Clear rounds were in short supply in the MarBill Hill U25 1.40m, powered by Solaris Equestrian, on Friday.
Joey Rycroft’s 1.40m speed course saw rails fall throughout and it wasn’t until the third from last combination took to the tbird Arena that the first zero fault tally appeared on the scoreboard. Carly Stevens (CAN) and ESI Jet Set proved the course could be mastered. By the end of the class, they were the only pair to have accomplished the feat.
“I think because it was a speed [class] everyone was thinking they had to be fast, but there wasn’t many places to be fast,” said Stevens. “It was more about how tight you would be with your track and shaving off corners.”
Despite going late in the order and with no clears before her, Stevens didn’t adjust her plan. “I stuck to my strategy: just go in and be efficient, but don’t run too crazy.”
Three pairs came close to matching her clear. Natalie Popham and Jillz left all the rails in the cups until the penultimate jump, while Ashley Arndolt and Lestat OLD dropped a heartbreaking rail at the final fence. Only Eric Krawitt and Parabell Jmen came close to Stevens’ 70.28 second time, however. A refusal at the final fence put paid to his bid.
ESI Jet Set is 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse and joined Stevens string in March 2023. They’ve been slowly building up to the 1.40m/1.45m height.
“This was actually our first win together! So things are starting to come together and he jumps his heart out for me. I can’t really ask for more,” she continued, noting that ESI Jet is “a total goofball” in barn.
“He is a barn favourite, I’d say for sure. He’s a bit weird, but once he wins your trust, he is a very loving horse.”
$15,000 MarBill Hill U25 1.40m Speed, Powered by Solaris Equestrian
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time
1. ESI Jet Set / Carly Stevens / CAN / Susan Stevens / 0 70.28
2. Parabell Jmen / Eric Krawitt / CAN / Claire Wen / 4 70.89
3. Jillz / Natalie Popham / CAN / Natalie Popham / 4 75.97
4. Lestat OLD / Ashley Arndolt / CAN / Jennifer Arndolt / 4 76.44
5. Indiana II / Sloane Betker / CAN / Samantha Vanderwoude / 8 70.54
6. Bollinger / Allie Sullivan / CAN / Allie Sullivan / 8 77.87
7. Cassandro B / Locklyn Williamson / Graham Williamson / 12 87.35
8. Gryffindor de Hay / Dylan Munro / Attache Stables / 16 67.81
9. Princessa / Serenity Enders / CAN / Joyce Enders / 16 81.06
10. Nuovo Supremo / Jessa Rae Girard / CAN / Jessa Rae Girard / 20 99.13
