DEVON, Pa--Kaitlin Campbell of Temecula, Calif. on Bull Run's Hesed won the $38,700 Devon Speed Derby on Friday, May 39 at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair.
Kaitlin Campbell on Bull Run's Hesed (Photo by Kind Media)Devon has suffered from unseasonable cold and rainy weather throughout the show, but on Friday evening, the show just lucked out, finishing the evening classes just before a violent thunderstorm struck, while neighboring areas were under a tornado watch.
Despite heavy rains and wind, there ware no damage at Devon and all horses and people were fine.
In the Devon Speed Derby, the long course set by Anderson Lima of Brazil began in the Dixon Oval, went into the Wheeler Ring and then finished in the Dixon Oval with a long run to the last fence.
McLain Ward on La Serra went third and finished clean in the fast time of 76.91, but Campbell had the advantage of going after him and finished clean in 75.10 for the win.
Darragh Kenny of Ireland on Epona DVE was third in 77.54, with Charlotte Jacobs on Thomascourt Ballypatrick fourth in 80.34.
"I KNEW McLain had been fast," said Campbell. "My plan was just to go as fast as possible. Hesed is so fast across the ground, and the faster he goes the better he jumps. My horse doesn't lose any time in the air, he jumps very close to the jumps."
"I've been riding him since last fall," she said. "He had been ridden before by Kristen Vanderveen, so it took a little while for me to get to know him and for him to get used to me."
"I grew up in Doylestown, so I did pony hunters and jumpers and junior hunters and jumpers at Devon," said Campbell. "I had a horse called Rocky that I won a lot on. The Devon crowd is the best crowd anywhere."
"I moved to California eight years ago," she said. "We don't come back for Devon every year, just when we have a horse good enough to show at Devon. We came just for Devon and we're going back to California right after the show. I won't even have to time visit any old friends."
On Saturday, Kim Buzby on Rumor Has It was Local Hunter Champion, Irene Neuwirth on Holland Park was Amateur-Owner Hunter 3'3", over 35, Champion and Brittany Warden on Bordeaux was Amateur-Owner Hunter 3'3",18-34, Champion.
