Throughout the two days of competition at the Equine Essentials CET Regionals in the indoor arena at Thunderbird Show Park, Sloane Betker kept herself in the hunt.
She didn’t win either of the Flat/Gymnastic or Jumping Phases, but she was close, finishing third and fifth, respectively. That was all she needed to make the top six, all of whom returned for a final “jump off” style course to determine the final placings.
This was where Betker, with a strong show jumping background, could shine. She received the highest marks of the jump-off phase to take a narrow victory over Chloe Mache, with Colby Winther Konig finishing third. Georgia Knight secured fourth honors; these four earned invitations to compete in the CET Finals at the Royal Horse Show later this fall.
“My goal was just to be top four. I wasn’t going in to win; I just wanted to stay consistent,” Betker explained. “I was aiming for CET Finals again this year. Last year I ended up third at the Royal, and my goal this year was to qualify and have another shot.
“When I went into the jump-off, I knew that I had to step up,” she added. “We were all super close, and I knew that one mistake could cost us the top four. I just went for it, and it all came together.”
Betker has had a banner year, winning her first USHJA International Hunter Derby—also aboard Crack—at the Summer Fort Classic and representing Canada at the North American Youth Championships. Her equitation and derby mount, Crack, was originally leased until her family bought him outright at the lease’s conclusion.
“I think the way he goes and his style is just really suited to the equitation ring,” Betker shared. “He has quite the personality. You can’t tell how he is going to behave until you are in the ring, but when he is on his game, there is no better horse.”
Equine Essentials CET Regionals
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Score
1. Crack / Sloane Betker / CAN / Sloane Betker / 79/85/86
2. Fanta / Chloe Mache / CAN / Chloe Mache / 83/83/83
3. Bit Ticket / Colby Winther Konig / CAN / Sorine Winther / 80/87/81
4. Cortofino / Georgia Knight / CAN / Brabant Holdings Inc. / 81/78/85
5. Annorlunda / Locklyn Williamson / CAN / Graham Williamson / 78/83/80
6. Black Pearl / Katrina Klimach / CAN / Katrina Klimach / 73/82/82
7. Pac Man TW / Amara Gottwald / CAN / Amara Gottwald / 63/77
8. Special K IV / Bianca Duronio / CAN / Katie de Witt / 61/72
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