Plenty of Apples are in order for Manhattan VDL, topping an impressive list of jump-off contenders
Taylor Madden felt she hadn’t earned a big win in a while, but on Sunday of week four of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented by B&D Builders, her time came again in the $24,999 1.40-1.45m Jumper Classic. Aboard Manhattan VDL, she was the quickest of 13 jump-off efforts, securing the win over an accomplished jump-off field.
“It feels really good,” Madden said of her win Sunday. “I haven’t won anything in a while but I won in my junior career and then went to college. I got this horse as a 7-year-old so I’ve been developing him. He’s been moving up to the three-stars but I did this class to give him a bit of a lower jump this week. It feels good to win something.”
Sunday’s course, designed by Peter Grant, proved competitive, with the top 30 finishers recording five faults or fewer. Madden rose to the challenge. Coming home in 31.435 seconds, she ended up being impossible to beat.
Coming close was previous winner of this class Victoria Colvin with Gemino, who placed second with a time of 32.290 seconds. Erynn Ballard ended up third with Ashley de Talm, in 33.083 seconds.
Manhattan VDL, aptly nicknamed “Apple”, is a 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Dallas VDL x Broere VDL Corland) and has been paired with Madden for the past two years. Like many riders, Madden chose to step down this week with Apple to boost his confidence heading back into international competition for the end of GLEF.
“Next week we’re going to jump the three-star,” she went on. “He jumped it two weeks ago and he was fourth in the Welcome so he’s been doing very well.”
Madden is a regular in Traverse City over the summers, along with her entire team at Capital Hill Show Stables.
“I’ve been coming here since 2018; we just love it,” she said of Traverse City Horse Shows. “The weather’s beautiful, the town is great, and it’s a fun place to be for a set amount of weeks. We usually spend a couple months here. The show is great; every year it gets better. When I came here there were fewer rings and now a lot more people are here and it’s becoming such a great show with a lot of top-name riders.”
Madden also extended gratitude to the team at Plain Bay Farm: Katie and Henri Prudent and Ericka Houlihan.
Samantha Schaefer receives the Turnham Green Leading Lady Rider Award
Alfredo Maya Wins MeadowView Farm Groom’s Class
Alfredo Maya earned top honors in the MeadowView Farm Groom’s Class during week four of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival. Maya was recognized for his outstanding horsemanship and turnout while presenting Small Love, owned by Augusta Iwasaki and Liz Reilly. The annual class celebrates the dedication, professionalism, and care that grooms bring to the sport each day, both in and out of the competition ring.
Week five of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival begins Wednesday with the FEI North American Youth Championships alongside CSI3* competition. NAYC athletes will present at the horse inspection Tuesday ahead of the first championship divisions on Wednesday. Fans and competitors can view full schedules, results, and live updates through the Traverse City Horse Shows Mobile App.
