Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run's Jireh Capture the CSI1* Classic Champions Grand Prix at Live Oak International
Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run's Jireh. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
OCALA- Fla.– March 7, 2022 - Kristen VanderVeen (USA) and Bull Run’s Jireh earned the victory gallop in the CSI1* Classic Champions Grand Prix,on Oct. 5 at Live Oak International. The CSI1* division was a new addition to the 2022 schedule at the esteemed driving and show jumping event, offering more riders and horses the opportunity to compete in the world-class arena. The division was sponsored by Classic Champions, a nonprofit dedicated to the development and education of young jumpers. The celebrated FEI 4* course designer, Olaf Peterson Jr., set the track.
No stranger to the podium, VanderVeen piloted a new mount from her impressive string, Bull Run’s Jireh (Uriko x Conella - Colman), an 8-year-old bay Holsteiner gelding. During the previous day's CSI1* Classic Champions Welcome, the pair earned fourth place with a great round among formidable opponents. VanderVeen skillfully used Bull Run’s Jireh’s giant stride and rideability to her advantage to capture the win of the CSI1* $5,000 Classic Champions Grand Prix.
“Bull Run’s Jireh is a new horse that I have only had for a month or so, and I have only done two shows before this," said VanderVeen, who bases her Bull Run Jumpers out of Wellington, Florida. "With the atmosphere here at Live Oak International, I was really pleased with how he responded today."
Kristen VanderVeen gives the thumbs up aboard Bull Run's Jireh during the award presentation with
Juliet Reid and Classic Champion's Cynthia Hampton. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
The second-place finishers in the CSI1* Classic Champions Welcome, Lawson Whitaker and her own Brownies and Cream (Quintero x Vanilla G – Con Air 7), a 13-year-old Holsteiner mare, duplicated their placing, earning a second red ribbon. Brooke Kemper, who won the Welcome aboard Rocket J Squirrel, was third with her other mount Eton (Clinton x Nircolanda – Opstalon’s Ircolando), a 13-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Mary Meghann Huitt.
Cynthia Hampton (Wellington, Florida), the founder of Classic Champions, presented the Award of Distinction to Adrienne Sternlicht’s mount, Calisto Blanc (Cantolar x Cartirell – Cartogran), an 8-year-old grey Oldenburg gelding owned by Starlight Farms 1 LLC, The Classic Champions Award of Distinction is presented to the jumper selected by the judges to have demonstrated the quality of gaits, rideability, scope and potential to excel on the international stage over the two days of the Classic Champions CSI1* division at Live Oak International.
Calisto Blanc, ridden by Adrienne Sternlicht, earned the Classic Champions Award of Distinction. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
Classic Champions Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded in 2015 with the goal of implementing age-appropriate practices for the development of young jumper horses in North America. Classic Champions offers consulting, young jumper events and education designed specifically for 4-8-year-old horses to gain confidence and be competitive both in the United States and on the international stage.
For more information, please visit ClassicChampionsInc.com