Nusz and Jacobs receive their awards from (l-r)
Allan Shore, Treasurer of the National Horse Show Association of America;
George Morris, President of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame;
and Bill Weeks of Taylor Harris Insurance Services (PMG)
The Show Jumping Hall of Fame also honored Meagan Nusz of Woodlands, TX and Charlotte Jacobs of East Aurora, NY, who topped the East Conference standings of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series’ Amateur-Owner and Junior divisions respectively.
There was a tense jump-off in the $50,000 Championship after 10 horses posted clear first rounds. The first clear performance of the jump-off came from Nusz aboard Vesuvius, the horse on which she won the Series title. The pair raced through the course to finish with a time of 33.120 seconds to put them in the lead. Nusz knew she still had serious competition as McArdle and Cosma 20 were next to go.
“Knowing Abby was going after me, I had to be careful about not having a rail down but also being fast enough where I could still challenge her,” said Nusz.
McArdle, Junior Gold Medalist at this year’s North American Junior and Young Rider Championships, was ready to challenge for the lead. She and Cosma quickly raced through the course. They blazed across the finish line with a time of 31.573 seconds, the fastest time and with no faults.
“I think a lot of people were getting rushed in the turns,” explained McArdle. “There were a lot of people in that jump-off. I think especially in a big money class with that many riders everyone was going for it. I think there were a lot of problems for everyone in the jump-off; it was a great course. It was definitely a great spectator class.”
McArdle added, “This is definitely an emotional win for me. I thought it was a really good way not only to end the season, but it was also a good way to end my Junior years.”
McArdle was named the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Rider of the Month in May with Cosma 20, after they earned two first place finishes, one at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show and one at the Kentucky Spring Classic. She also won two Hall of Fame classes at Wellington on Bravoman.
Nusz and Jacobs Honored as East Champions of The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series
The Show Jumping Hall of Fame also honored Meagan Nusz and Charlotte Jacobs who topped the East Conference standings in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series. Nusz won the Amateur-Owner Division on Vesuvius, while Jacobs won the Junior Division on Kachina.
“I think it is a very nice award to receive,” said Nusz. “Throughout the year you put all of your hard work and effort into it. To be at the top in that list of riders is an incredible feeling. I think you do want to hit all of those shows that have the Hall of Fame classes because it is such an honor when you finish successfully at the end of the year.”
Nusz was named the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Rider of the Month for March. She and Vesuvius earned one 2nd place and two 1st place finishes during the eighth, ninth and eleventh weeks at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington. She then continued her winning ways throughout the year.
Jacobs had Hall of Fame Series wins on Kachina at Wellington, Saratoga and Lake Placid and also had several other top placings throughout the year. She also won a Hall of Fame class at Wellington on Cyrina Z and another at the American Gold Cup on Promised Land.
The Show Jumping Hall of Fame and Museum was established in 1987 and formally opened in 1989. It was organized to promote the sport of show jumping and to immortalize the legends of the men, women and horses who have made great contributions to the sport.
The Show Jumping Hall of Fame is located at the Kentucky Horse Park. Plaques honoring those who have been honored with induction into the Hall of Fame can be seen at the Horse Park's Rolex Stadium. Mementos and artifacts from the sport's history are on display as part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame collection at the United States Hunter Jumper Association’s Wheeler Museum at the Horse Park.
The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series holds classes under Grand Prix rules and specifications for amateur-owner and junior riders at approximately one hundred horse shows across the country. The Series keeps separate standings for juniors and amateur-owners in two conferences, East and West. The Series is designed to give amateur-owner and junior riders an opportunity to compete at higher levels and serves as a proving ground for many riders who aspire to someday represent the United States in international competition.
Regular season standings conclude following classes at the Washington International Horse Show in the East and Los Angeles National Horse Show in the West. Series standings help determine entries for the year-end Championship Finals (which do not count in the season standings) at the Alltech National Horse Show and Las Vegas National Horse Show. Riders from both conferences – East and West – are eligible for either or both Finals.
Further information about the Show Jumping Hall of Fame and the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series is available on line at www.ShowJumpingHallofFame.net.