Brave Horse Week IV Features Exciting Hunter Derby
Despite intermittent storms throughout the weekend, Brave Horse Week IV competition was able to continue to the amazement of many including a judge who remarked, “there isn’t anywhere else in the country where it could rain that hard and then ten minutes later the show is able to resume.”The Footing First LLC premier footing and the drainage infrastructure in the seven rings has become a significant differentiator for Brave Horse Show Park.
One of the largest classes in Week IV was the USHJA National Hunter Derby, won by Caesar Augustus, a 9-year-old Estonian sporthorse owned by Anneliese Kolaska and ridden by Michaella Gerlacher of Willow Way Farm. This was Auggie’s second derby win at Brave Horse, having also won the class during Week I. Second in the derby was NADIA, owned by Twin Horses LLC and piloted by Willow Way rider Jacob Harris.
Caesar Augustus owned by Anneliese Kolaska and ridden by Michaella Gerlacher, photo credit Winslow Photography
Twin Horses LLC’s NADIA piloted by Jacob Harris, photo credit Winslow Photography
Michaella Gerlacher was also awarded the first-ever New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix & Family Day Rider Style award. Located several miles away, the Abigail Wexner-hosted Grand Prix celebrates its 20th anniversary on Sunday, September 24th and has raised $30 million to support the work of The Center for Family Safety and Healing. Brave Horse is a proud sponsor of The Classic and will present the rider autograph booth from 10:30-11am on the day of the event. Fans can meet some of the best riders in the world at The Classic, with legends like Beezie Madden, McLain Ward, Kent Farrington, Margie Engle, Todd Minikus and many more typically turning out to sign autographs and chat with guests.
Top rider Beezie Madden meets fans at The Classic, photo credit Lorn Spolter
Tickets to The Classic are available without fees at Equus Now! at the show rig during all Brave Horse shows or in the store during regular business hours.
In addition to the Rider Style Award, Brave Horse debuted a new 20th anniversary of The New Albany Classic jump. The jump will also be used in the Richard Jeffery-designed course at the New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix in September.
New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix & Family Day Jump at Brave Horse
“Abigail Wexner combined our sport with a critical community effort and has had astounding success over the past 20 years by changing the way our community responds to family violence,” said Matt Harris, owner of Brave Horse. “We congratulate her on this incredible milestone year and are grateful for the role The Classic has played in helping develop our sport in central Ohio and beyond. If it wasn’t for The Classic exposing so many people in the region to the sport there quite possibly would never have been a need for Brave Horse Show Park.”
In other Week IV action, large pony Lucerno, ridden and owned by Maggie Jacbos of Stealaway Farm, was a significant standout. The duo had a clean sweep of blues, taking the tri-color in the Large Pony Hunter Division and won the WIHS Pony Medal as well the Pony Hunter Classic.
Lucerno ridden by Maggie Jacobs, photo credit Winslow Photography
Competition at Brave Horse Show Park resumes with a regional competition August 24-27 and is followed by an A rated show August 31-September 3. Trainers and exhibitors are encouraged to submit entries as soon as possible as both weeks are expected to reach capacity.
Brave Horse will also host the prestigious Split Rock Jumping Tour for two full weeks this coming Fall (September 27-October 1 and October 4-8) immediately following The New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix & Family Day that takes place at the Wexner home nearby in New Albany on September 24. With three full weeks of show jumping presented at the highest level in greater Columbus, Brave Horse expects to draw spectators from throughout the midwest. More information can be found at Split Rock Jumping Tour.