by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 9, 2024
The final day of Grand Prix competition at the Hagen, Germany, 3-star dressage show Sunday on Friday kept multi-Olympic veteran Steffen Peters on Suppenkasper ahead of the other U.S. riders in competition for a place on the team for the Paris Games this summer, but he was behind the winner of the Special, Henri Ruoste of Finland on Tiffany’s Diamond (74.894 percent).
Steffen and Suppenkasper earned 72.660 percent to be second, leading the U.S. contingent. Second-best of that group was Ashley Holzer on Hansel (72 percent) in fourth place. She was not among the top eight in the rankings on the official U.S. trip to Europe, but made the journey anyway as American competitors vied for Olympic selection.
Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper in Hagen.
Steffen had been at the head of the U.S. Olympic rankings since last year. On the new FEI global ranking list, Steffen is the highest listed U.S. rider, in thirty-second place. Suppenkasper is thirty-third on the horse ranking list. In the Olympics, the Special counts for the team medal; the freestyle determines individual medals.
Adrienne Lyle, who topped the U.S. placings after Helix finished third in the first part of the class on Thursday with 71.956, was fifth in the Special with 71.979 percent. She finished just ahead of Marcus Orlob on Jane, scoring a personal best in sixth, marked at 71.936 percent.
Marcus Orlob and Jane.
Marcus took over the ride on Jane from the mare’s owner, Alice Tarjan, only during the winter. He spent more time in Germany before Hagen than the other U.S. riders so he could get to know Jane better. A native of Germany, Marcus is a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Endel Ots and Zen Elite’s Bohemian dropped in the placings to eighth with 71.745 percent. Helix, Adrienne’s ride, is also owned by the Zen Elite Equestrian Center of Florida.
Nanna Skodborg Merrald of Denmark, who had won the Grand Prix on Thursday with Blue Hors Zepter, did not ride that horse in the Special. She won the Freestyle Saturday with Blue Hors Znickers (79.975), with Kasey Perry-Glass of the U.S. second on Heartbeat W.P. (75.280).
To review the rest of the placings, click here for Grand Prix Special results.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 6, 2024
The second day of Grand Prix competition at the Hagen, Germany, 3-star dressage show on Friday kept multi-Olympic veteran Steffen Peters ahead of the other U.S. riders in competition for a place on the team for the Paris Games this summer.
Steffen and Suppenkasper earned 72.869 percent to be third, but could not overtake the previous day’s leaders, Denmark’s Nanna Skodborg Merrald on the consistent Blue Hors Zepter (78.739) and World Cup champion Patrik Kittel of Sweden (Jovian/74.783).
Steffen had been at the head of the U.S. Olympic rankings since last year. On the new FEI global ranking list, Steffen is the highest listed U.S. rider, in thirty-second place. Suppenkasper is thirty-third on the horse ranking list.
Adrienne Lyle, who topped the U.S. placings after Helix finished third in the first part of the class on Thursday with 71.956, moved down to fifth behind Henri Ruoste of Finland (Tiffany’s Diamond/72.239) as the class wrapped up.
Anna Buffini, Steffen’s fellow Californian, was seventh with Fiontini, marked at 71.783 percent. She is behind Endel Ots on Zen’s Bohemian, sixth with 71.891. Anna and Steffen were the only Americans competing on the second day of the class.
Adrienne was pleased with her ride on Helix.
“I was very happy with Helix and how he handled the big stadium environment,” she said.
Adrienne Lyle and Helix. (File photo by Susan J. Stickle)
“My goal for him was a relaxed, confidence-building ride today.”
Adrienne also competed on Lars van der Hoenderheide, but withdrew after a mistake in the two-tempis.
“I chose to retire Lars because something in his body felt uncomfortable today when I went into the ring. The signs he was giving me may have been subtle for the observer, but I could tell something wasn’t right in his body, so I chose to retire,” explained Adrienne, who always puts the welfare of her horses first and is sensitive to how they are reacting.
“Our partnership is still very new and I want to be sure he always trusts me and that I don’t push him if he isn’t feeling right. I am very fortunate to have an owner and trainer who think this same way and were fully supportive of the decision.”
Adrienne, whose mentor is former U.S. dressage star Debbie McDonald, began riding Lars and Helix this year for owner Heidi Humphries of Zen Elite Equestrian Center in Florida. Heidi also owns Zen Elite’s Bohemian. That horse was ridden to fourth place in the Tokyo Olympics by Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour of Denmark.
