On Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the Saratoga Classic I Horse Show, Maria Yzerman (CAN) and Jojo JK SR, owned by XIX Horses LLC, sped to victory in the $25,000 Saratoga Grand Prix. Yzerman took home the top prize for the second year in a row when she and Jojo JK SR topped a jump-off of six combinations. They recorded a jump-off time of 31.539 seconds, just two one-hundredths of a second faster than Tori Corts (USA) and her own Semi Automatic, who had been leading with 31.553 seconds. It was an international podium, as Pieter de Brabandere of Belgium slotted into third place on Jumper d’Oase, owned by 5 Roosters, with a time of 32.648 seconds.
This was the third grand prix together for Yzerman and “Jojo,” who have been paired together for six months. They moved up from 1.30m to 1.45m through the winter season while Yzerman has learned to use the mare’s giant stride for speed.
“I am genuinely kind of a slow rider, and she’s really easy to get lost in the track on because she has a lovely, lofty canter,” described Yzerman of the 12-year-old KWPN mare by Etoulon VDL x San Patrignano Cassini. “I always have to remember to get to the next jump quicker. I can leave out strides anywhere, now that I know her better, so that was the plan. She can cover ground very quickly, so my goal today was just to let her gallop and see what she could do for me.”
Yzerman is based in Wellington, FL, from November to April and then in Montreal, Quebec, the rest of the year. She works for trainer Melissandre Lincourt, which gives her the opportunity to grow closer with her horses.
“I get to see JoJo every day, which has been really helpful getting to know each other,” she acknowledged. “I spend every day with her. We have a lot of snacks, a lot of walks, and I’m kind of her toy. I go in and play with her all the time.”
“It was unexpected,” said Yzerman of her win. “Tori is a really fast rider, and I knew I would have to not touch the reins once. I was a little slow rolling back to the Saratoga jump, so I knew I had to kick it after that if we wanted a chance. It was really exciting.”
Maria and Jojo’s Favorite Things:
Jojo: Napping – “We catch her falling asleep in her stall all the time, head on the ground, so I take her for a lot of walks. We play with her a lot to keep her engaged. She’s very intelligent; she’s always aware of her surroundings, but she’s very sleepy. She broke to the trot in the victory gallop, which just sums her up.”
Maria: Bocage Champagne Bar in Saratoga Springs – “It’s adorable. The drinks and snacks are really good.”
Jojo’s Imaginary Starbucks Order: latte with an extra shot of espresso (because, sleepy)
Maria’s Real Starbucks Order: the same order, but only one coffee a day per her trainer’s rules!
Results here.
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