When Laurie Jakubauskas entered the Tavern on the Green Ring at the Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic on Friday, September 7, it was readily apparent that they were the ones to watch. Despite the withering heat, both were fresh and eager to go. It's no surprise that they won their classes back-to-back.

First to go was Vixen, who captured the blue in the $750 Five-Year-Old Jumpers. Vixen is a very fast mare who just started jumping in April. "She can't go slowly. She's fun and is similar to riding a wild roller coaster," said Jakubauskas." The bay Dutch Warmblood was bred for owner Lee Miller. "She wanted a nice quiet hunt horse for her daughter to ride. "Instead, the promising jumper has a lot of bounce, like a kangaroo! I think she'll go far," she added.

Next in the $1,000 William A. Berry and Son Six-Year-Old Jumpers Level Six class. Ricochet, ridden by Andrew Ross for owner Laurie Jakubauskas, looked like a winner as he sailed over the jumps. And with Ross's guidance, he took the lead early in the class. Jakubauskas foaled Richochet by breeding her grand prix mare to the famed stallion Galloubet. "He's a strong horse, and he's very mature for his age," she said.

The William A. Berry and Son-sponsored class brought out some of the top riders, including Schuyler Riley riding Upsilon, who took second place, and Candace King riding Skara Glen's Palenque, who took third place.

Friday was a full day for spectators, who were able to watch riders warming up on one side of the grandstand seating, and the competition on the other. The tented grandstands kept the heat at bay. The riders and horses seemed unfazed by the heat until late afternoon. Hillary Dobbs, with five horses to ride, seemed cool in her navy blue coat until she had nearly finished riding for the day. She took a break in the shade of the riders' tent with trainer Missy Clark. Even with the weather perfect, it was just a great day to be in South Hamilton, MA.