A Speedy Jump-Off Delivers the Classic Title
Ava Stryk and Gold Digger really dug in on Sunday of week three of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented by B&D Builders. They blazed through two rounds in the $500 WIHS Pony Jumper Classic, jumping double clear and capturing the fastest time, taking the win.
Stryk’s biggest motivation was to simply give it her best shot, and the win was the cherry on top.
“[My goal was] to ride well and to try my best,” she explained. “[Gold Digger] is very predictable so you know when he isn’t sure about the jumps or is like, ‘Okay, I’ve got you’.”
Gold Digger definitely had her back, but her riding was key in accomplishing the level of speed they reached. Stryk knew as she was going around the Polk Ring that her jump-off was something special.
“It feels pretty good,” she said of her Classic win. “It’s nice to jump in the Polk Ring. Next week we are doing this class again and then at Pony Finals we are going to try our best then. My trainer Maggie [Gampher], she’s really kind and is a really good trainer.”
Gampher was thrilled with the result as Stryk came out of the ring. “I was glad the no stirrup bareback practice paid off!” Gampher joked.
Finishing in second place was Madeleine Warren with Gamekeeper, and Mattelyn Morrissey took third place aboard Kit Kat.
Future Stars Shine on Pony Up Sunday
First-time exhibitor Kinsley Opalewski sweeps the Walk Trot divisions in her horse show debut.
Sunday also marked the beginning of a promising partnership for young rider Kinsley Opalewski, who earned championship honors in Walk Trot. She swept the Walk, Walk Trot, and Walk Trot Jump divisions aboard Wrenwoods Girl Scout.
Her favorite part was the Walk Trot Jump division, where she put her flatwork skills to the test and navigated a course of poles.
Despite it being her first horse show ever, Opalewski walked in the arena with no nerves, partially due to her strong partnership already with Wrenwoods Girl Scout and her preparation from trainer Jessica Crolick.
“I am so proud of them; they have come so far,” Crolick remarked. “It’s a brand-new pony, it’s her very first horse show, and all new stuff, so I’m so proud. She’s worked so hard to be here.”
Opalewski extended a special thank-you to her parents, Anna and Aaron Opalewski, for helping her get to this very stage, where she hopes there is much more to come. The family, who hails from Rochester, Michigan, enjoyed their first-ever horse show experience and were especially pleased that the results were so positive.
Second-place honors in each class went to Savannah Blaskay and Houdini, a pair that also won the Walk Trot Pleasure class.
More Pony Champions Crowned
Nintendo PS was the big winner in the Large Green Pony Hunter Division with Ella Tarumianz aboard. The duo took championship honors in the division, and Tarumianz also piloted the reserve champion, Best Buddy.
Champion of the Children’s Hunter Pony Small/Medium division was Madeleine Warren with Not So Secret. Jojo Rusins took reserve champion with Shenandoah Nabisco. Amelie Schaeffer and Flower Power were champions in the Children’s Hunter Pony Large division, while Henriette Morris and Tiny Dancer were reserve.
Complete results from all Sunday pony competition are available on Equestrian Digital.
Week four of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival begins Wednesday, with CSIO3* action setting the stage. Fans and competitors can view full schedules, results, and live updates through the Traverse City Horse Shows Mobile App.
