Karrie Rufer’s slow start delivered speedy returns in the CSI3* Heavy Metal Equipment 1.50m jump off at Thunderbird Show Park’s Summer Fort Welcome on Thursday.
Rufer and her longtime partner Stern dei Folletti—affectionately known as “Stan”—calmly sauntered into the middle of the Fort Grand Prix Arena on foot with her longtime groom, Cristofer Mendoza, and this week’s coach, François Mathy Jr at their side. After a leg‑up from Mathy, Rufer and the 15‑year‑old Holsteiner gelding took off at a gallop to the first fence and never took their foot off the gas.
Second of nine to return for Peter Holmes’ short course, the veteran pair set the time to beat in a speedy 40.74 seconds—and delivered the only sub‑41‑second effort of the day. USA’s Bryna Closson and Meteoric Rise finished second in 41.09. Canadian Olympian Tiffany Foster and Steadfast slotted into third in 41.35.
“He’s just naturally a fast horse,” Rufer said, adding that Stan can “be a little tricky” at the backgate.
“He doesn’t really love it. So we tried [getting on in the ring] today, it seemed to work. It keeps him a little bit calmer in his head. He’s very ambitious.”
Rufer credited Mathy’s course‑walk advice for setting up the winning effort.
“François Mathy Jr. is here coaching me this week and he thought eight strides from the second jump to the third and eight [strides] also from the third to the fourth would work out well. It did. Those were super easy and he’s so quick.
“He’s so good in the combinations. I was able to get that vertical before the double at an angle and still get down [the line] and he backed up great, which was perfect. Then I just kind of went off like a shot to the last jump. I saw a bit of a long one, which sometimes he can have a hard time leaving that rail up behind, but he somehow twisted himself inside out and jumped it great.”
Stern dei Folletti has been under Rufer’s saddle for nine years and has been a consistent contender for the American rider.
“I got him as a six‑year‑old, which is crazy to think of. He’s 15 now, and his winning spirit and his fight has just never been a question. Even though he’s got a little bit of age on him now and some grey hairs, he’s very happy to go in and do what he does. Once I pick up the canter, he’s great.”
Despite his intensity in the ring, Rufer noted that Stan is a gentle soul outside the arena.
“My daughter could flat him around [in the warm up]. He wouldn’t flinch. He is so easy and relaxed everywhere else.”
International competition continues on Saturday at tbird with the $15,000 JustWorld International Winning Round 1.45m and $75,000 Steel-Craft Doors Grand Prix 1.50m. Tickets are available exclusively on tbird.ca/tickets.
Top 10 $32,000 CSI3* Heavy Metal Equipment 1.50m
| Rank | Horse | Rider | Nation | Owner | Faults | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | STERN DEI FOLLETTI | KARRIE RUFER | USA | MORNING STAR SPORTHORSES, LLC | 0 / 0 | 40.74 |
| 2 | METEORIC RISE | BRYNA CLOSSON | USA | BRYNA CLOSSON | 0 / 0 | 41.09 |
| 3 | STEADFAST | TIFFANY FOSTER | CAN | ARTISAN FARMS , LLC | 0 / 0 | 41.35 |
| 4 | SHANROE PEETERS | KARRIE RUFER | USA | MORNING STAR SPORTHORSES, LLC | 0 / 0 | 42.17 |
| 5 | NIJINSKY 10 | REAGAN TOMB | USA | GREG TOMB | 0 / 0 | 43.84 |
| 6 | ITOULON S | SARAH LOTTIS | CAN | KEVIN LOTTIS | 0 / 0 | 44.04 |
| 7 | CALOX | KATRINA KOMITSCH | CAN | KATRINA KOMITSCH | 0 / 0 | 47.06 |
| 8 | ODYSSEUS | KYLE KING | CAN | PATRICIA VASEY | 0 / 4 | 41.31 |
| 9 | MY FERRARI | SAHANA GANESAN | USA | SAHANA GANESAN | 0 / 4 | 44.97 |
| 10 | HERMES DES CARMILLES | BRADEN JAMES | CAN | STUMP LAKE RANCH AND CATTLE CO LTD | 4 |
Photo credit: Kim Gaudry Photography
