Isabel Coleman and Pistol (Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group)
The Children's Jumper Classic was up first with 54 competitors showing over Richard Jeffery's track. Thirteen advanced to the jump-off, but only eight were able to produce a second clear effort. Madison Charlton set the original time to beat with Petit Flipper, besting the course in a clear 36.882 seconds. Avery Hinson was the first to beat her, riding Vaillant to clear round one second faster in 35.817 with quick turns a fast gallop.
Coleman was one of the last to show with Pistol, and they put themselves on track for a win when they were able to roll back sharply through each turn. A hard slice to the second to last fence almost cost them the win though when they had to take the outside turn to the final oxer. They picked up the pace and galloped home, beating Hinson by just fractions in a time of 35.465 seconds.
"The plan was to go inside for the second to last jump, but I blew that plan. So I knew I needed to make up time and go really fast to the last jump," admitted Coleman after her round. The risk to the final jump paid off as she took home the blue ribbon with 22-year-old Pistol, whom she's been riding for over a year.
"He needs a lot of hand so that you stay connected with his mouth and so he can fire over the jump," explained Coleman. "He's a little quiet so you need a lot of leg, but he's really fun"
Coleman is based in New Orleans, Louisiana, riding with Sean and Livia Steffee at Sandy Creek Stables. She has already won two NAL/WIHS Children's Jumper Classics this year and is aiming the mount that was found for her by Aaron Vale toward Indoors this year.
The Adult Jumper Classic was up next, and although Sydney Crenshaw was the first to show with Camera Ready, watching the Children's Jumper Classic paid off. They were able to advance to the jump-off and post the best time of the day by taking every inside turn and opening up the mare's large stride. They galloped over the final obstacle in a clear 33.174 seconds, setting a mark that the other riders would fin uncatchable. Lindsay Tomeu gave it a try with Cilke Quality SC, but their time of 35.978 seconds would only be good enough for second place. Diego Morales rounded out the top three, piloting Tropbella 3K to a double clear effort in 37.263 seconds.
"I did watch a couple, but ultimately I went in there and knew my plan and tried to execute it," said Crenshaw. "I did all the inside turns, and she turned great and was really fast."
Crenshaw is Sports Management major at the University of Georgia, but she enjoys having the opportunity to ride Camera Ready for owner Cathy Coffey of Fit To Print Farm.
"We imported her from Germany three years ago," noted Coffey. "Camera Ready is great. She loves her job, loves to go to work and is just a pleasure. She is a horse of a lifetime."
Crenshaw and Camera Ready are also focused on qualifying for Indoors this fall, but they enjoyed having the opportunity to show at the Kentucky Horse Park. "It's so pretty here; all the rings are really nice, and the people are really great," she expressed.
RESULTS:
NAL/WIHS Children's Jumper Classic
1 370 PISTOL ISABEL COLEMAN 0 35.465
2 533 VAILLANT AVERY P HINSON 0 35.817
3 301 PETIT FLIPPER MADISON CHARLTON 0 36.882
4 374 TALULA SARA DEES 0 38.120
5 1459 CAPONE 21 CHARLOTTE CURREY 0 38.796
6 1598 SAUNDER'S SPARKIE JESSICA GOLLEL 0 40.518
7 1556 VAROM BELLE FULMER 0 41.230
8 454 SCOUT BRILEY KOERNER 0 44.893
NAL/WIHS Adult Jumper Classic
1 1070 CAMERA READY SYDNEY CRENSHAW 0 33.174
2 697 CILKE QUALITY SC LINDSEY TOMEU 0 35.978
3 1383 TROPOBELLA 3K DIEGO MORALES 0 37.263
4 1292 QUINCY LINDSAY WOLF 0 39.198
5 1572 MEIKE SARAH TURNER 0 42.454
6 794 TIPPITOO VICTORIA LOWELL 4 36.819
7 1881 FORGET ME KNOT KATHRYN KANTES 4 42.794
8 1914 ROULETTE LUCIANA QUINONES 4 44.650