Others among the eight U.S. riders who made the cut for the European tour and rode in Hagen included Katherine Bateson Chandler, who ended up eleventh on Haute Couture (70.764), Marcus Orlob, fifteenth with Jane (69.957) and Pan American Games medalist Anna Marek (Fire Fly, seventeenth, 69.848). Ashley Holzer did not make the cut for the top eight named for the tour after being tenth in the rankings, but came to Europe anyway and rode Hansel to eighth place (71.456)
click here for final Grand Prix results
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 2, 2024
The Essex Horse Trials has a special character. It’s not just the fact that it’s held at two unique venues, it also has great footing and as an added attraction, a car show. Really. There’s nothing else quite like it.
When Sara Kozumplik saw that upper-level entries were a little light at the event this weekend, she knew what she had to do.
“I love this event and want to support it,” said the Virginia and Florida-based trainer, explaining why she brought 19-year-old Rubens D’ysieux to the New Jersey event.
As those who knew the history of Rubens D’ysieux might have expected, the Selle Francais demonstrated his usual prowess by taking the featured Open Intermediate title convincingly. He finished ahead of eight other starters in dressage with 28.9 penalties; then aced the show jumping and larked around the cross-country course designed by Morgan Rowsell without adding anything to his score.
Sara had been second to Boyd Martin and Miss Lulu Herself two weeks earlier in the $50,000 Arena Eventing at the Devon Horse Show, a competition Rubens won twice before.
Sara wondered if going cross-country at Essex would mean too many jumps in a short period of time, and was ready to withdraw if her mount didn’t feel right, but Rubens was up for it.
He isn’t doing any more international competitions, having completed his last 4-star in April. But the Intermediate provided a nice opportunity for him to show off what he does best.
Open Intermediate winner Sara Kozumplik and Rubens D’ysieux. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“The horse likes to do stuff like this. This kind of thing, he kind of lives for it,” Sara said, comparing it to “a nice cross-country school.”
Her enthusiasm for Essex was shared by riders in all 10 divisions offered.
Lillian Heard Wood, second in the Intermediate with the Irish import Dassett Olympus, was glad she came.
“The tracks were amazing, and I think they really were developed to give the horses confidence,” she said.
Lilllian Heard Wood on Dassett Olympus in the dressage phase. (Photo © 2024 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Her husband, Ryan Wood, had said she couldn’t move Dasett Olympus up to the Advanced level until she was able to go at the Intermediate speed, and that’s what she did.
“I didn’t quite make the time, but I went fast and it felt really good,” said Lillian.
Ryan wasn’t able to attend this weekend, but Lillian said, “I’ve been reporting back how wonderful it’s been here, so hopefully next year.”
Lillian, who won the Open Preliminary with another Irish horse, Bellines Quality Lady, (also known as Foxy) added, “It was probably the best footing I’ve been on all year. It’s like running on a cloud. It was crazy incredible.”
Lillian Heard Wood and Open Preliminary winner Bellines Quality Lady. (Photo © 2024 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Essex is part of the fabric of New Jersey’s Somerset Hills, having started on the Haller family’s farm in Bedminster in 1968 before moving to the U.S. Equestrian Team headquarters in nearby Gladstone 11 years later. Construction of a golf course there ended the Essex run after 1998, but it was revived in 2017 at Moorland Farm in Far Hills, a short drive from the Team. Now the dressage and show jumping phases are held at the USET Foundation, while cross-country is at Moorland, home of the Far Hills Race Meeting.
A popular addition to the weekend has been the Peter Chesson Memorial Car show adjacent to the cross-country course. Fox news host Jesse Watters, who lives in the Somerset Hills and attended Essex, had publicized the show on his program. It drew 500 cars (including the Batmobile), and some of those who came to see the autos wandered over to the equestrian competition to get a glimpse of genuine horse power.
The car show drew more than 500 vehicles to Moorland Farm. (Photo © 2024 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Hannah Sue Hollberg, who won the Intermediate last year with Hachi, likes the fact that the event reaches non-equestrians.
“It’s very rare in that way,” she said.
She’s quite a fan of Essex.
“Being able to come to USET headquarters is so cool. The two locations concept is the best of both,” said the rider, who was sixth in Open Prelim with Hachi this year.
“Both venues are to die for,” agreed Marilyn Payne, who won the Open Novice section with Rock Me Mama (the name of the song that’s the ring tone for calls from her son, Olympian Doug Payne.)
“To be able to ride at the team and jump in that arena, it’s unbelievable,” said Marilyn, an international judge who has officiated at two Olympics.
