Alexandra Beaumont and Undergrad (The Book LLC)

North Salem, N.Y. - Sometimes when things fall into place, they really click. For Alexandra Beaumont of Ridgefield, CT, Thursday was when she and her horse Undergrad put the pieces together. It led to their first-ever over fences blue ribbons, but more than that, it took them to the division tricolor and Grand Adult Hunter Championship during the second week of the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows. On the Grand Prix Field, Laura Bowery of Bridgehampton, NY, rode Vanhattan to the fastest round in the $3,000 Open Jumper 1.30m class.

The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows run May 6-11 and May 13–18 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. The shows feature over 130 hunter and jumper classes each week, bringing together top competitors, including Olympic show jumpers, from across the country to compete for almost $500,000 in prize money.

Beaumont and Undergrad, owned by Brook Farm LLC, won two over fences classes, as well as place second and fifth. As is their habit, they also took the blue ribbon in the under saddle to win the Adult Amateur 36-45 Hunter division championship. Reserve champion was Blair Balmer, who rode Deer Hill Farm's Black Tie to first, first, third, and fifth over fences and second place under saddle.

eaumont found Undergrad, a six-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Sandro Hit x Donnerhall two years ago, just three months after he had been brought over from Europe by Walk the Line LLC. Originally thought to be a top dressage prospect, Undergrad had passed his 30-day and 70-day stallion testing. He was gelded in the United States, and when Beaumont saw him, she knew she had to have him.

“I did everything you're not supposed to do,” Beaumont laughed. “I found him, I fell in love with him. My trainers said he was too green. I dreamt about him. I didn't ever win a (jumping) class until today! I've never had a horse that more people and trainers have told me they loved, that I couldn't get a prize on. He's always won the hack, and that's been amazing. He's just turned six, and he's learning his job. He's so green and young. He's been really close.”

Something clicked this week, and it helped that they were able to get clean lead changes. “He knew his job a little bit more this week. It was him learning to keep his balance in the canter,” Beaumont explained. “Since we've owned him, he's grown almost three inches. I think he's like a child; he's a little gawky, and it was a little bit hard for him to figure out where his legs were half the time! He's just figuring it out.”

Undergrad, who is called “Sheldon” in the barn, has always had a great personality. “He's like a black Lab. He would come sleep in my room in a dog bed next to me if I let him, without a doubt,” Beaumont said. “He's really easy in the barn and comical. We try to do what works for him. We get a real kick out of him, and he knows it. He nickers hello and goodbye to me every day. He's so over-loved it's crazy. ”

For her success this week, Beaumont gave thanks to trainers Molly Flaherty and Patty Peckham of Arcadia Farm, as well as Jenny Fischer, who piloted him in the Pre-Green 3'3” Hunters.