Mia Mannis and Hollyday V Take the Blue in the $5,000 Welcome Stake Sponsored by Breakaway Farm to Kick Off the 2022 Devon Fall Classic
The historic Devon Show Grounds welcomed back competitors to the Dixon Oval on Thursday morning to kick off the 2022 Devon Fall Classic. The annual show offers interactive events for optimal family fun, top equestrian competition, and a community oriented atmosphere. Vendor village was full with eager spectators ready to pack the stands for the highlight class of the day, the $5,000 Welcome Jumper Stake Table II sponsored by Breakaway Farm. Entertaining the crowd as they topped the field of 15 competitive duos was Mia Mannis and Hollyday V.
Manuel Espara (MEX) designed a course well suited for the class. Espara set a 12-obstacle track that challenged the field of riders to showcase their technique and allow their horses to carefully jump over the towering wide oxers and tall, airy verticals. The sun set over the difficult course adding another element of difficulty for horse-and-athlete pairs as each jump had its own spooky shadow.
Mannis and Hollyday V had their game faces on as they confidently walked through the arch as the first to go in the order. Aboard her very own 10-year-old KWPN gelding, Mannis proved that this is the place Where Champions Meet. “He was difficult for me to ride at first and I was having a little bit of trouble. We just kept on working and we just stayed really patient and the past three grand prix’s he has jumped a clear round for me every single time. He jumps a clear round in pretty much every welcome and he is really an amazing horse, he is really like my child right now,” comments Mannis. Setting the tone with a textbook double clear round, the duo crossed the timers in the jump off round with a time of 36.578 seconds. Not one pair was able to catch up with Mannis’s blazing fast time throughout the entirety of the class.
Following closely behind to claim the red ribbon was Morgan Ward and her longtime partner, Colourful S. Ward piloted the 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Morlynn Farm to a confident, and efficient round. Although they were quick and careful around the track, they were not quite quick enough to catch up to Mannis and her winning time. With Ward’s seasoned guidance, Colourful S galloped powerfully through the timers in 38.124 seconds.
Read more:
