Brian Walker and Tamara 296 claimed victory in the first Grand Prix at HITS Culpeper in the Commonwealth National Show on April 19, going last in the four-rider jump-off to complete the course three seconds faster than second-place finisher Filip De Wandel on his Gentley.
"The course was difficult enough [Sunday] with only four clear, but that worked in my favor," said Walker, after his win. "The jump-off, with long gallops between the jumps, really suited my mare, because she has a huge stride and can cover a lot of ground."
In the shortened course, Walker finished double-clear in 40.776 seconds. He also placed fifth on a newer mount, Katunaro, owned by Ansgar and Ellen Holtgers — with no jumping faults but one time fault in the first round, which kept them from the jump-off.
"I was obviously very happy with [Sunday's] result. Both my horses jumped fantastic," he said. "I am always very thankful for my horses, my sponsors and my team, because it ‘takes a village.’ I am happy to be heading home with the win."
De Wandel and Gentley went second in the jump-off, finishing in 43.860 and shaving just over a second off the time of third-place rider Ian Silitch on Cordovo, owned by Gaston Family Investments LLC, who completed the shortened course in 44.491. Leann Kelly, on Honorway Farm LLC’s Leander, picked up four faults in the jump-off to finish in fourth place.
Kicking off the weekend's competition, Jill Henselwood and Bolero HX, owned by Bradon Equestrian, of Calgary, in Alberta, Canada, took first prize in the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix on Friday.
Competing against a dozen other riders in the jump-off, Henselwood went sixth, cutting time off the four other double-clear times before her. Three other riders went double-clear after Henselwood, but none could beat her time.
"This is a talented young horse who is just beginning to post results in Grand Prix competitions," said Henselwood of the 9-year-old grey gelding, owned by Bradon Equestrian of Calgary. "The Prather family are very proud of Bolero HX (whose dam is Bonita, who won the European Championship with Jessica Kürten)."
Henselwood continued, "Danny Foster built a 15-effort course with enough wide and technically challenging angles in the track. The jump-off consisted of eight more efforts and the competition in Virginia will not disappoint you with their speed. To win was enough risk and all the speed I could gather without faulting."
Riders had 95 seconds to complete the first round, and 55 seconds were allowed for the shortened course. Henselwood finished in 40.626.
Finishing the course just under a second behind Henselwood was Leann Kelly on Leander, owned by Honorway Farm LLC in 41.268 seconds. Kelly went ninth, the last double-clear round, pushing Aaron Vale on Troy Glaus' Quidam's Good Luck into third place.
