In her first year as a professional, Kaitlin Campbell piloted her Rocky W to a win in the $50,000 Idle Dice Open Jumper Stake at the Devon Horse Show, and she did it against some of the top riders in the world.

Nineteen horses contested the course designed by Olaf Petersen of Germany, and a solid showing of eight returned for the shortened jump off. The technical course was to be expected in the second-largest money class of Devon, and it proved difficult to make the time and ride clear even for the seasoned professionals.

In the jump off only three riders managed clear rounds—Laura Chapot on Quointreau Un Prince, Margie Engle on Royce and Campbell.

However, Campbell knows Rocky perfectly for this type of course. When asked what kind of ride the Holsteiner-Dutch Warmblood (Libero H—Mona Liza) takes, Campbell couldn’t even answer.

“It’s so second nature,” she explained. “He’s really the only thing I have right now to ride, so it’s not like I’m switching rides too often. No one else ever rides him.”

The crowds turned out in droves for the mid-afternoon class despite the sweltering heat, and spectators gasped and applauded throughout the thrills of the jumping rounds.

Time For Amateur Jumpers To Shine

The amateur-owner division took center stage on Saturday night with the $20,000 Amateur-Owner Showjumping Hall Of Fame Classic, which served as the final class of the amateur-owner jumper division.

Haley Schaufeld and Ana Sia rode away with the class win after a year and a half partnership. Ana was originally a ride for Schaufeld’s trainer, Ben Meredith, but the 24-year-old took over the ride last year.

“She rides like an equitation horse,” said Schaufeld. Although they have had a smooth partnership so far, Schaufeld left nothing to chance. “My grandma’s my good luck charm. Every time she comes, I win.”

And Grandma was cheering on Schaufeld for the whole class.

A third-placed finish in the class secured the championship win for Tori Corts and her gray stallion Ultimo Van Ter Moude. One of only three to make it to the jump off, Corts also picked up the Leading Amatuer-Owner Jumper Rider Award.

While riding a stallion can present certain challenges, a 6-year relationship ensured a smooth week of showing.

 “He’s really well behaved for a stallion, lazy,” Corts joked.

Tidbits

-Dawn Fogel is no stranger to the Devon Horse Show, but this year she won her first grand championship title. Riding Royal Oak, Fogel topped the amateur-owner, 36 and over, title on her way to the grand championship. “I was thrilled with how he handled the surroundings here,” said Fogel. She has ridden Royal Oak for for years, and she described him as a combination of two of her former hunter stars. “He rides similar to Clandestine but has more of the jump of Ozcar,” she said.

-Daryl Portela aimed for consistency this year at Devon, and she did just that with her gelding, aptly named Winner. Together, they won the grand low amateur-owner title winning all the classes in the low amateur-owner, 36 and over, division. “His barn name is Winner. He came from Europe with that name, and I’m really superstitious, so I won’t change their names,” said Portela. “His name stayed, and everyone was like, ‘Well good thing you left his name and he’s not a bad horse!’ “

-Marianna Wade piloted Castleton to the low amateur-owner, 18-35, title with a win in the stakes class.

-Sienna won the amateur-owner, 18-35, championship with Lexi Maounis in the irons. The pair has been a team for three years, and Maounis rides at Heritage Farm with Andre Dignelli. This is Maounis’ first year riding as an amateur, and she just found out on Monday she would compete in the Dixon Oval. “I was so excited, then I had to come to the barn the next day, practice and ship out!” said Maounis, of Greenwich, Conn.

-Mclain Ward accepted the Leading Open Jumper Rider award. He also accepted the open jumper championship with Rothchild, his mount for the $100,000 Wells Fargo Grand Prix.

For full results, see Ryegate Show Services.

Check out more online coverage from the Devon Horse Show.

Want more? Full stories from Devon will appear in the June 10 and June 17 issues of the Chronicle.