Well Played and Jennifer Jones Hit the Right Note for Grand Hunter Championship at Saratoga Classic I
The Saratoga Classic I awarded the first championships of the week on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at White Hollow Farm in Stillwater, NY. Well Played, ridden by Jennifer Jones and owned by Clementina Brown, was named the Grand Hunter Champion. In the Dammerman International Ring, Christian Coyle and his own Ma Pomme de Tamerville, were fastest to win the 1.35m Welcome Stake.
Well Played is usually ridden by trainer Chrissy Serio, but after a fall last week, Jones was asked to step in as the horse’s professional rider this week. Jones rode Well Played in the ticketed warm-up on Tuesday before entering the show ring on Wednesday.
“He was perfectly prepared for me both days, so I just had to get a little feel of him, and today I thought the trips were better, just because I knew him a tiny bit better,” said Jones, who is based in nearby Clifton Park, NY, this summer. “Today I was able to fine tune a few things, and I thought that was what made the biggest difference. He’s really brave, has a really nice jump, and a deceivingly long canter stride. He is so willing, and he does everything so well. He’s an absolutely beautiful horse, and he’s very nice to ride.”
The pair won every class in the Conformation Hunter division to handily take the Grand Hunter Championship.
Louise and Chrissy Serio saw Well Played, known as “Welly” in the barn, a year ago at the Blue Rock Horse Show with Jill Shull. Brown purchased Welly, and he finished his green year in 2025 before moving up to the Green Conformation Hunters in 2026. “Jill did a nice job with him, and we were just lucky to find him,” said Louise.
While Chrissy has been competing with Welly – including a model win and top ribbons at the Devon Horse Show – owner Clementina Brown will start to solely take over the reins and show in the Amateur-Owner 3’6” Hunters.
“He is a gorgeous horse,” Louise commented of the seven-year-old Westphalian gelding by Del’Arko D’Henvet. “He has been super for Tina. He’s very mellow, mild-mannered, and level-headed. There are a lot of things that make him good as an amateur horse. You walk in the ring, and you’re a little ahead of the curve with that beautiful look, and he’s a beautiful mover, not spooky, and has a nice stride. All those things make him lovely for anybody to ride, really.”
Serio showed regularly in Saratoga at its previous venue and has brought her business to White Hollow Farm for the past three years. “I like the showgrounds, and the competition is just right,” she described. “The ring is beautiful. They do a wonderful job keeping everything going, working the footing, and organizing the schedule. I like being close to Saratoga, and it’s a great place to be in the summer.”
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