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Zayna Rizvi won the $3,750 Junior Jumper class at Devon while Carlee McCutcheon and Avery Glynn tied for the Equitation Championship (2)

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May 27, 2023

By Staff Writers

DEVON, Pa.--Zayna Rizvi finished both first and third in the Junior Jumpers at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, winning on Exit of Ice Z and placing third on Kung Fu.

Zayna Rizvi on Exit of Ice Z There was a four horse jump-off from the starting field of 30, and Olivia Sweetnam, daughter of Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam, placed second on HDB Quality, and Amira Kettaneh on Mark 19 was fourth.

First to go in the jump-off, Rizvi, 17 of Wellington, Fla., on Kung Fu was clean in 42.394, followed by Kettaneh, who had four faults in 45.151 to eventually finish fourth.

With two horses in the jump-off, Rizvi was next to go, but as she was warming up, Sweetnam moved up and went next, going clean in a fast 40.363.

After a few minutes wait, Rizvi went last on Exit Of Ice Z, cutting almost three seconds off Sweetnam''s time to win in 37.600.

 "My horse has a big stride, so she can leave out strides easily,"said Rezvi. "And she's very good at turns. I think I made up time turning from one to two and turning from three to four.

REZVI showed successfully in junior jumpers at Devon last year, and she also showed in open jumpers, placing high in the ribbons in at least one class.

Carlee McCutcheon on Chacco Star, Equitation Champion (Photo by Kind Media)She''s planning to show two horses in open jumpers again this year, Kung Fu and Exquise Du Pachis.

"I got Kung Fu last December," said Rezvi, who trains with Missy Clark and John Brennan. "He's only 8, so he's growing up. I'm learning a lot from riding a young horse."

During the past winter Rezvi competed in the U25 division at the Winter Equestrian Festival, where she placed reserve champion, and also competed in a couple of 3* classes at WEF, placing second in at least one 3* class.

Earlier in the day, Carlee McCutcheon and Avery Glynn tied for the R.W. (Ronnie) Mutch Equitation Championship with equal points from the four equitation classes.

"Chacco Star is great,"said McCutcheon of her mount. "He loves to do anything that's hard, in and outs, Slines and bending lines. He's really great about following my eye and is a seasoned horse."

"I put a lot of pressure on myself, because I won co-champion of this award last year as well," said Glynn. "I was reall trying to go two fortwo and hold myself to the same standard."

McCutcheon had won the first class of the day, section B of the ASPCA Maclay, with Blythe Goguen placing second..

"It was great," McCutcheon said. "Chacco was amazing in the warm up. He had a long day yesterday so I knew he’d be a little tired and I’d have to work for it. But he’s an incredible partner and I’m lucky to have him.”

Sweetnam won section A over Glynn.

“I struggle getting a good rhythm to the first jump sometimes, and the first line was a little forward," said Sweetman. "The last line also had a bit of a blind turn so I just had to go for it.”

Aeden Mooney won section C over Caroline Olsen.

"Astro De Ravel is amazing," said Mooney of her mount. "He’s done the equitation for a few years and he’s
such a good partner. He does whatever you want him to do and has a fun personality."

Keri Brion won four flat races, Bernie Houghton won two, and Motion, Matz and Meister had winners (2)

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May 27, 2023

By SARA CAVANAGH

BALTIMORE, Md.--Keri Brion saddled four winners during the past week, including Caroline Krystyna at Pimlico on Black Eyed Susan Day, May 10.

Caroline Krystyna winning at Pimlico (Photo by James McCue)Sterbenz Racing's Caroline Krystyna won a $58,800, 5 furlong Maiden Special weight turf race for 3-, 4- and 5-year-old fillies and mares by 2 1/4 lengths.

"It's been great," said Brion."Winning a race on Black Eyed Susan Day was a big push. I've gotten a lot of calls from that."

"Caroline's owner came from an open house that I had last February," said Brion. "He thought she'd be a turf horse, so he sent her to me. She's out of an Augustin Stable's mare that I used to gallop for Jonathan Sheppard. She's going to go to a stakes at Laurel next month."

Blue Streak Racing's Anoint won a $32,000, 1 mile Allowance race at Presque Isle by a neck on May 24.

Anoint was bred by Jonathan Sheppard, for whom Brion was assistant trainer before going out on her own.

"She ran a career best," said Brion. "She ran huge. She's not really a dirt horse, but she loves the tapeta track at Presque Isle."

