders such as Nayel Nassar on Little Magic d’Asschaut competing in the dramatic setting of the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix.
Planning began in November for the show — the fanciest international jumping competition in New Jersey since the National Horse Show was held at the Meadowlands from 1989-1995.
There were 17 or 18 different drafts of the design for the venue. The project was a massive effort under the guidance of GCT’s technical director, Colm McKay. With no water or electrical service, hydrants supplied the former and generators the latter. Having a show at a state facility also meant lots of paperwork and permits.
It took 12 days to create the venue, and Colm’s crew is required to have it taken down in five days.
“Until you do the event one time, you can’t really explain what it’s going to be like,” he said.
Colm McKay, GCT technical director. Note the Statue of Liberty in the background.
“We know there’s room for improvement, but the future looks bright,” noted Colm, who is talking about a long-term commitment to the site.
GCT has shows in many other landmark cities, including Paris (by the Eiffel Tower), London and Prague.
Focusing on New Jersey, Colm already is thinking about improvements for next year, including more seating (everything but standing room was sold out for the grand prix).
Guests in the GC Lounge had a great view of riders jumping a panel showing the George Washington Bridge, as Belgium’s Thibeau Spits did here on Impress-K.
Those connected with the park in Jersey City weren’t familiar with horse sports, so part of Colm’s mission involved telling them what the production involved. Aside from the competition, which also included 2-star classes, there were a number of attractions geared to pleasing the public.
Among them were a variety of other activities and attractions including dog agility, a Harlem gospel choir and classes for kids. (One little pony rider told me she was thrilled to have her photo taken with show jumper Jessica Springsteen, who by the way is a native of New Jersey.)
The competition, which began Thursday, concluded in idyllic weather on the last full day of summer with a 5-star grand prix worth 300,609 Euros ($352,000) that drew riders from Europe, South America and of course, the U.S.
The Belgians had the biggest contingent, with one-quarter of the 40 grand prix starters from the nation that won the European Show Jumping Championships in July.
So it was no surprise that five of the 11 riders who made the jump-off were Belgian, with that nation’s Gilles Thomas winning on Qalista DN in 31.03 seconds. His countryman, Thibeau Philippaerts — whose brothers Olivier and Nicola also were in the class — came in second aboard Pittman V/H Lilleveld in 31.72 seconds. The patriarch of the family is Ludo Philippaerts, a legendary rider in his heyday.
The first round had a tight time allowed of 70 seconds, and designer Bernardo Costa Cabral made that factor count, with five riders having their clean trips over the fences marred by penalties on the clock
Gilles, next-to-last in the tiebreaker, nailed victory with an inspired round in 31.03 seconds aboard a 9-year-old mare, by Emerald van ‘t Ruytershof, that he has had for only a year.
“She does it so easy and is also very quick in the jump-off,” he observed.
I asked Gilles why the Belgian riders are becoming dominant, and he gave me the answer right away.
“I think at the moment we have very good horses in Belgium and now we can keep them a bit longer. Before, we always had to sell them. We have a few very good owners who want to do the sport; also the prize money is getting more and more.”
He noted, “Every good result gives a bit of confidence; if the rider is confident, the horse also gets the confidence.”
It was Gilles’ first trip to New York and, of course, New Jersey (where riders stayed in a Jersey City hotel to be closer to their horses.)
There were fun trips to Manhattan, which impressed Gilles.
“For sure it’s an amazing city. I saw it on television but when you see it in the real, it’s a fantastic city.”
Thibault smiled wearing the second place sash but noted wistfully, “I was very close to a dream. Gilles was there again.”
He was quick to add, “The horse is amazing. I’m so happy for him,” Thibault emphasized about the 10-year-old son of Diamant de Semilly.
Swiss rider Nadja Peter Steiner was overjoyed to be third in 32.69 with Nice van’t Zorgvliet, a 12-year-old Belgian mare by Emerald who wasn’t being used as part of the Belgian tidal wave.
“To come here was an honor,” said the rider, adding, “it’s a real special show with an atmosphere that was amazing. We never see something like this in Europe.”
Nadja gave a big hug to Nice when she finished her round. The mare was ridden by Olympic individual gold medalist Christian Kukuk until the end of June, 2024.
While she noted, “all my horses are really special,” she added, “Nice is such a fighter. She gives all of her heart each time you go in the ring.”
The U.S. contingent was thin on big names, what with the Gold Cup being contested in Michigan and the Longines League of Nations in St. Tropez, France. Natalie Dean was the only American to qualify for the tiebreaker; she finished eighth with 4 faults on Crescendo MB Z.