A resident of nearby Tewksbury Township, she is planning on moving up to Training level after her successful run at Essex on her mare, which she bought off a video from the family in England who raised her—the first time she ever purchased a horse without riding it first.
Lauren Chumley and Atlanta B in the show jumping against the backdrop of the historic USET Foundation stables. (Photo © 2024 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Lauren Chumley, a Pittstown, N.J., trainer whose specialty is dressage, decided to take a busperson’s holiday by competing at Essex. Her horse, Atlanta B, is 19 years old and “I feel like she’s jumping the best she’s ever jumped,” said Lauren, who was second in Open Preliminary.
Lauren admitted to feeling a bit nervous to be eventing after a layoff from the discipline, but observed, “When you have the right horse, the jumps don’t matter.”
Atlanta had a baby by Sea Lion, a filly that is a carbon copy of her dam. Lauren plans to compete her through Preliminary, then let fellow professional Meg Kepferle take over.
Essex was a favored destination for Lauren for several reasons, but one stood out.
“I love that they have the tailgating because all the people from my dressage barn come. I always tell them, `You have a 50-50 chance of me falling in the water. So it will be entertaining either way’,” she chuckled.
Essex is a great showcase for a variety of horses and riders, from the most experienced down to beginner novice. It seems as if nearly every horse has a story to tell, like Littlebitadominic, who was purchased by Carleen DeVincenzo for $600 from a rescue after the thoroughbred’s racing career ended.
With the help of Carleen running to every jump and cheering him on so he could hear her, the gelding was third in Prelim with Arielle Aharoni, who taught him how to jump.
Arielle Aharoni and Littlebitadominic. (Photo © 2024 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
“He’s brave and adjustable. He probably thought it was a walk in the park,” she said.
“I think he’s ready to move up to Intermediate.”
Essex offers several special awards, including the Jean and Elliott Haller Perpetual Trophy for Horsemanship in memory of the former owners of Hoopstick. It went to Sara Kelson, who works for Sara Kozumplik.
Sally Ike, Essex chairman, consulted officials about who should get the honor and reported, “They all were in unanimous agreement that Sara was an extraordinary person. They said she is kind, she is always there to help when help is needed.”
Morgan Rowsell and Sally Ike with award winner Sara Kelson. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Sally added that when Sara Kozumplik was told the other Sara had gotten the award, “she broke into tears because it was such a worthwhile award and would mean so much to Sara Kelson.”
The Golden Nugget award, given by Clarissa Wilmerding, goes to the best-scoring member of a Pony Club in any division. It went to Olivia Hicok, third in Beginner Novice B on Huckleberry with a score of 29.1.
Blessed by fabulous weather and safe competition, Essex 2024 was a great success.
For the riders, “It’s worth making the trip,” Morgan believes.
“You’re going to get international horses ready for international competition, you’re going to get amateurs to have a really special time to help support and bring new generations forward, because it’s such a cool place to be.”
Tailgaters at Essex have an up-close view of the water complex on cross-country. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“It’s such a community activity,” Sally observed.
The beneficiary is the Greater Newark LifeCamp, which gives Newark-area children an opportunity to participate in an enrichment program in the country each summer.
“I think it was a phenomenal weekend,” said Guy Torsilieri, a member of the Essex board.
“With the synergy of the car show and the cross-country, there’s a lot of potential there.”
Between the car show and the horse trials, Sally said, “I think we hit it out of the ballpark.”
click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | May 31, 2024
Ireland reigned supreme for the third time this week in the Dixon Oval, as Jordan Coyle took the $226,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon with a bold performance on an equally determined For Gold while a standing-room-only crowd cheered him on.
The crowd salutes Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon winner Jordan Coyle and For Gold. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“My horse isn’t that fast. He always looks like he’s going really fast, but actually he’s not that fast,” said Jordan, as Lillie Keenan, the runner-up in Thursday’s class, chimed in, saying, “I don’t believe that at all.”
And you could easily understand her comment.
For Gold appeared to be simply flying around the route set by Alan Wade (another Irishman!), a performance reflected in a time of 37.45 seconds, ahead of Lillie’s Kick On in 38.12.
The top two finishers had the same odd circumstance propelling their trips. Both executed iffy jumps at the first fence, which worked in their favor.
“A few horses didn’t jump it good,” Jordan said of the unimposing vertical that was set heading toward the outgate.
“But after that, it got me and the horse’s blood up, and from then on, everything came on pretty good.”
Noting that Kick On also wasn’t show his best form at that obstacle, Lillie contended, “that’s almost like a kick in the butt.”
