Delaney Flynn and Quite Quick (Phelps Media Group, Inc.)

Parker, Colo. - Delaney Flynn and Quite Quick have done it again at Summer in the Rockies. These two won the $5,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic last week, and they returned to the Kathy and Brad Coors Family Grand Prix Arena this Sunday to do the same. They are both fierce competitors, making their pairing a dynamite combination. With years less experience than most other riders who showed against her, the 14-year-old led by almost 2 seconds in her jump-off round.

The course was designed by Hector Loyola and was a tremendous test of adjustability and control. It consisted of many single fences with non-related distances and sharp turns, as well as in-and-outs that led to bending lines or rollback approaches. This course allowed for many different tracks to be ridden, as there were numerous inside and outside paths that could be chosen. These choices allowed competitors to interpret the course in in a way that created the perfect recipe of speed, efficiency and carefulness for their mounts. 

Fourteen horse rider combinations battled for the $5,000 SJHOF High Junior/Amateur Owner Classic top spot. Nine pairs made it through round one free of faults. Out of the clear rounds, Haley Griffis and Cici's Angel were the quickest at 78.077 seconds, followed by Flynn and Quite Quick at 78.426, and Hannah Holik with Ferno Van de Hermitage at 78.473, all well below the time allowed of 84 seconds.

Cici's Angel and Griffis put in a good clear effort of 46.622 seconds in the jump-off, but this proved to be not quite fast enough. Flynn and Quite Quick bumped up to first after their impressively fast and tidy jump-off round which they completed in 42.336 seconds. That pair did not waste any space. Holik and Ferno Van de Hermitage came in a solid second place with a jump-off time of 44.299. Kelli Cruciotti moved up to the third and fourth spots with quick rounds from Charmonix H who completed in 44.766 seconds and Zidante in 46.422.

With the coaching of Bjorn Ikast, Flynn has Quite Quick's ride practically down to a science. According Flynn, the mare has gotten so good at following her directions that she has gotten incredibly brave.

"We really wanted to go clear," said Flynn. "The last few days we have been going a little too fast, so I've been trying to slow down a bit and calm down while staying clear. She has an awesome personality. She listens to everything I say, so it's really nice. She makes me feel really safe."

Flynn, who plans to be a professional one day, has a clear passion for the jumper ring.

"I'm really competitive," said Flynn. "That's why I like the jumpers. I like that there are options and you can focus on you and your horse going around and going clear. I can't see myself doing anything else but horses - it is what I love."

Second place finisher Hannah Holik was very  pleased with Ferno Van de Hermitage, who is a newer mount of hers. According to Holik, he really proved himself and added to her confidence in him. If all continues to go well next week at Summer in the Rockies III, look out for this pair in the $15,000 Open Welcome Stake, as this is their goal.

"I thought the course was pretty technical," said Holik. "The first course and the jump-off were longer, so I was just thinking about keeping pace through the whole thing. I'm still getting to know my horse, so I just wanted to go smooth and clear. I thought he was really good. After the second jump in the jump-off, which I left a little long to, he turned on a dime, so I was really proud of him there."