Fourteen adult equitation riders contested the course in the FarmVet Ring in hopes of returning to test for the Ariat National Adult Medal. With a first round score of 82 and a flawless test, Chloe Schmidt of Ridgefield, CT, captured the win aboard the seven-year-old Holsteiner mare (Cunningham x Luo-Luo), Dramatic TF.
Of the 14 original competitors, four were asked to return including Isabella Lombardo, Taylor Blackburn, Meghan Knapic, and Schmidt. Those that returned to test were asked to canter the first fence, counter-canter the second fence, canter fence seven, hand-gallop fence eight, and then exit the ring at a walk to demonstrate consistency and control of the horse.
Schmidt’s sister Katherine has owned the mare since her two-year-old year and says the win is extra special for her. “Our parents bought her for us and we’ve had a bit of help, but we’ve really brought her up ourselves,” Katherine said. “The fact that I can send my sister in there on her and they can win makes me really proud.”
Chloe Schmidt and Dramatic TF. Photo © Sportfot
“My sister Katherine has really brought her up and started showing her several years ago,” Chloe continued. “I just started showing her last year a little bit, but this is her first time ever coming to a show this big. She’s never been to WEF before, and she only started showing in the equitation about two weeks ago when we first came here.”
The sisters said they did not expect a win straight away with their mare but went in with a plan and trust in their young horse.
“It started to rain right before I went in, and she’s never shown in the rain,” explained Chloe. “I went in with the plan to just immediately go forward and develop a good canter and it all worked out. She’s a fast learner and seems to be good at this.”
Knapic and First Blue LLC’s Casino landed the second place ribbon while Taylor Blackburn and Carriage Hill Farm’s Victurus Te Salutat finished third. Isabella Lombardo rode Emily Sukert’s Liv to round out the top four.