Her mount is relatively inexperienced; this was only his second 4-star.
Lillie Keenan and Kick On. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I had planned to be a bit quicker than I was,” Lillie conceded. She is familiar with Jordan’s penchant for beating the clock.
“I knew he would be hard to catch,” she said.
“I did what I could without taking too much risk,” added Lillie, who finished in 38.12 seconds,
“In hindsight, there’s definitely a few things I would have changed,” observed the rider, whose initial visit to Devon came 20 years ago, when she was seven and looking for her first pony. Many of the show’s treasured silver trophies have her mother’s name engraved on them, “so I’m honored to be here,” said Lillie, whose own name now will be inscribed on the Style of Riding award trophy.
(UPDATE: Lillie finished Devon on Saturday as its Leading Jumper Rider, while Kick On was Open Jumper Champion. Reserve Open Jumper Champion was Cashew CR, ridden by Alex Matz to victory in the final jumper class, the $145,100 Idle Dice Stake,, where Kick On was second.)
Third place went to Colombia’s Mark Bluman, a member of the family that includes Olympian Daniel Bluman and Ilan Bluman, both of whom were also in the class but failed to make the seven-horse tiebreaker. Mark, who has a friendly rivalry with them, had the only other clear trip in the jump-off, but lost the $74,580 first prize purse on an exceedingly wide turn with Ubiluc to the third fence, a Liverpool. His horse, he explained, has trouble turning to the right, and his time of 38.67 could be explained by that peculiarity, even though he went like blazes around the rest of the course.
Mark Bluman at the Liverpool after his difficult right-hand turn with Ubiluc. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Still, he was just happy to make the podium at a show where he considers the atmosphere is “one of the best ones there is in the world. It’s nice to have the motivation of an educated public to make us do our job better and make a show out of it.”
The fastest jump-off round was turned it by Mimi Gochman on Inclen BH in 36.54 seconds, but it came at the price of two rails, which put her sixth.
Jordan is the brother of Daniel Coyle, a mainstay of the Irish team that could well be favored in this summer’s Olympics. Competition for spots on the Irish team is intense, but Jordan isn’t going for it, saying he’ll leave that to the others because he thinks the squad is “done and dusted.”
Another Irish rider, Darragh Kenny, won both the Tuesday and Wednesday classes with different horses.
However, Darragh’s slim Paris Games hope rested on yet another mount, the 17-year-old VDL Cartello, whose slow 4-fault effort in the first round at Devon put him tenth. Darragh’s top horse, Amsterdam, is on the injured list and he said the other night that he thought Irish chef d’equipe Michael Blake might consider Cartello too old for an Olympic spot in any case.
Jordan rode at Devon for the first time because his wife, Kimberly, qualified to ride in the adult jumpers and had always wanted to come.
“I wanted to go elsewhere,” he confessed, “but that won’t happen again.”
Jordan now plans to return annually. He’s glad he accompanied Kim and brought For Gold along.
Jordan Coyle and For Gold. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“This is what America’s losing. This is a proper horse show. The crowd here is amazing, the whole atmosphere. We can jump 5-star grands prix, and there’s 50 people there,” he pointed out.
“This show, for sure, I will be back. I can’t say enough good things. I already told my parents that they have to come here next year.”
Jordan dotes on the very consistent For Gold.
“He’s an unbelievably genuine horse. Maybe he doesn’t have all the talent in the world, but he’s so genuine that he can do anything.”
He had tried to buy the horse three times, but it didn’t work out.
“I’ve never been lucky buying horses.”
However, this time “it was all meant to be.”
Jordan said, “This horse, you couldn’t not love him. If it was possible for a horse to live in the house, he would live in the house and sleep in the bed. He’s the closest thing to a dog that has ever been.”
Lillie Keenan, Jordan Coyle and Mark Bluman. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
When I met Jordan in February during the Florida circuit, he revealed that his wife had wondered if he loved the horse more than he loved her. As he recounted the story, Jordan said (with a grin) “it is possible.”
Jordan noted For Gold For FashionXHeraldik) was treated more like a pet than an athlete until he started training with 2002 world show jumping champion Dermott Lennon. He explained everything comes so easily for the beautifully balanced horse that he found it hard to make him actually work.
Crowd favorite McLain Ward’s quest for a thirteenth Devon grand prix victory ended when Contagious had a rail fence 6-C, the last part of the triple combination. He had the fastest 4-fault round to end up ninth.
click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | May 29, 2024
The Devon Horse Show is one of a kind.
