Kessler Nabs $100K WIHS

By Lauren Fisher October 28, 2012

Eighteen-year-old U.S. Olympian Reed Kessler added yet another accolade to her impressive year with a win in the $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix at the 54th annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS).

Kessler and Cylana topped an impressive list of international competitors her first time competing in the class. Brazil’s Paulo Santana and Taloubet finished second, while Australia’s Matt Williams and Watch Me VD Mangelaar were third.

Earlier in the day, Elizabeth Benson earned the win in the 2012 WIHS Equitation Finals, while Katherine Strauss triumphed in the $10,000 SJHOF Ambassador’s Cup High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, and Michael Hughes was victorious in the $5,000 Senator’s Cup Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic.

The Saturday night grand prix, presented by Events DC, was the highlight of the week at WIHS, which finishes tomorrow with competition for the pony hunters, the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals, and the WIHS Regional Finals.

Anthony D’Ambrosio, of Red Hook, NY, set the course for this week’s show jumping competition at Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C. D’Ambrosio set a great course for Saturday night’s grand prix, which featured 28 international horses and riders. Nine entries were able to clear the first-round course without fault to advance to the jump-off, and only four of those were faultless through the short course.

Margie Engle (USA) and Indigo cleared the jump-off course in 36.42 seconds to eventually finish fourth. Matt Williams (AUS) and Watch Me VD Mangelaar improved on that time in 36.15 seconds to secure the third place honors. Brazil’s Paulo Santana and Taloubet were a full two seconds faster than Williams in 34.15 seconds to take the lead, but would have to settle for second.

Show Jumping Sensation

USA’s young show jumping sensation Kessler was last to go in the jump-off and shaved another two seconds off of Santana’s time aboard the mare she rode for team USA at the 2012 Olympics, winning the class in 32.62 seconds.

For their victory, Kessler and Cylana were presented with the President of the United States Perpetual Cup. As Leading Jumper Rider, an award sponsored by Robin Parsky, Kessler was also presented with the Margaret Chovnick Memorial Trophy and awarded a Rolex luxury timepiece from Tiny Jewel Box.

Kessler’s parents, Teri and Murray Kessler, received a special award as the Leading Jumper Owner, sponsored by the Reid Family. Santana was named the Leading International Rider.

“This is one of the most historical classes in our country and it is my first year being old enough to do the grand prix,” Kessler noted. “Last year I was actually leading rider going into it and I wasn’t old enough to do it, so I really wanted to come back this year and seal the deal. I am thrilled; I brought the red coat for it and everything.”

Kessler had the advantage of going last in the jump-off and knowing what she had to do. “I definitely felt lucky that I went last,” she acknowledged. “I didn’t actually watch the entire jump-off because I was warming up, but it is always great to go last and know what you need to beat.”

“I did seven strides back on the third jump,” Kessler explained. “I think that besides even the way Cylana looks, she is just like Sapphire in a lot of ways. I think how I have to learn to go fast with her is that way, doing so few strides around the turns and to the jumps, and keeping it slick. I think that my turns were really good, but she can do anything.”

Kessler has been competing at WIHS since she was a child on ponies and has had many wins throughout the years. “I can’t even count (how many years I’ve been coming to WIHS),” she laughed. “I think I was champion here in the small ponies when I was little, I did the equitation final, then junior jumpers for a bunch of years and then to be all the way to the President’s Cup now. It is one of my favorite shows. I have been coming here my whole life and I love being in the middle of the city.”

“There is a great interaction with the audience here,” Kessler added. “Everyone gets really into it. Barn night is genius; they always get a huge turnout. There was quite literally a mile-long line of children asking for autographs after the Gambler’s Choice. It is a great show and the crowd gets really into it. I think it is probably one of the biggest turnouts at a show jumping event in America.”

Second place finisher Santana had great results with Taloubet this week and spoke about his round and the pressure of having Kessler, a known speedster, following him in the order. “I would try to beat her. I saw the beginning of the class and I knew she was behind me and she would run in the minutes a couple more,” Santana stated. “It was a good mix in the jump-off; Margie, Matt. I had to play a little with the risk. I was afraid to try and then have a rail really early. I had to chase my points one by one and do a safe course, but that doesn’t mean that I would beat her. To win by two seconds in an indoor competition is a lot,” he said of Kessler’s performance.

Final Results: $100,00 President’s Cup Grand Prix, CSI 3*-W, presented by Events DC

1 CYLANA Reed Kessler USA: 0/0/32.62 (Reed Kessler)

2 TALOUBET Paulo Santana BRA: 0/0/34.15 (Paulo Santana)

3 WATCH ME VD MANGELAAR Matt Williams AUS: 0/0/36.15 (Samantha Tuerk)

4 INDIGO MARGIE ENGLE USA: 0/0/36.42 (Griese/Garber/Hidden Creek

5 WALDMAN Z Charlie Jayne  USA: 0/4/34.05 (Pony Lane Farm)

6 MYSELF DE BREVE Marie Hecart FRA: 0/8/35.03 (Marie Hecart)

7 WANNICK WH Christine McCrea USA: 0/8/35.46 (Windsor Hill Show Stable/Tribble)

8 ARMEGEDON Sean Crooks USA: 0/16/38.41 (Crooks Show Jumping)

9 ONIRA Brianne Goutal USA: 0/ret. (Remarkable Farms LP)

10 VINDICAT W Jessica Springsteen USA: 4/68.30 (Stone Hill Farm)

11 AIR FORCE ONE Kama Godek USA: 4/70.06 (Kama Godek)

12 TEIRRA Laura Kraut USA: 4/71.12 (Hi Hopes Farm LLC)

 

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