Friday: Ackerman Rides to ‘Dream’ Victory in CSI2* tbird 1.45m
As amateur rider Jaimie Ackerman (CAN) crossed the finish timers in the jump-off of the CSI2* tbird 1.45m, her first reaction was one of sheer disbelief.
“It’s a dream. You just don’t expect to go into a CSI2* FEI class when you’re [also] working a full-time job and pull off something like that,” she said.
But that doesn’t mean she wasn’t going to give it her best shot. Last to go in an eight-horse jump-off, Ackerman and Driek flew home past the timers of Peter Holmes’ (CAN) short course in 40.29 seconds— nearly three seconds faster than then-leading Brooke Morin (USA) and NKH Carrido (43.23). Jaehee Jeon (KOR) and Kadans van de Mispelaere finished third (43.72 seconds).
“He was unbelievable,” Ackerman said. “There were some questionable long distances there, but he was very good!”
Horse and rider were equally committed as they rounded the turn past the ingate and sighted in on the jump-off’s third fence. They took a bold, long distance at that oxer and carried their forward momentum toward the double that followed, getting down the line in one less stride than their competitors. They only pulled away from there.
“I really was committed. That oxer was a hair longer than I wanted it to be, but my horse was golden and took over for me,” Ackerman detailed. “Off that canter, all I saw was the 8 [strides to the double]. I didn’t want to interrupt him too much. It made the double tight, but he backed up and jumped it phenomenally.”
A Vancouver native, Ackerman works full-time as a chiropractor and owns two clinics in the area, offering a variety of physio-massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, and counseling services. But when she acquired the now-14-year-old KWPN gelding Driek three years ago, it set her on the trajectory to international show jumping competition. She made her international debut just one year ago; she’s now won two FEI classes in the last three weeks at Thunderbird Show Park.
“I got him in 2019 at this horse show. It’s our three-year anniversary!” she said. “My plan [at the time] was to get into some High Jr/Amateur classes and some local grand prixs. [Driek] had some FEI experience, and the dream [was] to step up to that.”
The pair have proven to be a most competitive match.
“I don’t think I’ve ever ridden a horse so game. He’s always looking for [the next jump]. He loves the job more than any horse I’ve ever sat on,” Ackerman said. “It’s a joy to see a horse having fun with it too. I can point him to almost anything, and he’ll give a solid effort, like he did today!”
$8,800 CSI2* tbird 1.45m
Place / Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time
1. Driek / Jaimie Ackerman / CAN / Jaimie Ackerman / 0/0 40.29
2. NKH Carrido / Brooke Morin / USA / Strasburg Morin / 0/0 43.23
3. Kadans van de Mispelaere / Jaehee Jeon / KOR / Brother Fortunate Equestrian Ltd / 0/0 43.72
4. Crown Royal / Hayley Mercer / CAN / Hayley Mercer / 0/0 44.02
5. Goodwill VB / Katie Kruger / CAN / Caledonia Stables / 0/0 44.37
6. Coffee to Go / Kyle King / USA / Spruce Meadows Ltd / 0/4 41.73
7. Lavallino Ter Klomp / Jennifer Waxman / USA / Lost Lake Farm LLC / 0/8 46.06
8. Havana / Kassidy Keith / CAN / Cheryl Keith / 0/12 43.12
9. Chardonnay / Robert Blanchette / IRL / RTS LLC / 4 71.25
10. Carnlea Premier Balou / Robert Blanchette / IRL / RTSC LLC / 4 73.05
Kassidy Keith and Fenelon WF. (©tbird/Quinn Saunders)
Saturday: Keith Commands MarBill Hill U25 1.40m
Kassidy Keith (CAN) brought a newer partner into the $5,000 MarBill Hill U25 1.40m at Thunderbird Show Park this week and picked up right where she left off earlier in the season, with a victory.
Aboard Cheryl Keith’s Fenelon WF, Keith was practical, smooth, and efficient around the Peter Holmes (CAN) speed track. Her goal was a smooth ride, and the horse’s natural speed provided enough to take the win in 61.70 seconds.
Keith has been bringing the now 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse stallion (Flexible x Capone) up through the height levels since age 5, allowing him to blossom at his own pace.
“He’s very short and supple, kind of like a sports car,” Keith, 24, described. “He’s moving up the ranks. I jumped my first 1.40m with him in April and he was super. We’ve been going up and down in heights to keep him comfortable. He’s a super cool horse and I think he’ll jump the 1.50m. He’s Irish so I feel like he’s got no real limit until you test him.
“He was with me 100% of the time,” Keith continued about her round with Fenelon WF Saturday. “He was looking a little because one of the gates was swaying back and forth because it was windy, but he tried his heart out.”
A few months ago, Keith was in the winner’s circle in the MarBill Hill U25 on her seasoned mare Havana. This time, with a newer mount, she’s gaining valuable miles on both her own and the young horse’s show records as she campaigns Havana in the FEI division.
“I have so much experience with Havana jumping 1.40m,” she said of her partnership. “I jump Havana FEI and use her to jump bigger, and I use this horse to get in the ring throughout the week to practice. The U25 classes give me so much experience because I can get in the ring three times a week and get in before I show Havana. It really sets you up well to then jump the bigger classes.”
With two horses at the higher levels, Keith is one to watch in the U25 and the FEI divisions. “I find it really helpful that I have two to do that now,” she said of her string. “It’s helping me practice and I can get competitive on [Fenelon WF] now because he is more experienced. These classes are so good for him too in that sense.”
Behind Keith and finishing second was Stella Chernoff (CAN) with the Stump Lake Ranch and Cattle Co Ltd entry Connador in 64.65 seconds. In third and the only other clear round effort was Katie Kehring with the Kehring Family’s Edesa’s Filippo T Z, crossing the finish beams in 65.69 seconds.
$5,000 MarBill Hill U25 1.40m
Place / Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time
1. Fenelon WF / Kassidy Keith / CAN / Cheryl Keith / 0 61.70
2. Connador / Stella Chernoff / CAN / Stump Lake Ranch and Cattle Co Ltd / 0 64.65
3. Edesa’s Filippo T Z / Katie Kehring / USA / The Kehring Family / 0 65.69
4. Fair Play D’Equelmes / Nyah Chernoff / Stump Lake Ranch and Cattle Co Ltd / CAN / 4 64.12
5. Texas / Justine Cha / CAN / Christine Cha / 4 71.31
6. Gogolinus / Jarne Francken / USA / Brylee Dickie / 4 73.94
7. Cella / Taylor Winther Blair / CAN / Sorine Winther / 8 62.34
8. Viva La Vida / Cassie Gorseline / CAN / Lisa Carlsen / 8 63.52
9. Naxos 27 / Dylan Jordan / CAN / Miriam Ameli / 12 66.58
10. Dustin 254 / Aren Ozker / CAN / Aren Ozker / 20 72.03
Complete results here.
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