KMSN STABLE'S Lightning Ridge won an $18,100, 1 mile Maiden Claiming turf race at Penn National by a nose on May 26.

Bali Kuta winning at Delaware Park (Photo by Hoofprints, Inc.)"He's a home bred for Mr. Galbraith," said Brion. "He had horses with Jonathan, and he came with me when I went out on my own, so it's great to win a race for him."

Serio Racing Stables and Christopher LaBerge's Bali Kuta won a $38,500, 1 1/16 mile Allowance race at Delaware Park by a neck on May 27.

That was Bali Kuta's first race being trained by Brion after he was claimed on March 3 and his first time running in other than claiming races.

BERNIE HOUGHTON had two winners during the past week, including one for his mother Betsy.

Edward J. Madden's Hop to a Decision won a $17,313, 6 furlong Maiden Claiming race for 3-year-old fillies by 4 1/2 lengths at Penn National on May 19.

"Ed bred Hop to a Decision," said Houghton. "She's out of a mare Ed raced. That mare got claimed after she won a race, but then they gave her back to us, and Ed bred her. Hop to a Decision ran last year as a 2-year-old, but then she got hurt, so we gave her the winter off, This was her second race back."

Sylmar Farm's Fletcher Station, bred and owned by Betsy Houghton, won a $13,000, 1 mile and 70 yards Maiden Claiming race by 1 3/4 lengths at Penn National on May 26.

"This was just his second start," said Houghton. "I'm not sure where he'll go next, but what I do know is that he'll stay racing long."

GRAHAM MOTION saddled four winners, including a stakes winner.

Nagirroc, owned by Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables and William Strauss, won the $100,000, 1 1/16  mile James W. Murphy Stakes by 3 3/4 lengths at Pimlico on May 20,

Nagirroc went to the front with a quarter to go and was hand ridden to the wire.

Chervenell Thoroughbreds' Frivole won a $129,430,1 3/8 mile Allowance for fillies and mares by 2 1/2 lengths at Churchill Downs on May 18.

Sumaya US Stable's Amani's Image won a $64,800. 1 1/16 mile Allowance turf race for fillies and mares by 1 1/2 lengths at Pimlico on May 20.

Sycamore Hall Thoroughbreds' homebred Libraryofconggress won a $50,120, 1 1/8 mile Maiden Claiming turf race by 2 1/2 lengths at Pimlico on May 26.

MICHAEL MATZ saddled Runnymoore Racing's In a Spin to win a $40,760, 1 mile Starter Optional Claiming race for fillies  and mares by 1 3/4 lengths at Pimlico on May 11.

BILLY MEISTER saddled Christopher White's Happybirthdaycorey to win a $18,000, 6 furlong Starter Optional Claiming race by 1 1/4 length at Penn National on May 12.

Carlee McCutcheon won the Junior Jumper stake and the championship, and Wendy Chapot Nunn opened adult week with a win in Adult Jumpers (2)

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May 28, 2023

By SARA CAVANAGH

DEVON, Pa.--Carlee McCutcheon on Coco Mercedes won the $20,000 Junior Jumpers in a nine horse jump-off and, with the points from that class Coco Mercedes was Junior Jumper Champion and McCutcheon was Leading Junior Jumper Rider at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair on Saturday, May 27.

Carlee McCutcheon on Coco MercedesZayna Rizvi on Exit of Ice Z was Reserve Champion.

This was McCutceon's second win in the division, having won the first class on MTM Unexpected, and she also tied for the Equitation Championship on Friday.

McCutcheon, 17 of Aubrey, Texas, comes from a famous equestrian family, but a family not famous for show jumping but for reining.

Carlee's father is Tom McCutcheon, who has two individual and team gold medals in reining in World Championships, and her brother is also an accomplished reining competitor.

"My grandmother on my mother's side was a show jumper, and Mom did both until she was married, when she concentrated on reining," said McCutcheon. "I grew up doing both reining and jumping, but since last year I just do jumping."

McCUTCHEON trains with Max Amaya, but Coco Mercedes is owned by McLain Ward, so he also gives her advice.

Wendy Chapot Nunn on Cache on her way to the championship last year (Photo by Allyson Lagiovane for Phelps Sports)"McLain has been helping me with her," said McCutcheon."She's the most incredible partner I've ever had in the jumper ring. She makes me so brave. She's incredibly fast, so I knew this would be a good jump-off for her."

