DEVON, Pa.--Charlotte Jacobs on Korbach van de Renger won the $210,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon in an eight horse jump-off from a Charlotte Jacobs on Korbach van de Renger (Photo by Phelps Sports)starting field of 23 on Thursday evening, May 28.

Earlierin the day, Amanda Steege on Lafitte De Muze won the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

In the Grand Prix, Jacobs was clean in 32.77 to beat Kayla Langmeier on Riesling van de Gassthoeve, clean in 33.48.

McLain Ward on First Lady was fourth in 33.53, Roberto Teran Tafur of Colombia on DSP Callas was fourth in 34.90, Ilan Bluman of Colombia on Acajou was fifth in 34.95 and Hunter Holloway on Hanry Jota Ariel, fastest of the four faulters, was sixth in 31.89.

"I just tried to stay on my plan and do the least number of strides between fences," said Jacobs."I watched McKayla go because her horse has the same stride as mine. I just gave it my best shot."

“The atmosphere at Devon is like nothing else," she said. "It’s incredible. I showed here a lot as a junior, and last year was my first year back since 2013. I came this week with horses that I thought would suit this ring, and I’m thrilled with the result.” 

"I bought Korbach at the end of his 9-year-old year." she said. "He had done some U-25 classes. I tried him and just fell in love with him. He has a lot of ability. He’s super athletic and very, very careful.”

"He was fourth in the Old Salem Grand Prix and is getting consistent now," said Jacobs. "So I'm happy with how far he's come in a year."

 

“I WAS VERY proud of my horse,” said Langmeier, who went before Jacobs . “He was there every stride with me today. I thought for sure I was beatable.Two of the turns I did an extra stride."

Amanda Steege on Lafitte De Muze (Photo by Phelps Sports)Langmeier trains with Ward now.

"When I was going to ask him if I could ride with him, I was so nervous," she said. "I went over it in my head for a week before I asked."

"First Lady has been a long time partner of mine," said Ward. "She's been going up and down from 4* to competing in the second classes at big grsnd prix."

"She doesn't have the stride the two girls' horses have, and I knew that," said Ward. I felt like in mid-course it was getting away from me. I couldn't have gotten seven strides to the last fence. i was very impressed with Charlotte."

"I have three training with me now," said Ward of Langmeier, Lillie Keenan and Stella Wasserman. "It's not training, per se, but just having had the experience and sharing how you deal lt with that.."

I love the idea of mentoring the next generation," said Ward. "Kent Farrington is mentoring Charlotte, and he's excited about being in Charlotte's corner."

Ward's daughter Lilly rode Celebration to the Devon Grand Pony Championship and was Best Child Rider on a Pony earlier at Devon. 

"I never got a ribbon on a pony at Devon, so she's already ahead of me," said Ward. "But in defense, her pony is better than mine was."

"She's persuiing her goals and her dreams," said Ward. "It's great to watch her grow. "My little one is ramping up too, so hopefully we'll come to Devon for many years to come."

“I always love to come to Devon,” said Ward. “The atmosphere here is as good as anywhere in the world. It always makes me feel very special to compete here.”

 

AMANDA PRESCOTT STEEGE on Lafitte De Muze won the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on Thursday morning.

Steege had a first-round score of 194, sitting in first place heading into the handy round.

In the second round, Steege and Lafitte had another top round, earning a handy score of 198.5 to secure the prestigious derby title with a combined total of 392.5.

“There are a few bucket list classes left that I want him to win, and this was one of them,” said Steege. “This derby has never completely gone our way. I’ve gotten ribbons in it before, but never been at the top. So that was extra exciting.”

“We came here with a goal and a plan and tried to make the right decisions for him during the week in order to get the best result that I could today,” she said. “It’s always nice when a plan comes together.”

“Devon is obviously a special show for all of us, but my mom’s family grew up in Fort Washington and Blue Bell, so I have a picture of my great-grandfather showing here in 1913,” said Steege. “It is an extra special place for me and always on our schedule and a show that I don’t want to miss.”

Steege has ridden Lafitte De Muze for nine years.

“I can’t imagine ever having as special of a bond with another horse as I have with Lafitte,” she said. “I’m his only rider. I’m the only person who’s ever shown him in a hunter class in the United States. For sure, for me, he’s the most perfect horse and most perfect partner that I ever could have imagined.”