There were 25 entries in the $20,000 Spy Coast Farm Seven Year Old Developing Jumper Series Classic, and 11 were clear to advance to the jump-off held at the end of the first round. Of those, seven were double clear. The fastest in the class was Maestro Vica v/d Ark, ridden by Erynn Ballard for owner Natalie Dean. They stopped the timers in 31.502 seconds for victory.
All of the Developing Jumper Classic courses were set by Steve Stephens and Nick Granat (USA).
Second place went to Get Go, a seven-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Grey Top, out of Wantana, who is by World Diamond O. Get Go was bred by Herbort U. Nesemaan. Ridden by Taylor Land and owned by Pinetree Farms Inc., Get Go put in a time of 33.148 seconds.
Just behind them in third place and a time of 33.419 seconds were Gemino and Peter Wylde, who rode for owner Chester Siuda. Gemino is a seven-year-old KWPN stallion by Manhattan x Democraat, out of Heliolight and bred by Jessica Siuda.
“Maestro” was purchased in 2018 at The Ten Auction, and Ballard and trainer Ilan Ferder selectively chose his competitions during the year leading up to the 7 and Under Young Horse division at the Hampton Classic Horse Show, where they won all three classes and were named champion.
“Maestro is a super star; he wins more than he loses. I think he’s an exception in that way,” said Ballard. “We haven’t really pushed him and today is the biggest that he’s jumped. I think he was outstanding today.”
When Ballard was planning for the jump-off, she thought that they should avoid the inside turn from the first to second jumps, but when she was on course, the inside turn showed up.
“I said to Ilan, ‘I think I can be faster going around. I don’t want to risk turning tight inside and having him bounce,’” she recalled. “When I went in, I kind of looked at the angle that I wanted to see number one on. He was so fast from one to two; that’s really where he won the class. He’s fast everywhere else, but I think it was an exceptional turn from one to two.”
While owner Dean will likely now take over the ride on Maestro, Ballard is excited to watch him go with her. “Maybe we can share a little bit!” she said.
In addition to their classic win, Maestro was presented with the Champion Equine Insurance Jumper Style Award presented by Laura Fetterman.
The $15,000 Spy Coast Farm Six Year Old Developing Jumper Classic hosted 25 entries as well, with nine clear and only two finding the path to a double clear finish. The fastest of those in 38.434 seconds – faster by 5.5 seconds – was Charlie Jayne riding his father Alex Jayne’s Virginia ODF.
Second place went to Ibaltic BH, ridden by Emmy Tromp for Windward Mark Farm LLC, who finished the jump-off clear in 43.857 seconds. Ibaltic BH is a six-year-old KWPN gelding by Baltic VDL out of Vavanta V/D Renvillehoeve (by Burggraaf), bred by F. Buma.
Finishing the jump-off in 37.45 seconds, the fastest time but with four faults, for third place was Daniel Coyle riding Ariel Grange’s Ibiza. Ibiza is a six-year-old KWPN gelding by Inshallah de Muze x Indoctro (out of Watch Me B).
