LONG VALLEY, N.J.--Eleanor Kunsman of Flemington, N.J., on Hill Top Van Het Gavershof won the featured $5,000 Welcome Stake over a total of 23 top horse-and-rider combinations contesting the course at Monmouth At The Tea on Aug. 20.
Eleanor Kunsman on Hill Top Van Het Gavershof (Photo by Anne Gittins)Monmouth At The Team hosted all levels of jumper riders center stage Friday and Saturday, and competitors and a full hospitality tent of spectators got plenty of jumper action before Hurricane Henri prematurely brought the event to a close Sunday.
The event debuted this year at Centenary University Equestrian Center and showcased both A and B-rated hunter, jumper, and equitation competition.
Kunsman had a double-victory riday in the $5,000 Bobcat Derby 3” section where she placed both first and second.
As part of her winnings, she received two leopard-printed saddle pads in honor of The Nature Conservancy.
ON A BET, Kunsman’s Welcome Stake mounts donned those colorful saddle pads into Friday nights class and it seemed they carried over her good luck.
She and the 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding were one of several to return for Skip Bailey’s shortened jump-off track and produced an efficient round to take over the lead from Devin Ryan of Long Valley, N. J., a member of gold medal-winning Team USA at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon.
“I have known this horse for quite a long time and he has always been very competitive and fast at this height,” Kunsman said. “I found him on accident several years ago for one client, and they leased him for a year, then we returned him to his owners, and then pieces all just fell together where one of my other clients ended up buying him this winter, and so we are just very happy to have him back in the barn."
"He doesn’t have the biggest stride but he is very quick in the air and across the ground,” she said. “The course rode very nice and there was one specific line I was able to really catch on the fly that I think helped us get ahead because he is just very game and brave.”
Kunsman said that Monmouth at the Team was by far the best show in New Jersey and her team always enjoys their time there.
The second place honors went to Devin Ryan aon his own 7-year-old Zangersheide mare Ascalitta SBK Z, and Will Baker on Candorra R rounded out the top three.
