It's Time for Devon 2011

Michael Hughes

The North Run domination of the Dixon Oval ended on a high note with a clean sweep of the WIHS Equitation Classic ~Jumper Phase with Michael Hughes posting a spectacular score of 96 to win Section A, just edging out barn mates Hayley Barnhill with a 94 and Charlotte Jacobs with a 93 in a three way California Split due to the large number of entries. 

Hayley Barnhill

Charlotte Jacobs

Clark and Brennan are no strangers to the winners circle at Devon, but this was a personal best, particularly on day one.  "I've come here a lot of years, and I don't think I've had the pleasure of having three of my students win all three sections of a class," says Clark.  "It's a cool moment for all of us.  These are three special kids, and I am so happy to work with them, so this is a nice moment." When asked to describe Michael, Hayley and Charlotte, Clark says "These kids are each great competitors, great students...they're winners, all three of them." 

Hayley Barnhill & Michael Hughes Missy Clark & John Brennan in Background

Missy Clark

Devon is an important show for Clark and Brennan, and they put extra time into the preparation of their students' horses.  "We usually take Monday off, but I said no Monday off this week! We worked all the horses to cue them up, and then the kids all had lessons on Wednesday."  Brennan adds "I think it's important for the horses to enjoy jumping to be able to perform well, so we don't jump them a lot at home.  They ride around in the Vermont mountain air and freshen up."

Fifteen year old Michael Hughes started and ended the day in the Dixon Oval by leading the victory gallop in both the A Section of the Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search and the WIHS Equitation Classic ~ Jumper Phase.  In between the two classes he also was awarded the Honey Craven Perpetual Memorial Trophy for the best round of the Talent Search and posted the highest score of the day, an astounding 96.

This is not Mike's first time at Devon, but it is his first time in the winner's circle, and clearly he likes it there, "My strategy was just to stay relaxed and go with the plan I was given."  Mike and his horse Coco Pop have only been together since September of 2010, but the partnership is rock solid. "Missy keeps Coco Pop the whole time, so I met them at a horse show two weeks ago to show him in a class, but that's about all the preparation I did there."

Mike has his eye on qualifying for both Young Riders and PrixdesStatesteams in 2011, as his passion is for the jumpers.  Due to his riding commitments he is home schooled, and his favorite subject is Spanish.  When asked what his favorite pastime was, he responded, "I don't usually do a whole lot more than study and ride.  I just don't have the time."

2010's Leading Junior Rider, Samantha Schaeffer is back to her winning ways in the Dixon Oval, winning both the Section B of the Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search and Section B of the Pessoa ~ USEF Hunter Seat Medal Class. By the looks of it, she's out to retain that Leading Rider title in this, her last Junior year.

The eighteen year old from Westminster, Maryland trains with Andre Dignelli and Patricia Griffith at Heritage Farm and is celebrating her eleventh year at Devon. "I love Devon. It's so much fun to win here.  They make such a big deal about it. There are only two rings so people come to watch.  It's such a fun show, I love it here."

Samantha's horse Charlie Z is a seasoned veteran who she has only shown once in Florida and last weekend at Old Salem. "He's been an Equitation horse for quite a while. He's really great...Andre owns him."

What lays ahead for Samantha? "Young Riders definitely.  I went two years ago, but my horse didn't want to jump the water so I did the speed, and it wasn't working out, so I withdrew.  I didn't get to do it last year, but this year I have a horse that will hopefully work out.  Jumpers are a challenge for me" says Samantha with a smile.

As for college, Sam is headed to Baylor in Waco, Texas in January after Indoors and will have a slot on the riding team there.  She'll tell you that she loves math and hates English.  "I like A + B = C. I like one answer. Much like riding a course.  If you do this right, then this is going to happen."

Emma Schauder, 15 from Greenwich, Connecticut comes from a riding family who has their own barn, which she works in each and every day.  "We have a couple horses at home, but during big shows I meet up with Stacia Madden (Beacon Hill) so that really helps. Stacia is actually the one who found my horse Lord Corda G who had been with Karen Healy and Ken and Emily Smith."

A student at public school, Emma works hard to stay on top of her studies making up for the days she misses while at the shows. "I keep at it.  I have a 4.3 GPA, so somehow I manage.  I like school.  It gives you a nice balance between the horse world and the real world."

This was Emma's second year at Devon, but her first ribbon, and it came in the hotly contested C Section of the Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search.  "It was such an amazing feeling when it all paid off in the ring," said Emma Schauder. "I felt my horse jumped a little bit high over everything because he's not used to jumping an impressive course like this one. It was like a dream come true.  I love the atmosphere here at Devon. This ring is so large and impressive. When you walk in, everything gets really quiet. It's your time, and there are so many people in the stands it feels like it's a really big event. It's exciting.  The adrenaline definitely gets going."