Cathleen Driscoll Can’t Stop Winning in Traverse City
Natalie Jayne’s partnership with Boheme Du Moulin hasn’t been a long one, but it’s been an especially successful one. Out of 13 first rounds together, they still haven’t had a single rail, and the cards fell in their favor Saturday to win the $30,000 Dechra US National Grand Prix.
“I’ve only had this horse for a couple months so I haven’t done many jump-offs with her, but I know she’s really fast,” Jayne, 19, said. “My plan was just to trust her and I know she’s careful so I can take a shot. It worked out today.”
The duo was one of seven to jump clear over the first-round track, going up against seasoned professionals. With a draw about midway through the order, she came back to jump off and set the pace at 40.828 seconds. Only Samuel Parot was able to beat that time, but it came at the expense of a rail down. With Jayne atop the podium, Delaney Flynn captured second place with Windsor Show Stables’ My Lady Carthago, and Ali Wolff took third with North Face Farm’s Nightmare 111.
A horse sent to Jayne by Hardin Towell to continue to produce, Boheme Du Moulin has been nothing but stellar since their partnership began earlier this summer.
“She’s one of the most careful horses I’ve ever ridden,” Jayne remarked of the 12-year-old Selle Français mare. “She hasn’t had a rail in a first round with me yet and we’ve jumped 13 rounds. She’s just unbelievable. She gives me so much confidence. I know I can take a chance with her and she’s going to help me.”
The win marks Jayne’s first grand prix victory, which is especially meaningful at a property the Illinois native has been attending since the beginning stages of her riding career.
“It feels really good, especially here,” she said of taking the win in Traverse City. “I’ve been showing here forever; this is my favorite show. It’s really fun to finally win one here where I’ve been showing since I was in the walk trot.”
A true lifetime competitor at the Flintfields Horse Park, Jayne has fond memories competing in the various arenas and exploring everything the town has to offer. “I’ve always loved coming here because you can go cherry picking, you can go out on the boat, there is so much to do around here,” she shared. “I’ve always loved the show grounds. I used to pick berries in the woods when I was little. Our whole barn loves coming here. It’s one of our favorite places.”
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