Wolff and the nine-year-old mare put the pieces together to top a 27-entry field in Friday’s $31,020 GGT Footing & Silver Oak CSI3* Welcome Stake
TRAVERSE CITY, MI — September 4, 2026 — Ali Wolff has spent nearly a year developing a partnership with Hesperide du Breuil. On Friday at Flintfields Horse Park, speed became another piece of the puzzle.
Wolff (USA) and the nine-year-old mare raced to victory in the $31,020 GGT Footing & Silver Oak CSI3* Welcome Stake, producing a clear jump-off in 35.10 seconds to lead a 27-entry field during the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament presented by the Davis McCullough Foundation.
Callie Schott (USA) and Popstar came closest, finishing clear in 35.81 seconds for second. Ireland’s Paul O’Shea and Manglar LS La Silla took third in 36.11 seconds.
“She’s a newer partner of mine, almost a year now,” Wolff said. “She’s new to this height. I think this is maybe our third three-star level, and I just think the world of her. She’s coming up really nicely.”
For Wolff, the progression has been deliberate. “We’ve been putting parts and pieces together slowly. Now we’re getting the speed and the carefulness. I really like where we’re headed,” she said.
That natural speed was evident Friday, but Wolff said learning how to use it without asking Hesperide du Breuil simply to run has been part of developing their partnership.
“I have to be careful because she’s naturally quick. If I think quick, she’ll run too fast and knock them down. I have to stay calm and patient with my body and let her cover the ground. She has a naturally big stride and is naturally quick.”
Wolff entered the jump-off with a general plan but left room to adjust. After adding a stride around the corner to fence fourteen, she found the time she needed on the run home.
“I think where I really made up ground was the last fence,” Wolff said. “It was a long, galloping nine strides.”
The result adds another Traverse City win for Wolff during a season when she chose Northern Michigan as her summer base. “We love it here,” she said. “This year we decided to base out of here.” Traverse City also provides the competition environment Wolff wants as she works toward getting back to the sport’s highest level.
“The footing is fantastic. The jumps are great. The course designers are amazing. You really get to experience top level, even if it’s just a three-star. I really want to keep trying to get back to that top level again.”
Hesperide du Breuil may soon get her own opportunity to take another step. Wolff said Friday’s performance has her considering the mare for a five-star qualifier during the second week of the Tournament of Champions.
“Hopefully, we’re going to attempt the qualifier, a five-star, next week,” Wolff said. “That’s the biggest step up, but right now she feels incredible, confident, and comfortable.”
Friday’s jumper competition also included wins for Lexi Ferder and Miren Sanchez. Ferder and Karienh2 topped the $20,000 Muny Sunk Stables & Silver Oak 1.40m Jumper, producing a double-clear effort and stopping the jump-off clock at 32.125 seconds. To close the day, Sanchez and Noah VH Beeckhof Z won the Muny Sunk Stables & Silver Oak 1.40-1.45m Junior/Amateur Jumper, finishing clear in 68.297 seconds.
Competition continues Saturday with a full day in the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring, highlighted by the finals of the $100,000 USHJA Young Jumper Championships presented by North Star Sport Horses for five-, six-, seven-, and eight-year-olds. The schedule also features the $25,000 Road To The Top Jumper Challenge and the $5,000 Silver Oak 1.25m Kevin Babington Benefit Classic.
Find daily sport coverage, results, photos, schedules, and more throughout the Tournament of Champions at TraverseCityHorseShows.com and the TCHS Mobile App.
