Kemp and Hyperion du Stiquot climb the standings across three phases to capture a championship she spent the year working toward
Traverse City, MI — Jennifer Kemp has been planning her entire year around the Marshall & Sterling/USHJA 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal Final, and she made the year-long effort worthwhile on Sunday of week two of the Tournament of Champions, taking the win.
Aboard her partner Hyperion du Stiquot, Kemp rode to a score of 377 across the three phases, rising from a lower position after the first phase and finishing strong.
“My favorite part was the gymnastics phase,” Kemp said of the three phases. “The course was amazing this year. There were so many technical aspects demonstrating different strides and the options of which jumps to jump. I think that’s where he shined the most too. We had some ground to make up and I think that took some pressure off. We just started having fun and doing our thing.”
Kemp and Hyperion du Stiquot have had a five-year partnership that has seen several disciplines for them as they have both grown through the sport.
“We actually started in the jumper ring so this lends itself really well to him since he started as a jumper,” the Columbus, OH, native explained. “He turned into an equitation horse as I got older and didn’t want to do the big jumps anymore. He’s really well prepped for this. We do a lot of bending lines and different technical aspects in our lessons at home. That helped to get us prepped for the phases this weekend.”
Heading into the work-off, which decided final placings, Kemp knew she had a tough course ahead of her but was able to switch her mindset at the last minute to make the round work well.
“Luckily since I got to watch one go I could see the time allowed was really tight,” she explained. “So I knew I had to go for it and stay inside everywhere and keep my pace. I went from thinking it was a handy round in a derby to a real jump-off. We were very close, I think a tenth of a second under.”
Kemp and the other riders in Sunday’s championship are enjoying more opportunities to shine in adult equitation than ever before. Kemp works full time as a CFO for an auto insurance company, so work and riding keep her very busy, but she’s managed the balancing act quite well.
“I love all these finals for adults,” she shared. “I never got to do the equitation as a junior so having the opportunity to do this now as an adult with all the options we have is so nice. I love to have goals and work towards them. I especially love the Jump Seat Medal and the technical aspects of it. This win means a lot.”
With her preparation having paid off, Kemp and Hyperion are done for the season, planning to return home and set goals for the coming year. 2027 will definitely bring a return to Traverse City.
“We haven’t been up here since 2008 so it looks very different,” she remarked of Flintfields Horse Park. “It’s amazing up here and we love it here so much. I didn’t recognize anything, in a good way. It’s much more built up, the show facility is pristine. I’m glad I came back and I’ll be back next year for sure.”
Second-place honors in the Marshall & Sterling/USHJA 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal Final went to Hannah Eddlemon, on a total score of 374.5. Eddlemon’s horse, Curb Service, owned by Don Stewart, was named Best Equitation Horse for its performance in the championship. Brian C. Shook earned third place on a score of 369.5.
Just one week remains in the Tournament of Champions, beginning Wednesday, September 16. Highlights include the $340,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup CSI5* – W Traverse City for the American Gold Cup, presented by Frank & Eileen, and the $20,000 Frank & Eilleen 3’ Adult Equitation Challenge.
Fans and competitors can view full schedules, results, and live updates through the Traverse City Horse Shows Mobile App.