The affection is well-deserved He got a grateful kiss from her after a fault-free first round in the $200,000 Blue Diamond Cup Grand Prix. Then there was another heartfelt smooch after his victorious trip in the jump-off Saturday at Old Salem Farm.
“He’s a horse I really believed in from the second I sat on him as an eight-year-old,” she said of Origa V/H Zuid-Pajottenland. (Whatever happened to names like Big Ben and Gem Twist?)
The 11-year-old Belgian warmblood gelding was out for a year after fracturing a hip in a freak accident when he slipped at home, so Adrienne had a bit of a hiatus in her big time competition results until he won a 5-star a month ago in Ottawa.
“I’m so emotionally proud of him, how he’s come back. I’ve always said it was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had on a horse and to see him really get his time in the spotlight means a lot to me,” said Adrienne, a member of the U.S. gold medal team at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games.
“Whenever you go through those ups and downs with a horse, it’s always an emotional journey and it’s so rewarding to be on the other side of it.”
The winner is by Thunder VD Zuuthoeve, who was the sire of McLain Ward’s FEI World Cup Finals-winning horse, HH Azur. Interestingly, also on Saturday, but in Traverse City, Mich., Karl Cook topped a Winning Round class with Kalinka van’t Zorgvliet, who claims the same sire. And she was doing only her second grand prix in 18 months because she fractured her hip in the spring of 2024. Talk about an odd coincidence!
Origa was previously ridden by Jonna Ekberg of Sweden, but came to Adrienne through her good friend Irish show jumper Bertram Allen.
“I was gnawing at him to let me come try him,” she recounted.
With the horse’s heritage, not surprisingly he has real character and ability, as exhibited in a five-horse jump-off after a field of 32 competitors from 14 countries was narrowed by the well-produced Blue Diamond Cup course from designers Alan Wade and Paul Jewell.
Adrienne’s major competition came from Marilyn Little on the fleet Mecklenberg mare, La Contessa, and Molly Ashe Cawley on Quimi del Maset, a Spanish gelding. But Adrienne enjoyed a benefit by going last, and she took advantage of it.
Molly set the pace in 40.50 seconds and then Marilyn, winner of Thursday’s Welcome Stake, quickly bettered the time to beat in 39.85 seconds.
Adrienne was faster between the first two fences than Marilyn, and made a great turn that brought her home in 39.11 seconds to take the 4-star crown. She attributed the win to her horse’s “stride and his bravery.”
She noted, “I really trusted my horse because he’s so game and has so much scope. I knew that if I did it right and gave him a good chance, he would fight for me.”
During her showing lull between August 2024 and January of this year, Adrienne focused on learning and benefited from polishing her skills with experts. Click on the video link to have her tell you who she worked with and what she did.
The weather in Westchester County, N.Y., was picture-perfect for the class; the rain didn’t start falling until the last notes of the Star-Spangled Banner following the presentation. Old Salem is a lovely setting for a show, and that is especially so in September. It feels special to be there with view of the the stable overlooking the ring and people watching from the grass hillside. The show is a must stop for Adrienne.
“It’s close to home for me. It was able to work well with my schedule. i can still pay attention to my horses at home and ride at home in the morning and sleep in my own bed in New York City. “That makes Old Salem a special place for me,” noted Adrienne, who has a farm in Greenwich, Conn., near Old Salem.
She fits in riding with a busy schedule that include a new blog, Show and Tell, which she started with her friends, Lucy Deslauriers and Alessandra Volpi, who also travel the show circuit and need to find places that will feed, exercise and soothe them.
“I almost annoyingly look for good coffee. I look for good restaurants, workout places, yoga is a big part of my not just fitness routine, but mental health. I find it really difficult when you’re in these random cities knowing where to go,” said Adrienne.
So the riders made it a project.
“We said,`Why not do it together? We have a lot of big ideas for our little blog and we’re very excited to see what we can do with it. We want to share all the great places we get to go and learn along the way. And it’s so fun to do it with friends.”
It’s been more than three years since dressage rider Michael Barisone was found not guilty by reason of insanity on a charge of second-degree attempted murder, and bit by bit, he is regaining some autonomy.
At his eighth Krol hearing Tuesday, the 2008 U.S. Olympic team alternate got permission for a little more latitude in his movements, with judge Stephen Taylor allowing him to drive from his Florida farm to New Jersey as needed so he can retrieve belongings from his former home state. Previously, he was required to fly to New Jersey for the Krol hearings.
They are held to evaluate the progress of a criminal defendant who has been confined to a psychiatric institution following a verdict like the one delivered for Barisone in April 2022. The next hearing is scheduled for February.
