Erynn Ballard has a new mount to add to her string of top horses currently competing at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Ilan Ferder imported the nine-year-old Selle Francais mare, Comedie de Talma, from the stables of Steve Guerdat, where she was campaigned with good results in her seven- and eight-year old seasons by Anthony Bourquard, including 4th in a grand prix in Italy last fall. The mare has also been shown by Guerdat’s wife, Fanni Skalli, who is expecting the couple’s first child in April.

Now paired with Ballard, who was awarded the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Award during the first week of the Winter Equestrian Festival, the pair will have the remaining weeks of WEF to become acquainted before setting their sights on the summer circuit.

Was Comedie on your radar as a potential partnership, or was she an opportunity that you weren’t expecting?

I am in a very unique situation working for Ilan, because he sources and buys all of the horses in the stable. He is currently working with Martin Fuchs as his main contact in Europe to help find the horses. Martin and Ilan found Comedie. With COVID right now we don’t get to travel and try them, but I did see her most recent European videos before she came over and had already decided I loved her.

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