Olivia Stephenson (CAN) has been knocking at the door of a MarBill Hill U25 win all week at tbird’s Summer Fort Welcome.
She was third in Wednesday’s MarBill Hill U25 1.35m on Deister Z and again in Thursday’s 1.40m Speed on Chaccalanda. On Saturday, she cracked the code for the win. As the final pair to return for the short course in the MarBill Hill U25 1.40m Grand Prix, presented by Solaris Equestrian, she jumped to the top of the podium with Chaccalanda.
Seven pairs found a clear path around Peter Holmes’ 1.40m track. Chasing the 52.03 second time to beat set by pathfinders Cashelle Levasseur (CAN) and Laviata, Stephenson and Chaccalanda rubbed the first two fences, but left all the poles in place to stop the clock or a second and a half faster at 50.7.
Levasseur was relegated to second and Sierra Geisler (USA) and Hatari took third as the only other double clear.
“One thing we’ve been working on, especially with Chacca, is [riding] my track, rather than just straight out galloping,” said Stephenson. “I tried to shave off as much time in the corners where I could.”
The other thing she’s working on: taking risks while keeping a level head.
Stephenson, 17, trains with Calgary’s Bretton Chad and Charlie Jones of Stone Ridge Sport Horses. As she rode into the ring, Chad could be seen giving her last minute advice.
“She said to ‘ride what you feel. Give it your best shot. But stick to the plan and don’t try anything crazy out of the bag,'” shared Stephenson, adding, “because that sometimes is what happens.”
Currently under lease, Chaccalanda is a 14-year-old Oldenburg mare that has been in Stephenson’s string for about a year and a horse that comes with both ample international experience up to the 1.50m level and a share sire with one of the Calgary-based rider’s previous mounts. Chaccalanda is a half sister to Stephenson’s children’s jumper Chaccana, a horse she rode to team bronze and individual silver medals at the North American Youth Championships in 2019.
The relationship is coincidental, she said, but it’s played to her favor.
“I think because I knew how to ride Chaccana, it really helps with Chaccalanda. They definitely go differently, but their mentality [is similar]—they’re both so careful and they both try so hard every time.”
It’s a quality that has allowed Stephenson to grow in confidence—and results.
“She has a heart of gold. She’s been there, done that. She knows her job and because I’m a junior, it’s good to have a horse that knows what they’re doing,” she continued.
“I’ve always struggled with being competitive and trying to step outside my comfort zone. So I think that because I have horses that I can trust now to try something different, I can try a different turn, try and be better, instead of just going around perfecting a certain distance. Charlie and Bretton have helped me a lot with that as well.”
$15,000 MarBill Hill U25 Grand Prix
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time
1. Chaccalanda / Olivia Stephenson / CAN / Olivia Stephenson / 0/0 50.7
2. Laviata / Cashelle Levasseur / CAN / Gerard Developments / 0/0 52.03
3. Hatari / Sierra Geisler / USA / Sierra Geisler / 0/0 56.73
4. Jus De Seminka / Reagan Tomb / USA / Greg Tomb / 0/04 49.65
5. Gryffindor De Hay / Dylan Munro / CAN / Attache Stables / 0/4 49.88
6. Kristalstar / Sloane Betker / CAN / Sloane Betker / 0/4 56.53
7. Esi Jet Set / Carly Stevens / CAN / Susan Stevens / 0/8 54.79
8. Deister Z / Olivia Stephenson / CAN / Olivia Stephenson / 4 76.43
9. Ielinea JTL / Jaydan Stettner / CAN / Jaydan Stettner / 4 76.81
10. Fuego / Isabel Coxe / USA / 5 Roosters / 4 77.79
