JESSICA SPRINGSTEEN SCORES THREE-STAR WIN AT SILO RIDGE MASTERS

U.S. Olympic team silver medallist Jessica Springsteen raced to an early win in the $32,000 Neomoon 3* Speed with long-time partner Naomi van het Keizershof on Thursday at the Silo Ridge Masters.

Highland Horse Show features two weeks of elite showjumping and immersive entertainment in the idyllic Hudson Valley of New York. The Silo Ridge Masters 3* runs through October 5 before the Highlands Cup—featuring Major League Show Jumping—takes centre stage October 8 through 12.

Set against the backdrop of The Highlands’ rolling hills, Springsteen and Naomi van het Keizershof put natural footspeed and experience to good work over courses set by Nick Granat (USA). They broke the timers of the one-round speed track in 62.67 seconds for the win.

Mark Bluman (COL) and Joevaro N, owned by Luja, LLC, did their best to catch the time, but came up fractions short in 63.02 seconds to settle as runner-up. Belgium’s Pieter de Brabandere piloted Dothraki Warlord to third in 63.31 seconds for owner Maarten Huygens.

“The goal today was to be neat without taking too many risks—if I think ‘turn,’ she’s on the go,” said Springsteen of her 10-year-old Belgian-bred mare (VDL Cardento x For Pleasure) owned by Stone Hill Farm. “I'm lucky to have her as a partner—she's so competitive. She’s always in it and she jumped beautifully today.”

Springsteen spent her summer competing in Europe and has returned to focus on building up a string of developing horses. “I have some newer horses here [at Highlands], which is why it’s so great to have the national classes running as well as FEI.

“This is the best time of year to be back home,” continued Springsteen who hails from the northeast in New Jersey. “You can see the work they've put into this venue. To be able to travel out of my home base and go to shows like this is incredible. Shows in the U.S. are growing so quickly, and that’s really amazing to see—I'm super grateful.”

Thursday Winners

- Reese Merna of Mendham, NJ, opened the day with a win in the $7,500 Tasu Fruit Chips 1.30m aboard Havanna C2
- Ireland’s Christian Coyle—hailing from Sherman, CT,—topped the $15,000 WoodCrafting 1.40m riding Ma Pomme de Temerville.

- Coyle’s student Megan Phillips Drury of Millbrook, NY, won the $5,000 Step Aside, LLC, Jr/Am 1.20m in the irons of Ilette.

--ENDS--

Full results here