Lexington, Ky.—Oct. 29

Yesterday Stephanie Danhakl had a nearly perfect day with Enough Said in the low amateur-owner division at the CP National Horse Show, winning one over fences class and taking second in the hack, which added to her two wins over fences from Tuesday easily gave her the championship tricolor in that division and the grand low amateur-owner title too.  

But she was concerned about yesterday’s trips with her amateur-owner, 18-35, mount, Golden Rule. With the big chestnut gelding, she picked up a third over fences and a fifth in the hack. So she arrived at the horse show today ready to ride for the top. 

“I knew today I’d probably have to win both to be champion,” said Danhakl. “There was a lot of pressure on for today, but I have so much confidence in him, and I think he’s the best horse in the world. I knew if I rode well, he was going to bring me to the blue. I tried to focus on that today and not be nervous and ride every jump.”

And Danhakl did just that, topping both over fences classes today, the handy and the stake, to seal the championship in that division too. As soon as she jumped the last fence on her last course, a huge smile broke out on her face. 

“I was almost in tears after my last round,” said Danhakl, 28. “It ended up that we got a little good luck, and he went beautifully. I think it’s the best he’s gone all of Indoors. He jumped so high over everything and so round, and I was really proud of him. It’s such an incredible feeling going to the jumps on him.”

Golden Rule and Danhakl have been a team for about 1 1/2 years now; her trainer Scott Stewart purchased the former jumper off a video while he was on the plane to the United States. 

“I wasn’t really looking for a horse at the time,” said Danhakl. “I’d just gotten Enough Said a few months before and another horse, and Scott started showing him in the high performance hunters. People were like, ‘This doesn’t look like your typical hunter.’ He’s a little bigger and slow, but he has the best expression. His ears are always forward, and he never changes pace. 

“He started winning with Scott, and he said, ‘I think you really need to try this horse,’ ” she continued. “I was like, ‘I don’t think my dad is going to let me get him, but he’s so cute. I’ll just sit on him.’ I jumped him at the barn, and I fell in love with him. He’s so easy and so scopey. He’s really light even for a big horse; he doesn’t require a lot of leg or hand, and he just floats around the ring. The first week I showed him we were champion, and it’s been kind of a fairytale story for us since.”

(Stephanie Danhakl and Enough Said)

Danhakl hasn’t been riding as much lately since she just started a new job at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. She’s just completed a master’s degree in art history at the University of Pennsylvania and is now seeking acceptance to doctorate programs. 

“This Indoors has been a little rough since I haven’t been able to practice as much. It’s a little nerve-wracking, but I know my horses pretty well at this point,” she said. “I’ve had them a while, so it’s a matter of I can do my job relatively well. They always do their jobs.”

Next Golden Rule and Enough Said head to Florida with Scott Stewart, and Danhakl will fly back and forth to compete him at the Winter Equestrian Festival over the season. 

(Ellen Toon and Mirror Image)

Ellen Toon and Mirror Image, who’ve also been having a strong Indoors season, picked up the grand amateur-owner title and the division title in the amateur-owner, 36 and over, division. 

See full results online, or check out a gallery of photos from yesterday’s winners.