Victoria Colvin and Monsieur Du Reverdy (Phelps Media Group, Inc.)

Lexington, Ky. - Earlier in the day, the jumper action kicked off with the Deeridge Farm $10,000 Junior Jumper Welcome Stake. Eight combinations traversed the track without fault, but it was Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, who proved to have the key to winning aboard her own Monsieur Du Reverdy. After competing in last week's WIHS Equitation Classic, they transitioned back to the jumper ring, and Colvin utilized her mount's improved rideability to best the track in 61.967 seconds and led the victory gallop.

"He was turning and not jumping as high as usual because we needed to make him ride like a hunter for the equitation," explained Colvin. "I think he made up time by going forward over the jumps and he turned really fast. I've never won a jumper class here, so it's pretty nice to have won the first one. After doing the equitation I wasn't sure if he would clear the fences, but he did! It was amazing."

Katherine Strauss was the last to show with her veteran partner Chellando Z, and although they carefully left strides out and left each rail in place, they fell two seconds short of Colvin's time in 63.465 seconds for the second place honors. Kalvin Dobbs and Winde, owned by Treesdale Farms, were two seconds slower than Strauss, stopping the clock at 65.145 seconds for third place during the speed class. Charlotte Jacobs and Kachina, owned by Deeridge Farms, rounded out the top four with a clear round in 65.600 seconds.

The Chansonette Farm $10,000 Amateur-Owner Jumper Welcome Stake was up next, and the riders showed over the same speed course to determine the winning combination. Adrienne Sternlicht and Quidam MB set the bar very high midway through the class, easily clearing all of the obstacles and tripping the timers at 66.597 seconds to go to the top of the leader board.

Melissa Rundershuasen entered the Alltech Arena next with Gunner, and while it looked like they might take the lead, 1/10th of a second separated them from Sternlicht as they stopped the clock at 66.656 seconds for the second place honors. Katie Dinan was the last to show with the Grant Road Partners' Vancouver, but they also fell just shy of Stenlicht with a faultless round in 67.211 seconds to round out the top three and seal Sternlicht's victory.

"Since there weren't that many options in the course, I tried to shave off my turns and keep a galloping pace through the course and everything came up really nicely," smiled Sternlicht. "I thought the course was technical for a speed, but it should be because this is a prestigious show. Quidam MB is only 8 years old, and this is his first show inside. I am a bit green to showing inside, as well, and I haven't been to Kentucky since I did the ponies. Overall it was a really great experience and I am really proud of him."