DEVON, Pa.--Melissa Strawser on Darwin De Mars won the $5,000 Welcome Jumper Stake on Thursday, Sept. 12, opening day at the Devon Fall Classic.

Meilissa Strawser on Darwin de Mars (Photo by Olivia Airhart)In a class in which all of the competitors clean over the first round course set by Manuel Esparza of Mexico came back immediately for the jump-off, Strawser went fifth of 18 and was clean in the jump-off in 36.701.

Laura Chapot on C & C Willow went right after Strawser and also was clean in the jump-off but couldn't quite catch Strawser's time, finishing in 37.409 to place second.

Six were clean with Seth Vallhonrat on Lordy P third in 49,891, followed by David Marisz on Zorba TT fourth with four faults in the jump-off in 44.586 seconds, Andrew Ross on Cornet's Cobalt, fifth with four faults in 47.019 and Matthias Hollberg on Accord sixth with eight faults in the jump-of in 36.581.

Strawser first rode Darwin at the Devon Horse Show three years ago, and she has been competing in the High Amateur Owner Jumpers on Darwin for several years with great success, winning the Championship in the division at The Devon Horse Show and winning a 1.40m jumpers class at The Devon Fall Classic last year.

Strawser is planning to step up into the Grand Prix level this winter in Ocala, Florida.

 

KAMA GODEK on Lady Stakkata won the $1,500, 1.30m Jumper Class earlier in the day, clean in the jump-of in 30.093 to beat Leah Harrison on Riviera BF by over two seconds.

Catherine Kubiak finished first and third in the $1,000 1.40m Junior/Amateur class, winning on Argo Z and placing third on Labelle VD Middelstede.

Declan Egan on Hedwina de Villee won the $3000,1.40m Jumpers with the only clean first round.

The Devon Fall Classic runs through Sunday, Sept. 15, with classes for juniors, amateurs, and professionals ranging from 1.0m up to 1.45m.