"McLain has allowed me to show this horse since last winter," said McCutcheon. "I have no idea why he chose me, but I feel honored to ride for a man I think is the best at this sport."

"Coco Mercedes is 10," said McCutcheon. "She's very hot. I've never ridden a horse as hot as she is. I just try to stay out of her way. She's very quick across the ground."

"This is my second Devon," she said. "I got a few top ribbons in equitation last year. This year went better than I'd expected. It means a lot as I'm in my final junior year. After I age out, hopefully I'll turn pro.My family is very supportive."

Aver Glynn of Petaluma, Calif., who had tied for the Equitation Championship, was named Best Child Rider on a Horse.

Consent, ridden by Kat Fuqua, was Overall Small Junior Hunter Champion and Grand Junior Hunter Champion.

Lily Epstein of Miami, Fla., was Best Child Rider on a Pony, and Royalist, ridden by Vivian Gold was Large Pony Champion and Grand Hunter Pony Champion.

Wendy Chapot Nunn of Madison, N.J., opened Adult week Sunday morning with a win in the Adult Jumper speed class on Cashe.

"I went first in the class on General Thompson, but he was a little too playful and had a fence down, but I got an idea of the course," said Nunn.

"Cache was very nervous," Nunn said. "She was nervous about the new gate, so we had to coax her in with treats."

Devon has a handsome new side gate, a big edifice with Devon emblazoned between two large pillars.

"We got off to a slow start, but she's very fast, so even if we did some adds, she was fast," said Nunn.

Nunn was champion last year in Adult Jumper on Cache, so she has started the defense of her title on top.

"I put a lot of pressure on myself,"said Nunn. "I'm trying to just enjoy being at Devon. She's a wonderful horse,"

The Chapots said the change in the time schedule made life very difficult for the adult jumpers.

"Because juniors were still competing and in stalls, we weren't given stalls until Sunday, to we had to drive here early Sunday morning," said Mary Chapot. "We left at 5 am to get here, but first we couldn't get into exhibitors' parking. They said we had to have a pass, and I said I had to park to go in to get an exhibitor's pass, but they said no, but luckily Wendy and I were together, so Wendy drove around while I went in to get a pass."

"Then when Laura arrived driving the van, they said the stalls were still being cleaned, so we couldn't get horses into stalls until 8 am. That's when the Children's Jumper went, and our class was at 9. The change  in schedule was horrible. They had those two classes, and then nothing for spectators but open schooling until 1 o'clock."

"Trailers and vans were lined up miles back along the side roads," said Nunn.

McLain Ward on Alanine De Vains won the $100,000 Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson I (2)

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May 29, 2023

By SARA CAVANAGH

SAUGERTIES, N.Y.--McLain Ward on Alanine De Vains won the $100,000 Grand Prix in a seven horse jump-off at HITS-on-the-Hudson I on Saturday, May 27.

Mclain Ward on Alanine De Vains (Photo by ESI Photography)Lauren Balcomb on Verdini D’Houtveld Z was second by just 3/10ths of a second, and Switzerland’s Beat Mandli on Chartraine Pre Noir was third.

“Both of my horses felt great,” said Ward. “I think the improvements here at HITS are phenomenal. This is a local event for us, which is nice, we're only an hour away. The footing, the condition of the facility, and the professionalism of its staff and managers are first-rate. We're very excited to be here.”

Marina Azevedo set a welcoming track for the first Sunday grand prix of the season at HITS-on-the-Hudson. 

Five of the seven in the jump-off were clean again.

Heather Caristo-Williams on Celtic Hero BZ was the first clean, but her time was soon beaten by Diego Perez Bilbao on Dialuna.

BALCOMB on Verdini D’Houtveld Z was next and even faster, finishing in a speedy 39.544 seconds.

Ward on the experienced Alanine De Vains finished clean in 39.233 seconds to narrowly edge out Balcomb.

Mandli on Chartraine Pre Noir was the last to return, but his clear round in 40.449 seconds fell just behind the leaders for third place.

Ward began riding Alanine De Vains, a 13-year-old Selle Francais mare, for Lindemann Barnett Sporthorses at the beginning of the year and has quickly built a partnership with the experienced horse.

“I knew Lauren was going to be very fast,” said Ward. “Her horse is typically a very quick horse and she's very experienced with it. When she put up a good round, I knew that with Alanine De Vains I had to take the risk, and the mare is even better against the clock. She kicks into another gear, and that’s what she did today. She's a feisty mare with a bit of character, but she is just a flat-out winner.”

