DEVON, Pa.-Morgan Ward-Knowlton on Qornet VD Bisschop won the $5,000, 1.40m Welcome Jumper Stake on Thursday evening, Sept.10 at the Devon Fall Classic.

Morgan Ward Knowlton on Qornet VD Bisschop (Photo by Phelps Sport)Under a format in which those who had gone clean immediately continued into the jump-off, 30 competed over the course set by Manuel Esparza of Mexico.

Ultimately, it was Morgan Ward-Knowlton on Qornet VD Bisschop, who was clean in the jump-off in 31.072, who was the winner.

Ward-Knowlton also rode GF Diego in Thursday night’s class, the same horse with whom she finished second in last year’s Welcome Stake.

Laura Chapot placed second on C&C Willow, clean in 31.610, and Alex Matz on Omthago VDL, clean in 32.53, was third.

“It feels great! When I saw Laura chasing me again, I was like, ‘Oh no.’ It was amazing,” Ward-Knowlton said of turning the tables this year after finishing second to Chapot in last year’s Welcome Stake.

Ward-Knowlton and Qornet VD Bisschop will return to the Dixon Oval Saturday evening to compete in the $25,000 Devon Fall Classic.

Opening-day competition also featured the $1,000 Junior/Amateur 1.30m Jumper class.

Melissa Strawser on Darwin De Mars was the winner.

“I was using today as a warm-up,” said Strawser, who is recovering from a recent injury and competed Thursday in a borrowed helmet after forgetting her own.

Despite the circumstances, Strawser and Darwin De Mars quickly found their stride in the historic Dixon Oval.

“Darwin felt great,” she said. “He felt energetic, and he loves the Dixon Oval. He was on his game today.”

“It’s always nice to start with a win. It just sets the tone for the weekend, and I’m really excited to continue on Friday and Saturday under the lights at Devon.”

Grace Haley on Concentalla PS placed second, while Niamh Campbell on Mystique, rounded out the top three.