It was a great day for Ashe who had a top finish on two horses. Thirty entries went to post in the power and speed format class over a course designed by Ana Catalina Harris of Mexico. Clear in both phases of the course, Ashe and Balous Day Date, a 13-year-old Oldenburg mare by Balou du Rouet x Domino, sped to the win in a time of 27.53 seconds.
Ashe and Picobello Choppin PC, a 10-year-old SBS gelding by Mozart des Hayettes x Diamant de Semilly, were close behind in second with a time of 27.90 seconds. Third place went to Jose Roberto Reynoso (BRA) on Tanita de Galeste, owned by Franck Henouda, in 28.04 seconds.
“I couldn’t be happier with her,” Ashe said of Balous Day Date, her partner of more than three years. “She hadn’t been in a small venue in awhile, so it was sort of out of nowhere. She handled it great. She’s pretty true to any venue actually. She’s pretty experienced. It’s nice to have a horse like that when you change it up like this.”
Balous Day Date is celebrating her 13th birthday today. Ashe described the mare as “hot and feisty,” but “very direct to the jumps.”
“Everything feels like you’re in fast forward,” she said.
Returning from time off in 2017, Ashe is pointing Balous Day Date towards her next class, the $35,000 Hollow Creek Farm 1.50m Classic on the grass derby field on Saturday.
“She’s just getting going again,” said Ashe. “We’re doing it week by week, but I think she feels great. She’s been stepping right up to the plate every time out, so hopefully we’ll do bigger classes here before the end of circuit.”
Picobello Choppin PC is a barn favorite at Louisburg Farm due to his engaging personality. Ashe has been working with him for three years, having started in the 7 Year Old Young Jumpers.
“Every time out he gives his all, and he winds up near the top of the class, usually in the ribbons,” she said.
“They’re both very fast horses. ‘Chops’ spends a bit more time in the air than [Balous Day Date],” compared Ashe. “He goes up high, and she’s like a bullet. It’s similar, but we waste a little time in the air with Chops, which is how they beat him sometimes.”
“I was super happy with both of them,” she concluded. “It’s a nice win for (owner) Beth (Johnson). She’s been such a great supporter, and for everyone at Louisburg Farm who has put in so much time and effort, it’s always nice when it comes out that way.”
It was another one-two finish in the $6,000 Bainbridge 1.40m Jumpers with Winn Alden (USA) taking home the top two spots on Ensor van het Moleneind, owned by Richard Cheska, and Southern Arches LLC’s Presley. Third place went to Laura Chapot and ISHD Dual Star.