TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--Charlotte Bettendorf of Luxembourg .on Million Pleasure won the $15,000 1.40-1.45m Jumper Classic on Sunday, June 28 in the Traverse City Spring Series.
Charlotte Bettendorf on Million Pleasure (Photo by Natalie Suto)Bettendorf was clean in 41.381 seconds to beat Kent Farrington on Dolores PS, second in 42.569, with Alexandra Smith on Chagolando PS, as the only other clean in the seven horse jump-off, third in 44.106
“I started showing him in March in Ohio for the first time,” Bettendorf said of the 8-year-old Holsteiner gelding. “He started doing the 1.30m there and now he's doing the 1.45m so easily. I think he can do much more. I really like him. He's always ears forward doing his best. I think it's a competitive horse.”
BETTENDORF had the advantage of going last over Bernardo Costa Cabral’s short course, so she had seen what the other seven competitors had put out there, including two rides for Farrington, one for Shane Sweetnam, and one for Beezie Madden.
“I saw Kent with the first one and he was really quick, then Shane was very quick as well,” she said. “We only had one clear, then I saw Kent go in front of me and I thought if I try I can probably make the time. The plan worked out very well and I'm very happy.”
“I really like this horse,” she said of Million Pleasure. “He is small in size but has a very big heart. He's like a little kid, biting and annoying you, but you go in the ring and he's perfect. Everyone likes him.”
After two international victories during Traverse City Spring, Bettendorf now heads home before returning to Northern Michigan in August for the FEI North American Youth Championships, where she will coach one of her students.
