Devon, PA – July 5, 2012 – The Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers and NAL/WIHS Child/Adult Jumper Classic took center stage in the Gold Ring this afternoon during the Brandywine Valley Summer Series horse show, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS). Molly Wolfe aboard ZZ Top’s double clear effort in Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers garnered a blue ribbon, while Autumn Janesky and Peper Gold followed with a win in the NAL/WIHS Child/Adult Jumper Classic.
The first jumper division to be seen today was the Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers, where Molly Wolfe of Owings Mills, MD and her own ZZ Top jumped-off to the win. The duo was the first to show over today’s track, where they turned in double clear rounds and a very speedy jump-off time of 29.332 seconds, nearly three seconds faster than the second place finisher. Taking home the red ribbon with two fault free trips and a jump-off time of 32.104 seconds was Khyron with owner Stacey Davis of Princeton, NJ in the irons. Kendall Casaccio and Love Actually, an entry owned by Laura King of Irvington, NY, jumped off to a time of 36.489 seconds. They were the final double clear duo in the class, good for third place.
“ZZ Top is an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood. We got him about a year and a half ago and he’s been one of my favorite horses that I’ve had so far,” smiled Wolfe. “He likes a very forward ride, he doesn’t like to be pulled on at all. He’s very picky as to where he wants to be placed at a jump, so that’s what’s difficult about him, but otherwise he’s great.”
Wolfe continued, “He was really clean and very forward in the first round, and I just did the same thing in the second round. Going into the jump-off, I just tried to be as quick, neat and tidy as I could.”
The NAL/WIHS Child/Adult Jumper Classic closed out the afternoon in the Gold Ring. The course proved to be a challenge to many. The two combinations, multiple bending lines, and inside turn options left little room for error. Madeline Jefferson and 2oodles, a pony owned by Leigh Berman of Bayertown, PA, were the first pair to go double clear. They set the bar high with a quick jump-off time of 40.755 seconds, which would eventually land them in second place. After seeing Jefferson’s time to beat, Autumn Janesky and Peper Gold knew they would have to go clear in both rounds and put in a very speedy jump-off time to best Jefferson. This skilled duo rose to the occasion, turning in two clear rounds with an impressive short course. They made all the inside turns and sliced the jumps whenever possible to leave out strides and shave off seconds from their time. Janesky and Peper Gold stopped the clock at a mere 37.635 seconds, launching them into first place. Peper Gold is owned by Angelstone Farms out of Rockwood, Ontario.
Following in Janesky’s footsteps proved to be a challenge. Only one other rider managed to finish double clear, but she could not beat Janesky’s outstanding jump-off time. Riding into third place with a time of 44.340 seconds was Margretta Willemin and Kobus, an entry of Cassie Plumb from Unionville, PA.
“It was really exciting. It was pretty hot and the heat was kind of getting to me, but I tried to work through it and it seemed to go well. My plan for the jump-off was to let my horse walk a little so he could catch his breath because it was tough, and then just try to go fast,” noted Janesky. “My horse is awesome, he pretty much does whatever I want. He’s one of the greatest horses I have ever had. He’s just so sweet and nice. You don’t need a lot of leg or hand, he’s just right there for you.”
Janesky added, “This is my first time at Brandywine. I like the rings and I like how they hand out the ribbons in the ring and they make it a little more special than most horse shows do.”
This week’s jumper divisions at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series will conclude tomorrow with the $5,0000 High Junior/Amateur Owner Show Jumping Hall of Fame Classic, and the $3000 NAL Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. There will also be Marshall and Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic earlier in the day in the Dixon Oval at the historic Devon Show Grounds.
For more information about the Brandywine Valley Summer Series, please visit http://brandywinevalleysummerseries.com.
Photo Credit: Autumn Janesky and Peper Gold won the NAL/WIHS Child/Adult Jumper Classic at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Photo By: AnLi Kelly-Durham/PMG. Photo may only be used in relation to this PMG press release.