Three-star action kicked off during week five of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF), presented by B&D Builders, in the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring on Wednesday with the $32,000 Boehringer Ingelheim CSI3* Speed.
Thirty-nine competitors took to the Peter Grant (CAN) designed speed track, but it was fellow Canadian Erynn Ballard who took the win.
After riding her first two mounts, Ballard returned for her third and final ride as the last to go in the class. Atop Her Game Ball BG, owned by Mary Frances Looke, Ballard had the winning spot in mind. Taking out two strides down the first line, the duo topped the leaderboard in 62.73 seconds.
“This horse has been leading up to a win,” said Ballard of the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Carambole. “The first line walked in eleven, but I always see where I can leave out strides in classes like this. I knew I could get it done in ten but once I jumped fence one, I saw the nine.”
Once Ballard made that decision, her instincts took her to the top.
“I’m always sticking to my plan, which 98% of the time is to my advantage, and 2% of the time, I get beat by somebody who doesn’t stick to the plan. It doesn’t matter how old you are, how many classes you win or how many horses you ride. You’re still trying to make yourself better. I’m far from good enough; I don’t win every single class, but to get a win in a class like this—doing something extreme—makes me more confident the next time I want to make a decision like that,” explained Ballard.
Following Ballard was Great Britain’s Jessica Mendoza and I-Cap Cl Z by I M Special De Muze, owned by herself and Sarah Mendoza. The pair held an earlier lead on a time of 65.91 seconds. Closing out the top three was Richard Spooner (USA) and Belle Esprit, owned by Serenity Spring Farm, finishing in a time of 66.35 seconds.
“If I give her (Her Game Ball BG) the right information, she is going to give me the right effort,” said Ballard. “I haven’t had her for very long, it’s a fast partnership, but with a mare like her, it’s extra special because you know they’re fighting.”
For full results of the $32,000 CSI3* Boehringer Ingelheim Speed, click here.
More News
