Wayne, Ill. – July 29, 2018 – Competition at Equifest I concluded Sunday afternoon at Lamplight Equestrian Center with the Junior/Amateur jumper divisions in the Grand Prix Arena. In the final class of the day, Kelsey Thatcher and Everything finished in first place to take the victory in the $7,500 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur 1.40m Jumper Classic, presented by Hollow Brook Wealth Management.
Brian Moggre, the sensational 16-year-old junior rider from Flower Mound, Texas, was the first to go double clear in the class riding his long-time partner MTM Flutterby. Moggre and MTM Flutterby set the jump-off pace for the rest of the contenders, quickly navigating the short track in just 35.127 seconds. It is no secret that Moggre is notorious for being quick and careful, and he was able to hold onto his early lead until Kelsey Thatcher and Everything entered the ring.
Thatcher and Everything were determined to catch Moggre by taking quick turns while also being careful over each fence. After crossing the final oxer and leaving all of the rails up, Thatcher was able to narrowly beat Moggre’s time, finishing just four-tenths of a second faster in 34.785 seconds. Their spectacular jump-off would be enough to secure the first place finish. Moggre and MTM Flutterby would receive second place, followed by Annabella Sanchez and her own mount Incitatus rounding out the top three.
Thatcher has been with Everything, owned by the Thatcher family’s Pony Lane Farm, for six years since purchasing the gelding from Cian O’Connor. The pair has seen the winner’s circle many times together at competitions like the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida, and have been circuit champions in the high amateur jumper divisions for two years. The longtime partners were able to add another win under their belts with their impressive round at the Lamplight Equestrian Center.
Swapping first and second place, Moggre nabbed the win Sunday afternoon in the $2,000 Junior/Amateur 1.30m Jumper Classic ahead of Thatcher and Pony Lane Farm’s Disney. This time, Moggre was aboard Major Wager LLC’s MTM Los Angeles, and the pair navigated the only double clear round in the class with a quick jump-off time of 35.474 seconds. Thatcher brought home another top finish for the day with the reserve position in the class, while Emma Sargent and her mount Winchester rounded out the top three.
Sunday’s classes concluded the first week of Equifest. Equifest II competition at the Lamplight Equestrian Center will kick off Tuesday, July 31, at 8:00 a.m. in the Grand Prix arena.
FROM THE WINNERS CIRCLE
Kelsey Thatcher – SJHOF Junior Amateur Owner 1.40m Jumper winner
On Everything:
“I’ve had him for about six years now. I bought him from Cian O’Connor. We’ve jumped the WEF grand prix, and we’ve been circuit champions in the high amateurs two years. He’s a winner. He loves his job — he’s constantly playing in the schooling ring.”
On her rounds:
“The competition was all really fast. I don’t think I could’ve won on any other horse. He lands, and he’s just digging his feet into the ground and running. Normal horses land and wait for you to tell them to do it, but he’s always running towards the next fence. In the jump-off, it was land speed [to beat Brian Moggre’s time]. They’re both fast horses, and I did one extra step across the diagonal line but I hooked it in. He just landed and looked up for the next jump so we did the six, then he took off like a rabbit. Same thing to the last jump — I had zero strides straight, we were on the increase at a long distance, and normal horses would knock that down. He just tucks his feet, lands and continues running.”
On the Lamplight Equestrian Center:
“It’s great, it’s one of my favorite places to show! It’s beautiful and they keep the footing nice. The Jayne’s farm [Our Day Farm] is just 15 minutes away so I can go home and ride young horses, it’s so nice.”