The 2024 ESP October horse show got underway on Friday with the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, sponsored by Pilates Rocks, on the Derby Annex field. Keri Kampsen (USA) delivered an impressive performance with Check Please, co-owned by Keri Kampsen and Lexy Reed, claiming victory with a score of 172. Kampsen also took second place, riding for Tracy Thompson, with a score of 166 aboard Bonbon, owned by Legacy Equine LLC. Wrapping up the top placings was Jodie Camberg (USA) aboard Kascht VDL, owned by Kallie Nemmers, with a score of 164.
"This is my first summer not leaving and it’s been great," explained Kampsen. "I love the shows here. It's easy, it's friendly, the horses all get a chance to really get acclimated to the jumps and are able to get a feel for it so that when we get to WEF [Winter Equestrian Festival], it's not such a big deal."
Kampsen earned the prestigious USHJA National Hunter Derby Overall Series Award presented by Parlanti, and a $1,000 Parlanti gift certificate, for her outstanding performances throughout the Summer Series. Kampsen accumulated the highest total points in hunter classes, demonstrating remarkable consistency and skill across all competitions. Her dedication, horsemanship, and excellence in the ring have set her apart as a top competitor this season. This achievement is a testament to her hard work, focus, and passion for the sport.
The $10,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Open Stake kicked off competition Saturday morning on the Derby Field. Tanimara Maria Macari Carrillo (MEX) captured first place with a double-clear performance aboard her own horse, Febvre De Lusse, clocking in at 39 seconds. Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) earned second place on Baroness, owned by Leeann Ablin, with a clear time of 39.667 seconds while Juan Jose Bancalari Elmudesi (DOM) secured third with a time of 40.481 seconds aboard his own entry, Cascais HC.
Following the conclusion of the 1.40m Open Stake, the Derby Field hosted the Omega Alpha 1.35m Stake, where Ballard (USA) dominated the competition; earning first, second, third and fifth place. Delivering a flawless double-clear round aboard Highlander, owned by Ilan Ferder, Ballard secured the blue ribbon with a time of 46.272 seconds. Ballard secured second with Ilan Ferder’s Lissabon with a time of 47.967 and third place with Chatadel PS, owned by Jose Salgado Negrete, with a time of 49.72 seconds.
ESP October concluded competition on Saturday with the $1,000 2’6”/2’9” Hunter Derby, sponsored by ArthramidVet, highlighting the talents of top hunters. Mackenzie Katz (USA) claimed the win aboard Crush, owned by DMK Equestrian LLC, with a combined score of 168. Megan Edrick Wexler (USA) took second place with Vincente, owned by Patricia Woodman-Hooker, scoring 162. Joanne Clemente (USA) rounded out the top three with Channing, owned by Horselux LLC, with a score 155.
ESP October wrapped up on Sunday with the $24,999 Score at the Top Grand Prix, where Venezuela’s Luis Fernando Larrazabal galloped to victory on Baroness in a thrilling jump-off.
Out of twenty-one entries, twelve horse-and-rider pairs advanced to the jump-off. Larrazabal secured the win with a fault-free time of 39.383 seconds on Baroness, owned by Leeann Ablain. Robert Blanchette (IRL) finished in second place with a time of 39.905 seconds on Chardonnay, owned by Ridersmith, LLC. Clinching the third-place title was Erynn Ballard (CAN) and Ilan Ferder’s Mullentine Shalom, with a double-clear time of 41.089 seconds.
Currently we plan to continue the ESP Fall Series next week with ESP Fall I with schooling sessions scheduled on Thursday, October 10th and showing Friday, October 11th - Sunday, October 13th. For upcoming prize lists and schedules, please click HERE.
ESP October Photo Gallery
