New to the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented by B&D Builders, for the 2024 season, the first Non-Pro 1.10m Jumper Challenge series came to a close on Saturday, August 10 after six weeks of competition. Five teams took to the first round of the final in hopes of making the top four and vying for a medal. Four teams returned for a second round, coming down to a head-to-head jump-off for gold. Ultimately, it was team Barney’s Babes who took the win.
With a drop score, Barney’s Babes stood on zero faults coming out of the second round, holding a tie with Team Hirt. The fate of Barney’s Babes stood in the hands of Sonia Talwar (Hoffman Estates, IL) as she jumped off against Team Hirt’s Ava Garvin (Empire, MI) for the win.
“My plan was to just cut as tight as I could for those inside turns. My horse has a big stride that definitely opens up even more in this ring,” said Talwar of her own 2013 Dutch Warmblood gelding, Invicta. “I was just focused on doing those inside turns. I knew he had two rounds doing the same course, so I wanted to make sure he knew where he was going and be really direct with those slices; give him a little cluck off the ground and make sure he comes with me.”
Talwar and Invicta spoke the same language as they soared through the jump-off, ultimately crossing the timers slightly faster than Team Hirt’s representative.
Talwar’s performance secured gold for her team, Barney’s Babes, represented by Talwar alongside Barney Jacob (Lake Angelus, MI) and his own Deo Volente; Isabelle Ehman (Milton, GA) and Trending, owned by ThinksLikeAHorse; and Emily Ainslie (Venice, FL) and Neo, owned by Plain Bay Farm.
“I love the team format,” said Barney Jacob. “Before two weeks ago, I’d never done it and it was wonderful. I love meeting new people and being with my barn at Plain Bay is very exciting. At my age, every day is a blessing so I’m glad to be able to do it.”
Team Hirt took silver, represented by Ava Garvin and Hawai Balia NL, owned by Michael Williamson; Grace Briskey (Howell, MI) and Cadalena 2, owned by ANRO Sport Horses LLC; Vonda Povich (Miromar Lakes, FL) and Amite Des Douches, owned by Ashland Farms; and Alexa McVoy (Grand Haven, MI) and Peninsula Emerald Lass, owned by Melissa Hirt.
Team Plain Bay Babes, who have had a podium finish throughout the entire team challenge series, took home the bronze medal. The team finished on four faults over the two rounds represented by Lori Bidwell (Lexington, KY) and Nim, owned by Five O’Clock Farm; Breeze Kaye (Phoenix, AZ) and Ferry van de Hoogeweg, owned by Plain Bay Sales; Dorothy Cox (Athens, TX) and her own Blue Bella; and Laurel Walker (Copper Canyon, TX) and Conajita, owed by Dorothy Cox.
For many riders, the team challenge series was a first exposure to the team class format in the equestrian sport, allowing riders to better understand what formats are seen at the top of the sport.
“I really enjoyed being able to work with other people,” said Ehman.
“It was just a lot of fun to be able to encourage the others,” said fellow teammate, Ainslie.
2024 GLEF jumper action will come to a close on Sunday with the $120,000 Four G Surfaces CSI3* Grand Prix in the Turtle Creek Hotel & Casino International Ring.
For full results, click here.
Kelsey Epperson and Didgereedoo VDL Capture Final $20,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Win of 2024 Great Lakes Equestrian Festival
It wouldn’t be a summer at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF) without at least one hunter derby victory from the fan-favorite pairing of Kelsey Epperson and Didgereedoo VDL. Not having yet captured a win in the 2024 season, Epperson and the gelding laid down a pair of flawless trips on the penultimate day of GLEF VI to take home the season’s elusive top ribbon. GLEF VI is the final week of an action-packed summer at the Flintfields Horse Park, featuring a wide range of hunter, jumper, and equitation competition. The Holly, Michigan native and Lashier Properties LLC’s 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (by Zavall VDL) have long since been one of the most beloved pairs at the show, and that fact remained as they capped off their summer with a combined score of 187 points across the two courses.
Two dozen entries lined up to contest the Classic round of the two-phase event, and attempted their best efforts of a flawless round in an effort to score high enough to return for the Handy portion. The top 12 highest-scoring combinations came back in reverse order for round two, and Epperson sat, uncomfortably, in second place after splitting the difference between Augusta Iwasaki’s Magic in the Making and Small Love, who sat in first and third, respectively.
“I was very nervous being sandwiched between Augusta’s first and third scores coming back for the second round,” admitted Epperson. “I just sort of watched her to see how risky I needed to be. I had several different options for a plan – one risky, one safe – and after I watched a lot of the rounds I knew I just needed to go smooth and keep it safe and hope for the best.”
Epperson’s strategy paid off as she secured an equally-high mark of 94 points in the Handy to pair with her score of 93 in the Classic round to become the new frontrunner. Taking home scores of 83 and 91 for a two-round total of 174 points left Eleanor Louise Hellman (Franklin, TN) on a 13-point deficit from Epperson, but still with a high enough score for second place aboard her own 10-year-old gelding, Malibu Ken (by Casall). Young rider Isabelle Ehman (Milton, GA) picked up the third place ribbon with Plain Bay Sales‘ 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Labalou (by Luchador), after totaling 173 points over the two rounds.
While a win at Traverse City Horse Shows is always a nice treat, Epperson said she gets the most joy out of joining “Diddy” in what he loves to do.
“Diddy is feeling really good and he’s had a nice relaxing summer,” she laughed. “He just likes to feel important, so he enjoys himself at home and gets cookies, and then comes to the horse show when we want. We try to do minimal classes with him and it’s just fun to bring him out. He likes to do it and I like to do it on him, so it’s just a joy when we get to do it together.”
The final day of GLEF VI will resume on Sunday, August 11 with featured events including the $120,000 CSI3* Grand Prix and the Traverse City Equitation Challenge 3’3”. For full results, please click here.