Buck Davidson, a local favorite, won Arena Eventing at Devon (2)

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May 29, 2023

By SARA CAVANAGH

DEVON, Pa.--Buck Davidson of Unionville, Pa., on Cassandra Segal's Erroll Gobey won the $50,000 Arena Eventing class at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair on Sunday evening, May 28.

Buck Davidson on Erroll GobeyIt was Davidson's second time competing in Arena Eventing at Devon, and this time was considerably less stressful.

The first time Davidson rode at Devon, a combination of late planes and bad traffic meant that he only arrived at Devon in time to jump on his first horse and go in the ring, having had no time to walk the course.

He said that he'd kept calling Devon to tell them that he was on his way.

He used that first round to figure out the course, and he then returned on his second horse to eventually place second.

"This was fun," said Davidson. "It was nice to do one better than last time. Devon's such a cool place and the spectators are so great. It was nice for him to have a place to shine."

"GOBEY'S 13, and I think I got him as a 7-year-old," said Davidson. "He's done a bunch of long and short four star events. He's just a little short of being a five star horse."

"His full brother, Monaco, was second in the World Cup Finals in Omaha with Harrie Smolders this year,"said Davidson. "Gobey is bred to jump, but he might be just a little short of speed..He has everything, all the jump and he's a beautiful mover. He has a beautiful trot and canter. In dressage, the walk is his problem. Dressage is a work in progress. He's super nice, real quiet. He's a beautiful horse. Anyone could ride him."

Captain Mark Phillips, who was eventing chef d'equipe for many years, designed the course for Arena Eventing, and he designs courses for a number of events.

"Mark is a genius at doing this," said Davidson. "He does a really good job of making it exciting. He gives the horses confidence and puts on a good show. It's nice to have a bit of pressure and a bit of fun. I'm from this area, so it's cool to have all my neighbors and friends here. And it brings eventing to the masses. Devon is such an awesome venue and a cool, nostalgic place."

In the first round, a combination of eventing and show jumping fences were spread between the Dixon and Wheeler Ovals, and the top 12 from the starting field of 22 qualified for the jump-off.

There were eight clean and four with time faults that were carried forward to the jump-off against time, with all obstacles in the Dixon Oval..

Davidson qualified two for the jump-off, and, as he was last to go, he utilized that advantage to cut every corner and gallop to the last fence to finish in 72.629, 3/10s of a second faster than second placed Caroline Martin Pamukco of Springtown, Pa., on HSH Blake, who finished in 72.918, with Arielle Aharoni of Bedminster, N.J., on Dutch Times third in 72.973.

Last year's winner, Sara Kozumplik of Berryville, Va., on Rubens D'Ysieux, was fourth in 74.3909, with Ema Klugman of Clarksburg, Md., fifth in 75.286, and Davidson on Electric Lux sixth in 77.730.

Tara Crowley, driving a Mills and Son, Gooch Wagon, won the Carriage Marathon over Misdee Wrigley, driving a dog car.

Alexandra Sica on Quickly Stated won the $10,000 Children's Jumper Classic, clean in 32.911, with Collin Sweetnam on Just Noble second, clean in 32.911.

"My first round, I was so nervous," said Sica, who had placed second in her morning class. "I haven't been back here since 2018, and I just wanted to do well. I wanted to stay consistent and stay within myself, not let the moment get too big, But I trusted my horse. She's been here a million times, and I knew the crowd wouldn't freak her out, so I was really confident in her."

Wendy Chapot Nunn won the Adult Amateur Jumper Classic and the Championship (2)

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May 30, 2023

By SARA CAVANAGH

DEVON, Pa.--Wendy Chapot Nunn went first of 10 in the jump-off for the $10,000 Adult Amateur Jumper Classic, but despite that disadvantage, she laid down such a fast clean trip that none of the following riders could catch her.

Wendy Chapot Nunn on Cache wins the ClassicRiding Cache, Nunn finished clean in 32.369 to win over Emily Aitken on Binja, clean in 32.693, and Morganne Young on Golden Gun was third, claen in 32.852.

"She was amazing," said Nunn of her mare. "Going first actually worked out well for me. You go in, do your plan and let everyone chase you."

Going first may have worked out well, but  it was pretty stressful.

