TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--Three U.S. women led the victory gallop in the $32,000 CIS2* Grand Prix with Stella Wasserman at the front in her first international grand prix victory to finish two-star competition at Traverse City Horse Shows on Sunday, Sept. 14.

Stellla Wasserman on Myjorka Megan (Photo by Giese Media)Wasserman, 20 years old, rode Myjorka to win in an eight horse jump-off course designed by Guilherme Jorge of Brazil.

Wasserman finished in 32.38 to win over four-time U.S. Olympian Beezie Madden on Micky-Cara, clean in 33.59 seconds, and Lillie Keenan on Emerlon was third iin 33.98 seconds.

“This is really special,” said Wasserman. “I feel like I’ve been close a couple of times now and today it all worked out."

“This is an amazing horse,” she said of her 10-year-old Hanoverian a mare that she rides under the direction of five-time U.S. Olympian McLain Ward. “She’s game to do anything you ask and my plan worked out.”

Wasserman began riding Myjorka at the start of the year.

“McLain called one day and said he had a really special horse that just came in, and I that I should sit on her," said Wasserman. "It was like love at first sight. It was not as smooth sailing as some other partnerships, but once we figured each other out, it was great from there.”

“I ACTUALLY changed my plan a bit; the first line was five or six," said Wasserman of her plan for the jump-off. "My horse doesn’t have the biggest stride in the world, so we were planning on doing six, but I met the first turn so well. She was so with me that I saw it. Then, the eight worked out well to number two. From there, her foot speed is so quick that I could really challenge her. I knew everywhere I could give it a shot and trust her.”

Wasserman will next point Myjorka at five-star competition during the American Gold Cup at Flintfields Horse Park.