It was Sam Walker (CAN) and Marbill Hill Farm’s Coralissa who jumped to the top of the leaderboard after 63 horse-and-rider combinations took to the Derby Field at PBIEC in Welliongton, FL, in the $25,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon, with nine pairs returning to the jump-off round set by designer Catsy Cruz (MEX).
Walker and the 2010 Holsteiner mare by Com Air were one of two combinations to put in two fault-free rounds, finishing the short course in 43.89 seconds. “This past year with the pandemic, I pretty much took a full year off from competition,” said Walker. “To come back out here and do so well today, to feel her still in her prime, it really means a lot to me.”
Walker stuck to his plan from start to finish and was thrilled with the pay-off. “My first round went according to plan,” he explained. “Every line I had walked in in the course walk and observed when watching the rest of the class, I stuck to the plan all the way around. My horse was really good today and jumped fantastically. The first round set us up very nicely for the jump-off. Going into the jump-off, my horse is super-fast but has a shorter step, and I took that into account. I stuck to my plan and just went for it.”
Walker and the mare have a lengthy partnership, and their resume includes the 2019 team gold and individual silver medals at the Adequan®/FEI North American Youth Championships. “I’ve had this mare since she was seven years old,” he said. “We’ve had a really great, successful partnership thus far. She has had multiple FEI wins so far. She’s a special horse, and I’m thrilled with the day’s outcome.”
Walker concluded with thoughts about the U25 Series and his hopes for its future. “It’s fantastic having a series like this for the U25 riders to compete in,” noted the 18-year-old rider. “It’s a crucial step in bringing junior riders up the ranks and also a great opportunity for riders who maybe didn’t get the chance to jump in the juniors or go to young riders. It’s a great alternative for that. As far as the competitiveness, it’s an extremely competitive division, and I think that we will only see numbers grow in the years to come because it’s also a lot of fun.”
Second place in the $25,000 Hermès U25 Grand Prix went to Violet Lindemann Barnett (USA) and Lindemann Barnett Sporthorses’ 2010 Selle Français mare by Allegreto, Alanine de Vains, who made it through the jump-off timers in 46.85 seconds. Third place went to Ashley Vogel (USA) and her own Bellissimo Z, a 2009 Zangersheide mare by Bamako de Muze, who ended on four faults and in 42.58 seconds.
Final Results: $25,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix
1. CORALISSA: 2010 Holsteiner mare by Com Air x O-Coralissa
SAM WALKER (CAN), Marbill Hill Farm: 0/0/43.89
2. ALANINE DE VAINS: 2010 Sel Francais mare by Allegreto x Mutine de Vains
VIOLET LINDEMANN BARNETT (USA), Lindemann Barnett Sporthorses:0/0/46.85
3. BELLISSIMO Z: 2009 Zangersheide mare by Bamako de Muze x C’est Elle Z
ASHLEY VOGEL (USA), Ashley Vogel: 0/4/42.58
4. CELINA BH: 2010 Holsteiner mare by Canstakko x K-Carrera
MIMI GOCHMAN (USA), Gochman Sporthorses, LLC: 0/4/42.68
5. EMORKUS RE: 2009 KWPN gelding by Quasimodo VD Molendreey x Worka R
RANSOME ROMBAUER (USA), Ransome Rombauer: 0/4/43.53
6. BOHEME DE LA ROQUE: 2011 Sel Francais mare by Kannan x Medine D’Amaury
GRACE DEBNEY (GBR), Temple Equestrian, LLC: 0/8/41.05
7. VALMONT DE VIZY: 2009 Sel Francais gelding by Zandor x Lliona de Vizy
KELLY ARANI (USA), Marigot Bay Farm, LLC: 0/8/46.46
8. DELIA B: 2008 KWPN mare by Cantos x Omelia H
DOMINIC GIBBS (USA), Mountain King Ranch, LLC: 0/8/56.12
9. FANTAST VAN HET VINCKENHOF: 2010 KWPN gelding by Cicero Z Van Paemel x Temilione
KRISTEN BERIAN (USA), Coral C Stables, LLC: 0/4/46.38
10. J’ADORE FLAMENCO: 2012 Sel Francais gelding by Je T’aime Flamenco x Conafino Z
MARIA BRUGAL (DOM), Maria Brugal: 1/80.28
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