With its unlikely location outside Philadelphia, where suburbia and commerce have shouldered in around its 17-acre parcel, 128-year-old Devon is a relic of the past that is still beloved in the present—and likely will be in the future as well.
Even for those who aren’t involved with horses during the rest of the year, it is an annual “must stop.” The Devon tradition is handed down in families, whether they are drinking champagne in ringside boxes or hustling to secure a seat on one of the Devon blue benches flanking the arena. You’ll see lots of manicures finished with Devon blue polish, and not just among the kids.
For the riders, Devon has a special meaning in an industry that is being dominated in this era by multi-week shows in purpose-built facilities.
Hunt Tosh and Cannon Creek, High Performance Hunter Champion (also pictured in the featured photo) (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Nick Haness, a Californian who took the Leading Hunter Rider title for the second year in row, noted, “once was good enough for me for my life, but twice is even better.”
He called his experience here, “an exciting, exciting week.”
As he mentioned, it’s the first time of the year where west coast and Florida winter circuit riders meet.
Those experiences “accumulate and add up to this moment here this week,” said Nick.
“It’s always fun to put on a show in this big arena, and it’s always my favorite show because it really invites you to gallop. I love riding in this ring. There’s something really special about the atmosphere here.”
He gave credit for a big contribution in getting his name re-inscribed on the Leading Rider trophy to “my favorite girl, Circa,” a stunning grey Holsteiner owned by Glade Run Farm and named the show’s top hunter mare. She was reserve champion in the Green Hunter division over 3-foot, 6-inch fences.
“I absolutely adore that horse,” he said.
Scott Stewart, who had been a perennial winner of the Leading Rider honors, didn’t go away empty-handed. Ever After, “the consummate show horse” who was Scott’s ride in the Green Hunter 3-9 section, earned the Grand Hunter Champion title with 38 points. An Oldenburg by Arko who belongs to Biko Equestrian, Ever After spent a little time as a jumper in Europe before being imported. Rey Mayorga, who cares for Ever After, earned the leading groom trophy.
Ever After, Devon Grand Hunter Champion, with Nancy Ciesluk. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Nancy Ciesluk, Scott’s right-hand person and “mood elevator,” is still thrilled to be a part of Devon, 71 years after she first rode there.
She is viewed as both a morale officer and sort of a horse show mom to a variety of riders.
“It’s important to be supportive of each other in the highs and the lows,” said Nick.
“She’s always there to lift us up.”
Nick Haness and Nancy Ciesluk. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Nancy knows tragedy. Her son, Jamie, died of cancer eight years ago. Before he passed away, “he kept saying to me, `Mommy you have to promise me to be happy.’ ”
She recounted, “I thought that was the stupidest thing I ever promised.”
But it worked out.
“I have a lot of sons now. This is my family, however dysfunctional at times,” she said with a grin as Nick put his arm around her.
Darragh Kenny, a pillar of the Irish show jumping team, made his first ride ever at Devon a winning one in the Tuesday night Welcome stake that drew 44 entries. He was aboard Serendepty to be unbeatable with a clocking of 55.52 seconds. Second was last year’s winner, Alex Matz (son of longtime Devon star Michael Matz) on Cashew CR in 57.16.
After riding on the Irish squad at the Rome Nations Cup last weekend, Darragh flew to Devon with little in the way of sleep.
The effort was worth it.
“I think it’s a great show and supporting it is really important. I’m mostly based here in America now. I think they do a super job and it was a brilliant crowd. Everyone has always told me how great this show is, but it was fun to see it for myself,” said Darragh.
Darragh Kenny on his first Devon victory lap. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
His mare is “very, very competitive. She’s stepping up into this level really well. She is one that definitely understands the game. She’s just a really cool horse.”
The second Wednesday of Devon is the Ladies’ Hat Day contest, when women show up in fanciful creations. Some have friends make their hats, others put together the headgear themselves.
Kari Godorecci of Wayne, Pa., proudly wore a towering creation accented with black feathers and rhinestones, shipped to her from Jacksonville, Fla., by her mother, Brenda Ryan who has a collection of derby day hats.
Her friend, Tracie Adkison from Berwyn, Pa., is a first-grade teacher who is creative. She made the hat for a pal’s wedding with a peacock theme and decided it could do double duty at Devon.
Kari and Tracie modeling their hat. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
A bugler who sounds the call to the post at Churchill Downs, Phil Thomas, is working his art at Devon for the first time.
