Margie Engle (USA) returned to the international winner’s circle in Traverse City on Thursday of the final week of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented by B&D Builders, claiming victory in the $62,500 CSI3* Welcome Stake.
Aboard longtime partner Jackofhearts, she was one of only five riders to produce a clear round from 39 international entries. Of those five, she was the only double-clear performer, sealing the victory from the final position in the jump-off.
“Jack’s been great; we got a late start because I got hurt right before we got here but they’ve both jumped their hearts out,” she said of Jackofhearts and Dicas. “This is only Jack’s fourth class since I got here and he really put everything into it today. I was fortunate enough for the position I went in to know I just had to try and go clear. It worked out to be a great day.”
Going last in the jump-off can be a stressful position. If Engle had a rail, she would have fallen to fifth behind the four-fault rounds. But she had so much faith in Jackofhearts, the 14-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (Heartbeat x Baloubet du Rouet), that she trusted her plan.
“I know he’s a real trier and he got the leave-out done the first line really easily,” she explained of her jump-off approach. “I did slip inside to the third jump and then once I got through the double I thought I’d take my time to the last two. The course proved difficult enough; there were not that many clean after the first round. It was just as difficult in the jump-off. I figured it was better safe than sorry.”
Chris Ewanouski (USA) finished in second with Condor du Valdecie, with a fast 4-fault round. Just behind him was Erynn Ballard (CAN) for third aboard Ashley de Talm.
Engle has enjoyed considerable success in the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring, making Thursday’s victory aboard Jackofhearts especially meaningful. After waiting a few extra weeks to regain fitness before returning to international competition, the pair earned their win just in time.
“He’s been a great horse for me and he tries every time he goes in the ring,” she shared of Jackofhearts. “I’m really happy that we were able to pull through today. I’ve had him for a long time and he’s been doing this since he was young. He is still very enthusiastic in the ring; he gives you a good feeling because he feels like he’s having a good time. He seems to enjoy his job.”
With a short break coming up as GLEF transitions into the Tournament of Champions, Engle feels the win was perfectly timed, and she’ll be back with Jackofhearts and Dicas for the fall.
“I love it up here in Traverse City,” she remarked. “The weather is great and it’s good for the horses because it’s a little cooler than anywhere else in August. It’s nice because they get three weeks off so that will be Jack’s last class until September. It was a great stopping point for him.”
Results here.
As the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival enters its final stretch, attention soon turns to the Tournament of Champions, September 2–20, featuring three weeks of hunter, jumper, and equitation competition at Flintfields Horse Park. Visit TraverseCityHorseShows.com for schedules, prize lists, tickets, entry information, and more.
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