A field of 68 contested the Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round 4, looking to punch their ticket into Sunday afternoon’s $214,000 Marshall & Sterling/Great American Insurance Group Grand Prix CSI4*. With 16 jumping efforts in the first round, a total of 15 entries mastered the track set by Anderson Lima (BRA) to qualify for the jump-off, with two combinations opting not to return. In the subsequent round, Heers and the 11-year-old Selle Français stallion by Diamant de Semilly x Jarnac emerged victorious in a time of 38.98 seconds.
“Antidote is extremely fast,” said Heers. “I don’t worry too much about leaving out strides; I try to just get in a rhythm and where I have to make adjustments, I have to make adjustments. It’s kind of the way the cookie crumbles on this field. I just do my best, focus on making good turns, and the rest is going to fall into place when you’re going that fast.”The 34-year-old rider spoke fondly of her partner in the ring, singing his praises for being such a solid teammate. When asked what makes him so special, the answer was simple.
“Everything,” she said with a giant smile across her face. “For me the most incredible part is his mind. He’s scopey, talented, careful, and brave, but the best part is, he’s just the kindest soul. He’s very intelligent and never wants to put a foot wrong. I’m incredibly grateful for him.”The competition gave it a good effort to try to catch the day’s leading lady, but it couldn’t be done. Daniel Deusser (GER) came closest aboard the Stephex Stables entry Killer Queen VDM. He and the 11-year-old BWP mare by Eldorado Vd Zeshoek x Derly Chin De Muze stopped the clock at 39.23 seconds. Laura Kraut (USA) and Fleurette, owned by St. Bride’s Farm, gave it a solid run as well, as she and the 12-year-old Selle Francais mare crossed the finish line in 39.55 seconds.
A field of 68 contested the Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round 4, looking to punch their ticket into Sunday afternoon’s $214,000 Marshall & Sterling/Great American Insurance Group Grand Prix CSI4*. With 16 jumping efforts in the first round, a total of 15 entries mastered the track set by Anderson Lima (BRA) to qualify for the jump-off, with two combinations opting not to return. In the subsequent round, Heers and the 11-year-old Selle Français stallion by Diamant de Semilly x Jarnac emerged victorious in a time of 38.98 seconds.
“Antidote is extremely fast,” said Heers. “I don’t worry too much about leaving out strides; I try to just get in a rhythm and where I have to make adjustments, I have to make adjustments. It’s kind of the way the cookie crumbles on this field. I just do my best, focus on making good turns, and the rest is going to fall into place when you’re going that fast.”The 34-year-old rider spoke fondly of her partner in the ring, singing his praises for being such a solid teammate. When asked what makes him so special, the answer was simple.
“Everything,” she said with a giant smile across her face. “For me the most incredible part is his mind. He’s scopey, talented, careful, and brave, but the best part is, he’s just the kindest soul. He’s very intelligent and never wants to put a foot wrong. I’m incredibly grateful for him.”The competition gave it a good effort to try to catch the day’s leading lady, but it couldn’t be done. Daniel Deusser (GER) came closest aboard the Stephex Stables entry Killer Queen VDM. He and the 11-year-old BWP mare by Eldorado Vd Zeshoek x Derly Chin De Muze stopped the clock at 39.23 seconds. Laura Kraut (USA) and Fleurette, owned by St. Bride’s Farm, gave it a solid run as well, as she and the 12-year-old Selle Francais mare crossed the finish line in 39.55 seconds.