Barisone was charged in the 2019 shooting of Lauren Kanarek, a tenant at his former farm in Long Valley, N.J., farm who also trained there. He said he doesn’t remember the incident, which left Kanarek hospitalized with two bullets in her chest. The shooting occurred during a confrontation with Kanarek and her boyfriend, Rob Goodwin, who had been at odds with their landlord.
During Barisone’s trial, his lawyer, Edward Bilinkas, asked Kanarek whether she was bent on destroying his client and threatening everything he held dear. She replied, “at some point, yes.”
As was the case during the last Krol hearing seven months ago in the Morris County, N.J., Courthouse, Taylor listened to testimony from clinical psychologist Dr. David Landry, who usually sees Barisone on a weekly basis in Florida.
In response to a question from Morris County Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn, Landry said on a Zoom call aired in the Morristown courtroom that in his opinion, Barisone has no signs of any active mental diseases or disorder.
Asked by Schellhorn whether he discussed the shooting, referred to as the “index event,” with Barisone, Landry said they talked about “his lack of memory of the event and what that means for his having to internalize and accept these events as occurring, and where we go from here, knowing that this has occurred…and what his plans are in moving forward.”
Landry said Barisone, 61, spends much of his time working around his farm in Loxahatchee, Fla., and keeps “a low profile.”
As a result of the shooting incident, Barisone is under an interim suspension from the U.S. Center for SafeSport, which means he can’t take part in any U.S. Equestrian Federation sanctioned competitions, or even be on showgrounds. That sanction remains in place pending the outcome of an investigation or final decision.
Michael Barisone riding at his former farm in Long Valley.
Landry characterized the SafeSport situation as a “stressor,” in Barisone’s life, noting that is “pretty typical in these circumstances.”
In treatment, doctor and patient talk abut all possible outcomes. Landry said they “develop plans around that. He seems to be okay with whatever happens and has a plan in the event any outcome would occur.”
In an interview after the hearing, Barisone said, “I’ve been doing everything exactly as I’m supposed to do. I’ve abided by every single rule.”
Speaking about the judge’s decision, he observed, “At least now I can start finishing moving my stuff out of New Jersey and really get the place in Florida (to be) home. So I think at this point, this process happened just like it’s supposed to, like it’s written in the law.
“The doctors all say, `He recovered from what happened to him’ and I’ve been given pretty much freedom to be about as normal as I can.”
When he returns to Florida, he hopes to start riding after a break to deal with legal matters.
Barisone riding in Florida earlier this year.
But there also are other legal matters with which is involved.
In July, Barisone sued the USEF. Those legal papers state that on Aug. 1, 2019,, he had phoned Sonja Keating, the federation’s chief operating officer and general counsel, saying he was “in a life and death situation due to the malevolent and dangerously unpredictable conduct of Kanarek and Goodwin,” and that he feared for his life.
The lawsuit noted Keating offered no assistance and suggested he call the police. Barisone told Keating the police refused to help. According to the lawsuit, Keating never mentioned the Center for SafeSport, nor did she say she would refer the matter to the Center. The lawsuit stated she was obligated to refer the matter to SafeSport, which she did not do.
On August 7, 2019, the shooting took place.
The lawsuit also noted that Murray Kessler, who was USEF’s president at the time, did not return Barisone’s phone calls about his situation.
The lawsuit contends that USEF “breached its fiduciary obligations to the Plaintiff in that it did not exercise its duty of care and protect the Plaintiff from the actions of Kanarek and Goodwin,” and as a result, Barisone was damaged.
He is seeking compensatory and punitive damages from USEF.
Asked for a comment on the lawsuit, a USEF spokesperson said the federation does not comment on matters in litigation. Attorney Steven Tarshis, who filed the lawsuit, said USEF attorneys had requested an extension until the end of September to respond.
In February, Barisone sued Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital, where he was a patient for more than a year in 2022 and part of 2023 before the judge allowed him to live in a private home later that year.
The way he was treated at the hospital led to “emotional harm, pain, damage and suffering, among other injuries,” according to the lawsuit filed by attorney Christopher Deininger, which alleges medical malpractice.
A motion by the hospital to dismiss the action was denied by a judge, but the hospital has filed another such motion that has yet to be ruled on.
If I had asked you to guess on Sunday morning which U.S. competitor would be second in the world’s richest grand prix at the Spruce Meadows Masters during the afternoon, you might have guessed Lillie Keenan, who has been rolling out double-clear trips in Nations Cups this season, or Aaron Vale, winner of two grands prix last spring.
The odds are you wouldn’t have mentioned Kyle King, a 50-year-old journeyman rider who is number 144 on the Longines ranking list.
But he made a big statement in the $5 million (Canadian) CPKC International in Calgary, Canada, with a 10-year-old Zangersheide, Kayenne Z, a mare he has been riding for just seven months who also was second in the Queen Elizabeth Cup earlier this summer during Spruce Meadows’ golden anniversary year.
