Traverse City, Mich. – Sept. 16, 2021 – Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) brought another exciting tour stop to Traverse City, Michigan. The inaugural event features eight teams of six high-performance show jumping athletes from across the globe, and will offer over $6 million dollars in prize money throughout its ten events in 2021. Competition got underway Thursday afternoon in the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International ring, kicking off with the $5,000 1.40m Two-Phase CSI2*. A field of 28 international athletes had their shot at the top prize, but it was ultimately the United States’ McKayla Langmeier and Bahira S, owned by Rafferty Farm LLC, who rode away with the win.
Alan Wade (IRL) set forth a 13-obstacle track to challenge athletes through the power and speed format. The first portion of the course offered seven obstacles, including a two-fence combination, that wound their way around the expansive arena. The speed portion of the course included six obstacles with various opportunities to cut corners in the track in order to shave time off the clock. The first pair to navigate a double-clear effort was Lauren Hough (USA) aboard Chandler Meadows’ Christy JNR, crossing through the timers at the conclusion of the speed phase in 37.160 seconds. Just seven rounds later, Langmeier would breeze around the track with ease to overtake Hough’s lead, shaving nearly four seconds off of the leading time to finish in 33.860 seconds.
As a result of her impressive ride, Langmeier would hold her lead through the remaining 18 rounds of the class, with none able to catch her quick and careful finish. Though Langmeier only recently got the ride on the 11-year-old Oldenberg mare this past summer, she spoke highly of her talent and quick pace around the 1.40m track. Hough and Christy JNR would ultimately claim the second place honors, with Alessandra Volpi (USA) and her very own Foster 39 would round out the top three for their clear time of 37.660 seconds.
Immediately following, competitors returned to the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring for the $1,000 1.40m Two-Phase CSI5*. Competing over the same track designed by Wade and rising to the top of 21 starting entries was U.S. show jumping legend Margie Engle riding Storm Ridge Capital & Gladewinds Farm’s Aston de Etisses. The duo put forth a stellar double-clear effort to notch 37.340 seconds on the clock and claim the top prize. Taking home second place was Meadows (USA) riding her own Zamia 3 for their faultless time of 40.200 seconds. Rounding out the top three was Germany’s Wilhelm Genn aboard his trusty mount Bugatti, owned by Eduardo Leon, after crossing through the times in 42.220 seconds.
Major League Show Jumping competition will come to a pinnacle Friday afternoon with the action-packed $200,000 MLSJ Team Competition CSI5*.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
McKayla Langmeier – $5,000 Cabana Coast 1.40m Two-Phase CSI2* winner
On Bahira S:
“She is actually a newer mount for me. I got her at the beginning of the summer and she was originally with [Samuel Parot]. She is so much fun, she has a lot of energy and she has done a few 1.40m classes and she is a blast to ride. She always is a fighter and she is really quick off the ground, and she is always ready to go.”
On where she was able to win the class:
“I think from the wood vertical to the vertical on the side, I did seven or eight strides and she was right on board with me just the whole way round, so we were able to shave off a few seconds.”
On competing at the Traverse City Tournament of Champions:
“I have to say, this is probably one of my favorite places to show. The footing is great here, the whole atmosphere and the town is so nice, and they do a really great job with the show here.”
RESULTS
$5,000 1.40m Two-Phase CSI2*
Place / Horse / Rider / Country / Owner / Faults | Time
1. Bahira S / McKayla Langmeier / USA / Rafferty Farm LLC / 0 | 33.860
2. Christy JNR / Lauren Hough / USA / Chandler Meadows / 0 | 37.160
3. Foster 39 / Alessandra Volpi / USA / Alessandra Volpi / 0 | 37.660
4. NKH Shiloh / Christian Heineking / GER / NKH LLC / 0 / | 38.730
5. Chadina / McKayla Langmeier / USA / Linda Langmeier / 0 | 38.80
6. Italy HDH / Chandler Meadows / USA / Chandler Meadows / 0 | 41.620
7. Ma Pomme de Tamerville / Anna Wilks / CAN / IN Showjumpers / 0 | 43.180
8. Alejandro / Shane Sweetnam / IRL / Seabrooks LLC Spy Coast Farm & Shane Sweetnam / 0 | 45.890
9. Amazing / Dominic Gibbs / USA / Mountain King Ranch LLC / 4 | 36.580
10. Cliff Z / Georgina Bloomberg / USA / Gotham Enterprizes LLC / 4 | 38.630
11. Lucky Number Slevin 3 / Erin Davis-Heineking / USA / Heineking Show Stables / 4 | 45.580
12. Lucy In The Sky / Ashley Vogel / USA / Ashley Vogel / 5 | 49.910
$1,000 1.40m Two-Phase CSI5*
Place / Horse / Rider / Country / Owner / Faults | Time
1. Aston Des Etisses / Margie Engle / USA / Storm Ridge Capital & Gladewinds Farm / 0 | 37.340
2. Zamia 3 / Chandler Meadows / USA / Chandler Meadows / 0 | 40.200
3. Bugatti / Wilhelm Genn / GER / Eduardo Leon / 0 | 42.220
4. Indra Van de Oude Heihoef / Shane Sweetnam / IRL / The Blue Buckle Group / 0 | 45.620
5. Lafayette Van Overis / Adrienne Sternlicht / USA / Starlight Farms 1 LLC / 2 | 50.220
6. Lyranta Van’t Overis / Shawn Casady / USA / Neil Jones / 4 | 38.180
7. FR Yandoo Pennsylvania / Matthew Williams / AUS / Abigail Evans / 4 | 39.250
8. Darquito / Andrew Bourns / IRL / Andrew Bourns / 4 | 43.570