“I think getting three (horses) in the jump-off was just a product of having good horses that were well-prepared,” Judge said, of going clear in Round 1 with each mount, in a field of 36 entries. He added that walking the course with Olympian McLain Ward, who trains Judge and also rides for Double H Farm in Ridgefield, Connecticut, helped him as well. “Three chances – it took the last horse to get it right,” Judge said.
“It was a big class. It was tough competition. About a fifth of the class went clear – and Leslie Howard, Laura Chapot and McLain Ward are always hard to beat in any class,” he continued.
In the jump-off, the second through fourth rounds were clear, and each time trimmed seconds off the previous entry. Judge went first on HH Quatour, but eight faults put them in 10th place. Schuyler Riley went next on Q7, owned by Wolfstone Stables & Sales, Inc., finishing in 50.234 seconds to place sixth. Margie Engle went next on Bockmanns Lazio, owned by Elm Rock LLC, and completed the course in 47.775, ultimately taking fifth.
Leslie Howard went fourth on Utah, owned by The Utah Group, and shaved even more time to set a new Great American Time to Beat at 45.283 seconds, which held up through five more rounds until Judge’s last turn in the ring moved Howard into second place, and Judge left as the victor and owner of the blue ribbon.