As the defending champion of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final, US Olympian Beezie Madden is prequalified for next year’s Final in Gothenburg. Saturday night in Washington, D.C. (USA), she reminded everyone why she’s earned such a distinction.
Madden, aboard her World Cup Champion Breitling LS, put on an absolute clinic to win the $135,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington. On a night that celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Washington International Horse Show, the duo topped a four-horse jump-off, crossing the timers of Olaf Petersen, Jr. (GER)’s shortened course in 30.74 seconds. It was an all-American female podium, as Katie Dinan (USA) and Dougie Douglas finished second (32.93 seconds), and Lucy Davis (USA) and Caracho were third (33.44).
“This was Breitling’s first indoor this year…nice to see he’s in form. It just shows why he was so good at World Cup Finals!” ~ Beezie Madden (USA)
“This was [Breitling’s] first indoor event of the year,” Madden said. “It’s nice to see that he’s in form. It just shows why he was so good at World Cup Finals. He walked right in here, and he’s clever, rideable, adjustable, careful, and he can handle tight spaces like this.”
Coming back third in the jump-off, Madden and Breitling were able to shave more than two seconds off Dinan’s time thanks to their swift turns—particularly one taken to the penultimate vertical.
“My horse has natural foot speed and is quite good at turning,” Madden said. “I think I made [the time] up on the turns at both ends [on the ring], particularly on the last turn.”
A Closer Race in the East
Washington’s results made the World Cup standings tighter than ever. Molly Ashe Cawley (USA) remains at the top of the east coast sub league standings of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League with 29 points, but with her third-place finish, Davis is now tied with Georgina Bloomberg (USA) in second. They each have 28 points. A point behind them is Mattias Tromp (USA), and just four points separate the top five, with Madden (26 points) now sitting in fifth.
The North American League continues in Lexington, KY (USA), on 3 November 2018.
Results
1. Breitling LS, Beezie Madden (USA) 0/0 30.74
2. Dougie Douglas, Katie Dinan (USA) 0/0 32.93
3. Caracho, Lucy Davis (USA) 0/0 33.44
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