Shulman Desiderio Leads the Way in $30,000 Open Jumper Challenge presented by BrainJuice at 2024 Hampton Classic Horse Show
Bowery Finishes 1-2 in $10,000 Marders Local Hunter Derby
The 49th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show commenced Sunday with spectators at the Grand Prix Arena catching a glimpse of the FEI division to start later in the week. Israel’s Sydney Shulman Desiderio topped a field of 41 entries representing eight countries in the afternoon’s $30,000 Open Jumper Challenge presented by BrainJuice, posting a double-clear score of 37.744 seconds aboard Villamoura.
The Hampton Classic, August 25-September 1, is one of the world’s most prestigious horse shows, featuring competitors from young children in leadline to Olympic, World, and World Cup Champions. Rated USEF Premier-6 with designated FEI 5* and 2* show jumping classes, the Classic also has competitions for riders with disabilities.
Course designer Nick Granat (USA) presented competitors with a 14-effort, 1.40m track in the initial round for Sunday’s $30,000 Open Jumper Challenge presented by BrainJuice, which narrowed the field of 41 entries to 15 in the jump-off. Shulman Desiderio was one of the earliest riders to return and blazed into the top spot with Jill Shulman’s 15-year-old Selle Français mare in 37.744 seconds. She also placed fifth in 39.335 seconds aboard Django Semilly, Eloise Eisner’s 11-year-old Selle Français gelding.
“I’m really excited to be here, and it was a great start to our week,” Shulman Desiderio said. “I give a lot of credit to my team at Back Country Farm, the business I run with my mom, Jill Shulman. We’ve been prepping for the Hampton Classic for the last month. We gear up to this; it’s the end of our summer show season. They’re amazing, and there is no better way to start with a win. The horses also know it’s a special location and really rise to the occasion in this massive ring.
“With a horse like Villamoura, very rarely do I go full-tilt and not end up on the podium,” she added. “I can probably count on one hand how many times I’ve been beaten after going as fast as I can. I really thought I put it all on the table today and tried to make the others catch me, and I think going early actually changed the rhythm of the class since it was such a fast time to beat. Villamoura couldn’t have performed better. I’ve had her for almost nine years now, and I know her so well. We’ve done everything together, from 5* grand prix and Nations Cups to speed and winning-round classes, which she excels in. She performed beautifully today, and it was so much fun.”
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