Kyle finished the incredibly testing CPKC class as runner-up to Great Britain’s Scott Brash, the only person ever to have won the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.
It was also Scott’s third victory in the grand prix presented by Rolex, which was not just the richest class of 2025, but the most valuable ever held in the sport. The purse, $3.6 million in U.S. dollars, was worth $1,192,000 (U.S.) for the victor, who said he was “shocked and surprised and delighted” at his triumph aboard Hello Jefferson.
“I’m absolutely delighted for my horse. More than anything, he deserves a title under his belt,” said Scott.
“He’s been such a good horse for so many years and we’ve had ups and downs, but he has been a fantastic horse. So I think it’s great finally being able to get a title under his name.”
Leopoldo Palacios, the perennial course designer for the class, headed a team that put together one of the most challenging routes seen anywhere.
“You never know what this man’s going to build,” Scott observed.
“I was kind of in shock all the way around when I walked it,” Kyle said.
Laura Kraut, who had been double clear in the Nations Cup Friday aboard Tres Bien Z to help the U.S. to third place, decided after walking the grand prix course not to compete on the still-developing 10-year-old mare because she “didn’t want to bite off more than she could chew with a super horse,” according to U.S. Coach Robert Ridland.
Evidence of the difficulty quotient was the fact that the glittering field of 36 riders did not include anyone who was fault-free in all three rounds. After the top 12 from the original group of starters competed in the second round, the two best — Scott and Kyle — were tied for the lead on 4 penalties each, with the tight time allowed in both rounds having been a huge factor in that result. Even Leopoldo was surprised that he had no double clears for a tie-breaker, but he acknowledged he knew it might have to happen at some point in his career.
The two leaders jumped off over a new course of seven fences, with a time allowed of 48 seconds. Scott was fault-free in 46.97 seconds, so Kyle knew he not only had to go clear, but also beat the time of a gold medal Olympian who had already won the class twice in his career.
It was all going according to plan when Kayenne ticked the jump composed of planks that formed a Canadian flag, and Kyle was penalized for the knockdown. He finished faster than Scott in 46.09 seconds, so his plan almost worked — except for the 4-fault toll it took.
Kyle and Kayenne at the infamous Canadian flag plank jump.
“The mare’s pretty green. I don’t have much control up there,” said Kyle.
“I would do it the same again. I thought I had it just right and I thought the planks showed up probably better than anything else. When I heard them fall I was like `Oh.’ I was surprised that I actually still did beat his (Scott’s) time. I’m just getting to know that mare, she is actually fairly quick. She covers the ground really well. I’m really proud of the way it all worked out,” he emphasized.
“This has always been one of my biggest dreams…to win this grand prix. To be that close was incredible.”
Third place went to Olympic multi-medalist Steve Guerdat of Switzerland, who made it through the difficult double of liverpools in the second round, only to have a rail at the iconic Dutch bicycle fence (as did Kyle and four others). Just a time fault with Venard de Cerisy kept him out of the jump-off. His countryman, Martin Fuchs, was not as lucky aboard Leone Jei, however.
The defending champion in the class, Martin was embarking on the Rolex Grand Slam trail after winning the Rolex grand prix at Aachen in July. To win the Grand Slam, a rider must take three of the four competitions (the others are the Dutch Masters and Geneva) in a row. But Martin’s quest ended at the first fence in the second round, when his grey gelding took off a stride early and tumbled to the ground. Both horse and rider walked away from the accident.
Coach Robert Ridland has known Kyle a long time around the California circuit.
He said Kyle has never been on one of his teams, but noted, “he’s a terrific rider, always has been.” However, he mentioned Kyle never had a horse who was “a legitimate contender.”
Now that he has a horse who is “the real deal,” Robert commented, “I can’t wait to have him on a team He would be a huge asset.”
But Robert better move fast.
Kyle, who has been coming to Calgary his whole life, rides out of Rocky Mountain Sport Horses south of Calgary.
“I’m a permanent resident now of Canada and pretty close to getting my citizenship and possibly riding for Canada. I’m in the works of doing that at the moment. And then I had the Canadian planks down,” he said ruefully.
Kyle King was overjoyed with his finish in the world’s richest grand prix.
“Canada and Spruce Meadows is my one way to ride against this caliber of people in my life. I’ve never shown in Europe. But Europe comes to Calgary once a year and I feel a special connection to Spruce Meadows. I thought I was going to win it today. I thought destiny was going to happen. But to me it was a win, so I’ll take it.”
Click here for results (the time for the jump-off is not in the results, but it is in the story above)
