Ramiro Quintana won the testing Speed Challenge at the American Gold Cup last year, and he will return with the same mare, Carousel, to defend his title at this year’s event, September 15-18, at the Devon show grounds in Devon, PA. The Speed Challenge is a very exciting class, which pits professionals against juniors and amateurs, and Quintana, who also won this event four years ago, placed first and third in last year’s event.

The five top professionals from their qualifying class on Fast Friday compete in the Saturday evening class, and they face the 15 amateurs and juniors who have also qualified through Friday classes. No junior or amateur has yet won this prestigious and innovative event, but Sarah Segal, who is trained by Olympic Team and Individual Silver medal winner Chris Kappler of Pittstown, NJ, placed second to Quintana last year and will be back to try to make Gold Cup history by emerging victorious this year.

“I’ve had Carousel since she was a six-year-old, so we know each other very well,” said Quintana of the 12-year-old mare owned by Mary B. Schwab of Southampton, NY. “She’s a very fast horse.”

Quintana is bringing two additional horses to the Gold Cup, Caralla, a 9-year-old daughter of Carousel, and Ingaletta, his grand prix mount. “Ingaletta is 11, and I’ve had her since she was seven, so I know her well, too,” said Quintana. “She won the $25,000 Upperville Grand Prix this year, and she placed fourth and sixth at Lake Placid. She’s quite steady. I’m thrilled with her.”

“I’d like to get a good placing in the Gold Cup Grand Prix,” said Quintana. “I’m fourth in the AGA standings now, and I’d like to get more money and more points towards the end-of-year awards. The American Grandprix Association hosts a series of 31 grand prix events in 20 different markets with over $3 million in prize money. End-of-year awards are presented before the final championship class, which is held at The National Horse Show in December in Wellington, FL.

Friday evening at the Gold Cup features the $25,000 Navigator Grand Prix, a World Cup qualifying class and also the qualifying class for the $75,000 American Gold Cup Sunday afternoon. The class begins at 7 p.m. With its all-jumper format, the Gold Cup is very much like a European horse show.

New this year is the FEI Children’s International Jumping Competition, held as the final class both Friday and Saturday afternoons. Saturday’s program includes the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper, the always exciting Pony Jumper Championship and the Adult Amateur Championship. Intermediate, open speed, junior, amateur owner and adult amateur jumper classes are featured Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Saturday is Children’s Day, with pony rides and face painting, and children who take a drawing of one of their pets receive free admission. The exciting, family-oriented weekend includes exclusive boutique shopping, featuring over 40 vendors in the fair area behind the Dixon Oval.

Boxes and reserved seats are still available. Reserved seats range from $5 to $20, depending on the day. General admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 5 to 12. Children under 5 are admitted free. For tickets and information, call (610) 964-9316 or (610) 964-0550, or visit www.americangoldcup.com.


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