"I was a mess." said Nunn. "There's a big screen in the Wheeler ring, so I was watching the class. I stayed on Cache and watched the screen. Cache watched it, too. I was a nervous wreck. I kept saying, `What was my time?'"

NUNN HAD also won the first class on Cache, but then had an uncharacteristic stop in the second class.

"Cache wasn't feeling well," said Nunn. "The lights were on all night in the stabling, and she was tired. She's a very big drinker, so we gave her a lot of water, and she had a couple of naps before the Classic, so she was back to herself again."

With the two wins, Nunn won the Adult Amateur Championship, and that was for the second year in a row.

"I was so nervous coming into this week," said Nunn. "I kept thinking, how can I do better. This was the first time I won the Classic. Last year I won the first two classes. Everything just came up right in the jump-off in the Clasic."

Nunn is no stranger to winning at Devon.

She was Junior Jumper Champion on Good Enough, and then won the Amateur Owner Championship twice on Good Enough before winning it a third time on News Girl to retire the trophy.

The entire Chapot family is accustomed to winning at Devon, beginning with parents Mary and Frank Chapot, who scored multiple wins in Open Jumpers before Frank went on to be the course designer for many years.

Laura has won beginning with riding ponies and going on to win Devon Leading Open Jumper Rider a number of times and most recently winning the $74,000 Idle Dice Stakes last year on Diardo's Flying Dutchman.

Hunters began competition on Memorial Day, with Nick Haness winning two Green Conformation classes on McQueen and also  winning a Green Hunter, 3'6 class on Day Won.

Colin Syquia on Front Page won both Green Hunter, 3'9" classes.

Scott Stewart began his defense of his 2022 Leading Hunter Rider title with a won on Colter in Green Hunter 3'6".

Kids and Pets at Devon (2)

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May 30, 2023

By SARA CAVANAGH

Kids and pets enjoying Devon (2)

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May 31, 2023

By SARA CAVANAGH

Alex Matz won the Jet Run Welcome Stake at Devon, class named in honor of his father Michael's horse (2)

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May 31, 2023

By SARA CAVANAGH

DEVON, Pa.--Alex Matz of Cochranville, Pa., on Cashew CR won the very first Open Jumper class he had ever ridden in at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, the $38,700 Jet Run Welcome Stake, on Tuesday evening, May 30.

Alex Matz on Cashew CRAnd to make it even more memorable, the Welcome Stake was named in honor of Jet Run, one of the top horses that his father Michael had competed.

"Devon is all about history, to to win a class named in honor of Dad's best horse was something special," said Matz. "I've competed here before in pony jumpers and amateur owner jumpers, but that was the first time I rode in an open jumper class here."

Matz turned pro a couple of years ago, and he has been consistently getting better and better.

The Welcome Stake was a time first round speed class, and Matz finished clean in 56.32, a second and a half better than second placed World Championship team gold medalist Devin Ryan of Long Valley, N.J., on Eddie Blue, clean in 57.83.

Roberto Tehran, an Olympic veteran from Columbia, on BP Wakita was third, clean in 58.02, and Olympic team gold medalist Mclain Ward of Brewster, N.Y., on First Lady was fourth,clean in 58.73.

"CASHEW is just naturally very quick," said Matz. "He's fast across the ground, and he's naturally very careful. He likes to go at a pretty good pace."

"I've had him since he was 8, and he's 15 now," said Matz. "He's won a lot. This year he's jumped 75 to 80 percent of all his classes clean, and he's won two classes. He's very competitive. He's the most special horse I've ever had."

Matz plans to compete Cashew next in the $250,000 Sapphire Grand Prix Thursday evening at Devon.

Both Matz' mother DD and father Michael were at Devon Tuesday evening to see his historic win,

"I called Mrs. Dixon this morning, and she was thrilled," said Michael, referring to Jet Run's owner.

"It's nice to see Alex has the opportunity to do some of the things I did," said Michael. "It's our pleasure to help him along the way. I'm a proud father,"

"It was exciting," said Matz' mother DD, who was a Pan Am team gold medalist. "We bought Cashew to be Alex' amateur horse, and he's just kept going. He's a really special horse. I like to ride at least one horse every day, and he's the one I usually ride."

"It was obviously very special to have Alex win the class that honored Michael's top horse, Jet Run," said DD, who is a devoted follower of her children's equestrian careers and was back at Devon the following morning to see her daughter Lucy ride their homebred Starstruck go clean in the 5-Year-Old Jumpers.

