Shulman (22) piloted Venice, a 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare owned by Jill Shulman, to one of five clear rounds over a speed track built by Alan Wade (IRL). Stopping the clock at 69.121 seconds gave her the win over Jordan Coyle (IRL), who rode his own Harakin Z to second place in 71.124 seconds. Shulman was also third riding Wamira, owned by BCF Group, LLC, with a time of 71.916 seconds. Ian McFarlane (USA) was fourth riding Cora 572 for Buribbons, LLC, in 72.921 seconds, and Ailish Cunniffe (USA) rounded out the top five with a time of 74.400 seconds aboard Baloucento 2 for owner Whipsick Farm.
Friday’s class marked Venice’s return to the 1.45m level after a series of health issues sidelined the mare for more than two years. The horse suffered from kidney failure just eight months after joining Shulman’s string. After making a miraculous comeback, the mare then underwent colic surgery last summer.
“She is extremely special,” said Shulman. “Anytime I get to ride her I am so lucky because she was not supposed to be alive after either situation. I feel really lucky that she is back doing this, and winning is icing on the cake.
“I have never had a horse that wants to win more than I do,” continued Shulman. “She tries so hard and has the biggest heart. She wants to win every single class she goes in, and that is a really cool feeling. The more you run her, the better she jumps, so for speed classes she is so game.”
Shulman competes regularly in the Under 25 Jumper Division, which was formed as a way to bridge the gap between junior competition and the grand prix level.
“I think it is an amazing division,” she said. “These horses are not ready to jump the two-star and three-star grand prix, but it is nice to be able to compete them at the 1.45m level against similar horses. I wish they offered this division at every horse show, because it is such a good stepping stone for up-and-coming horses and riders.”
For second place rider Jordan Coyle, Friday’s courses offered some familiarity for him and the horse Harakin Z, which he co-owns with his brother Daniel.
“I have known Alan Wade for a long time because he built a lot of courses back in Ireland, and I have jumped many of his tracks before,” said 24-year-old Coyle, who is now based out of North Salem, NY, as a rider for Old Salem Farm. “It was really nice to see his courses here in the U.S., and they worked out really well for me today. My horse is very careful, and we were able to show that off a little.”
Earlier in the day on Friday, Shulman also won the $6,500 Open Jumper 1.35m riding Villamoura for Jill Shulman, and Adrienne Sternlicht topped the $2,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper class aboard Hope Street, owned by Starlight Farms, LLC.
Closing out the day on the Grand Prix Field, crowds gathered for the $5,000 Grooms’ Class, presented by Old Salem Farm. Awards in both a hunter and jumper section were presented with Heritage Farm groom Humberto Valadez taking home the hunter win with Fetching, owned by Lexi Maounis, and Christopher Cook winning the jumper honors with Tina La Boheme, owned by Susie Heller and McLain Ward.
