After earning reserve champion in the same division in 2016 at the Devon Horse Show, Tomeu was determined to return to Devon in 2017 with her sights set on the championship.
The talented pair are no strangers to the winner’s circle as they captured back-to-back victories in the North American League (NAL) Adult Amateur Jumper Final at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in 2014 and 2015. However, this year, they were finally able to add the Adult Amateur Jumper championship at the Devon Horse Show to their list of accomplishments.
Tomeu, who trains with Michael DelFiandra and Ali and Shane Sweetnam out of Sweet Oak Farm, and the 16-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding kicked off their week at Devon on Sunday with a blue ribbon in the first class of the division, besting an original starting field of 20 horses and riders and a 14-horse jump-off. They continued their winning ways on in to Monday’s second round of competition, finishing with the fastest double-clear effort once again out of 17 contenders.
Monday evening’s $7,500 NAL/WIHS Adult Amateur Jumper Classic saw 10 combinations jump clear over the Kelvin Bywater-designed course to advance to the jump-off, and it was Kendra Sue Walmer and Andrew Ross’ Electra who outpaced the competition to take home the Devon blue. Walmer was awarded the reserve championship for her top performances, while Tomeu grabbed the tricolor as well as the Judy Hill Groves Memorial Challenge Trophy to conclude the Adult Amateur Jumper division.
Lindsey Tomeu
On her win:
“It was like a fairy tale, really. Last year we came and I was first and second, and then had an unfortunate rail in the classic. I came trying to be better than that so I would say I succeeded because I was reserve champion last year. It would’ve been an amazing feat to win all three classes, and that’s what I was going for, but things happen. [Bonapart] went beautifully. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. To go home with two blues and a champion ribbon from Devon is anybody’s dream!”