Earlier in the day on Tuesday, Scott Stewart of Flemington, N.J., rode Colter to win the Green Hunter 3'6" Championship with Nick Haness on McQueen Reserve Champion.

"Colter was purchased last fall for Sophie Gochman to show in the amateur owner division," said Stewart. "Sophie has been very successful with him, and she'll show him Friday and Saturday here at Devon."

Fron Page, ridden by Colin Syquia was Green Hunter 3'9" Champion, wiith Drumrol, ridden by Kelly Mullen, Reserve Champion.

In Green Conformation, Haness rode both the Champion and Reserve, with McQueen Champion and Pavlova Reserve Champion

McLain Ward won the Power and Speed Jumper, and Nick Haness was Leading Hunter Rider (2)

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June 1, 2023

By SARA CAVANAGH

DEVON, Pa.--McLain Ward on First Lady won the $38,700 Power and Speed Open Jumper class Wednesday evening at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair.

McLain Ward on First LadyIn Power and Speed, competitors jump a course with a time allowed and the go through timers onto the Speed phase, and the accumulated faults are counted for the whole course but the time in the Speed phase separates all those without fault.

Ward finished clean in 30.69, but Jessica Mendoza of Great Britain on Changing Tatum, going third from last, almost caught him, finishing in 30.73.

Laura Chapot on Chandon Blue, who went very early in the class, finished third in 31.09, with Roberto Teran of Colombia on Wakita fourth in 323.09.

"First Lady is a mare belonging to Robin Parsky that we bought as a 7-year-old," said Ward. "We've been producing her, and last year she started putting it all together."

"She's very rideable," said Ward. "She's a handy horse, so I can make quick turns. She's quick naturally."

EARLIER in the day, hunters finished their competitions with Can Can, ridden by Christopher Payne, winning the Conformation Hunter Championship and Worthy, ridden by Marie Rasmussen, the Reserve Champion.

Cannon Creek, ridden by Hunt Tosh, was High Performance Hunter Champion with Nottingham, ridden by Scott Stewart, Reserve Champion.

The Grand Hunter Championship went to McQueen, ridden by Nick Haness, who had been Green Hunter, 3'6" Reserve Champion and Green Conformation Hunter Champion on Wednesday.

Haness of Temecula, Calif., was Leading Hunter Rider, edging out Scott Stewart, who has won that title 17 times.

"I just come east for Devon, the Hunter Derby and the indoor circuit," said Haness. "I've shown at Devon about 10 times."

"McQueen is a very nice horse," said Hanes. "I thought his way of going would do well at Devon. He has a big stride, and he's a good jumper."

"I broke my wrist 10 weeks before Devon, so for McQueen to be able to perform the way he did is remarkable. He only showed twice in the 10 weeks after I broke my wrist. His owner Brooke Maris showed him twice in first-year green before Devon. The last time I showed him was a Thermal in California 11 weeks ago."

Haness said he hoped to return to Devon again next year to defend his title.

Always Elegant, ridden by Dillya Millnick was Lady's Side Saddle Champion, with Tortuga, ridden by Devon Zebrovious, Reserve Champion.

Kids,Pets and More, kids at Devon (2)

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June 1, 2023

By SARA CAVANAGH

Ashlee Bond won the $226,000 Devon Grand Prix in a three horse jump-off (2)

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June 2, 2023

By SARA CAVANAGH

DEVON, Pa.--Ashlee Bond on Donatello 141, riding for Israel, won the $226,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon over Devin Ryan on Eddie Blue and Schuyler Riley on Robin De Ponthual in a three horse jump-off on Thursday evening, June 1, at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair.

Ashlee Bond on Donatello 141Having to go first in the jump-off, Bond laid down a very fast, clean round in 37.29 seconds that proved uncatchable.

Eddie Blue has a very big stride and is deceptively fast, but Ryan steadied him a couple of times, particularly to the last fence, and finished a full second back in 38.29.

Last to go, Riley, who had been second in last year's Grand Prix, had eight faults in 39.32 to finish third.

"I've had my horse for six years, so the plan is always the same, to do what's best for my horse regardless of who's behind me," said Bond. "We know each other inside and out. He reads my thoughts."

Bond said she hadn't walked the jump-off course and never walked jump-off courses with Donatello.

“He’s so adjustable," said Bond. "I land, and I’m just always pushing him to go as fast as he’ll go. He’s not really trying to run, I’m encouraging him to go faster. I just see where I’m at and do what I feel he can do in that moment, and it’s worked out so far most of the time.”