“I’m loving it,” he said with enthusiasm. Asked why, he replied, “it’s mainly the atmosphere; the history, the old wooden stands and the county fair atmosphere. Devon is unlike any horse show I’ve played before.”
Bugler Phil Thomas at work. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
A retired middle school band teacher, he fills in at the track, but has not played the call to the post for the Kentucky Derby because the main bugler never misses that race. But Phil has plenty of work, and does a number of horse shows and wedding receptions in Louisville—where the call to the reception is often the call to the post.
For the hunters, he played “Off we go, into the wild blue yonder” before they jumped.
The Shetland pony racers were serenaded with “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.” The crowd responded as you would expect, by clapping.
Devon is proud of being a multi-breed, multi-faceted show, where you can see everything from coaches with four-in-hands and fine harness horses, to roadsters and breeding classes, but the saddle horse and hackney classes don’t fill. This year, too many had only one exhibitor.
Show co-manager Phil DeVita said delays involving the Budweiser Clydesdale exhibition last year led to a boycott by some saddlebred exhibitors, who didn’t like riding late at night while the grandstands were being swept clean. Phil said the show sent a letter to the saddlebred group after what happened in 2023, and two new barns did come.
I’ve often wondered if they should still be part of the show (though the hackney pony is Devon’s symbol, so it would be hard to drop them.) The Clydesdale situation has been remedied by rescheduling this year, so that may help going forward.
“All I want is for them to be successful,” said Phil.
“We’ll see what happens.”
Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | May 30, 2024
The backdrop for the press conference following the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Devon Horse Show was a wall covered with photos of riders who have been inducted into the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame.
John French, one of those Hall members, took the featured competition Thursday morning, but Nick Haness, who was second (and third!) likely will have his picture on that wall in the exhibitors’ lounge one day soon. I spotted a blank space that would be perfect for it.
The Derby was competition at its best in the Dixon arena, where 34 exhibitors rode a classic round, over the type of course you would see in any top hunter class, decked with flowers and brush. Then the 12 best returned over a handy course, as competitors sought to impress the judges with their horses’ ability to handle twists and turns (as well as a trot jump).
John French and Paradigm in the classic round of the USHJA International Hunter Derby. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
John had only a 0.5 point lead with 2023 Derby Finals winner Paradigm over Brian Feigus and Four Aces after the first round. In the handy, he played it cool to earn 189.5.
“If you’re sitting on top, I don’t want to try something too daring,” he said, explaining why he was a bit conservative.
Noting Paradigm was a jumper in Europe before being imported, he needed to ensure that a dose of speed and some sharp turns wouldn’t trigger the horse’s memory of going for it in a speed class. (Though once Paradigm handled the trot jump, John said his horse figured out at that point that he wasn’t going against the clock.)
And he didn’t do an accelerated gallop to the final fence because he saw several horses swap leads when trying that.
John French and Paradigm in the handy round. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
His score wasn’t the best in the handy (that belonged to Nick on C’est Jolie with 190). But added to Paradigm’s first round, he claimed a total of 378. That was five points ahead of Nick’s mark of 373 on Estimated Prophet, the runner-up. C’est Jolie (like Estimated Prophet, her sire is Cornet Obolensky) had scored only 180 in her first round, so she wound up with 370 to finish third. Fourth was Four Aces (366.5), with a second round that earned only 178.5.
It was John’s only Derby win at Devon, and it meant a lot.
“This whole horse show has so much history and is so prestigious. It was a good way to end the week,” he said, in his modest style.
Nick, who was the show’s Leading Hunter Rider, agreed.
“It’s the best of the best. This derby was full of horses that ribboned at Derby Finals,” said Nick. He rode three horses in the class, including the developing Golden Road, who finished tenth.
“This is a really great class,” said Nick.
Nick Haness and Estimated Prophet. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“When you have a field of that many competitive horses and great riders, it’s an exciting day to be here, to be showing and to be putting on your A-game,” he commented.
“I put in as good a round as I could have ridden. My horses went well. John is an exceptional rider and the horse went beautifully for him. I’m pretty thrilled to be in second place behind him.”
Nick realized he had to step it up if he wanted to finish near the top in the class, so he went for an inside turn on Estimated Prophet.
Nick Haness with his dog, Hunter (love that name!) and John French. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I think it did pay off for me and I moved up, I think, a spot. The harder I make it for Estimated Prophet, the better he is. That’s the risk you take in the handy. The first three jumps came up real quick…the horses ddin’t quite get into the groove until after that third jump and then you could really gallop.”
click here for results