"I PROBABLY should have taken a risk to the last fence and done a double leave-out and done eight strides versus the nine, but I didn’t quite see it," said Ryan. I" didn’t quite believe in it. That’s show jumping.”

Devin Ryan on Eddie Blue Following the presentation of the ribbons, Band walked slowly around the entire Dixon Oval, allowing kids to pat Donatello's head and shaking hands as she went.

"I so enjoy giving back to the spectators," said Bond. "They spend hours watching us, so it's the least we can do. Donatello is a ham."

"I feel this is so rare in our sport," said Bond of the hordes of enthusiastic and knowledgeable spectators that filled the stands and stood eight deep around the ring. "We don't really get this at most shows. Aachen is the only other place I've experienced this kind of energy before. I'm just really appreciative of getting to have this kind of environment."

"Donatello is a love in the barn," said Bond."My 6-year-old daughter can ride him."

Bond said she had competed Devon as a 8- or 9-year-old in the pony division, but she is now 38 and this is the first time since then that she has competed at Devon.

Schuyler Riley on Robin De PonthualBond said she moved from California after her daughter was born because she was east competing for half the year and wanted to be in a place where she could spend more time with her family.

She now lives on five acres in Loxahatchee, Fla., but she competes for Israel and has ridden in the Olympics for Israel.

"Israel has always been in my heart," said Bond. "I've been there, and my grandmother lives there. I'm strong in my christian faith, but Israel is God's country."

Raleigh Hiler, 23, who trains with Max Amaya in Colts Neck, N.J., was fourth on Oboro's Chloe with one time fault in 76.59 in the first round.

 Hiler is deaf and wears a headset to hear directions while riding.

Jessica Mendoza on Cap CLZ was fifth  with four faults in 70.90 and McLain Ward on Callas was sixth with four faults in 74.36.

Ward, who has won the Grand Prix 17 times, was clean to the last fence, but after he jumped the combination clean the crowd erupted into applause as he was heading to the last fence, and Callas must have been distracted because he just brought down the back rail while Ward glanced back as if in disbelief.

The $25,000 International Hunter Derby was held Thursday morning, and was won by Hunt Tosh riding Autograph, owned by Ceil Wheeler, who scored 188 to win over second placed Colin Syquia on Front Page, who scored 185, with Ariana  Marnell on Ocean Road third on 183 points.

Front Page and Autograph placed first and second respectively in the first round on scores of 95.5 and 94, but Autograph scored 94 in the handy  to move up to first over Front Page, who scored 90 in the handy.

Ocean Road jumped up from ninth in round one on a score of 90 to score 93 in round two and move up to third..

"I'm lucky to have two great derby horses," said Tosh. "Autograph actually won here last year, so to come back and do it two years in a row was even more fun. He had two really great rounds, I was happy with him.  He jumped great and then came back in the handy and did really well. So for three days in a row he jumped really well in three classes here."

"There really wasn't too many chances to take an option," said Tosh of the course. "I think it was truly more of a jumping contest. I think you could be tidy and be smart about it, but there wasn't a place that you had to do anything crazy tricky, So really, it was nice for the quality hunters that went in and jumped solid rounds."

"Front Page was fantastic the first round," said Syquia. "I was really pleased. I also went in the middle of the pack a little bit earlier, but he answered every question in the first round. He came back in the handy and was maybe a little late to the first jump on the left turn, but after that he was awesome."

The U.S. team for the Nations Cup in Canada (2)

Details

June 2, 2023

By SARA CAVANAGH

LEXINGTON, Ky.--US Equestrian announced the riders selected to represent the U.S. Jumping Team at the Jumping Nations Cup of Canada CSIO5* in Langley, British Columbia, Canada, from June 1-4.

The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland.

The following riders have been named to the NetJets® U.S. Jumping Team and are listed in alphabetical order:

• Karl Cook of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.
• Kent Farrington of Wellington, Fla.
• Lacey Gilbertson of Lake Forest, Ill.
• Charlotte Jacobs of East Aurora, N.Y.
• Lillie Keenan of New York, N.Y.

Competition Information

The competition will begin Thursday, June 1, and conclude Sunday, June 4.

The Nations Cup will take place Sunday, June 4, at 5:00 p.m. ET, which is 2:00 pm. PT.

The Grand Prix will take place on Friday, June 2, at 7:00 p.m. ET.

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