13-Year-Old Lucas Mejia Fanjul Claims Children’s Jumper Classic Win at Vermont Summer Festival
July 21, 2019 - East Dorset, VT
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Lucas Mejia Fanjul of Southport, CT, won the $1,500 Children’s Jumper Classic on Sunday, July 21, during the third week of show jumping competition at the Vermont Summer Festival running through August 11 at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.
Mejia Fanjul may have been the youngest rider in Sunday’s starting field but it did not stop the 13-year-old from claiming victory in a four-horse jump-off. Posting one of two double-clear performances over the courses set by Mexican course designer Manuel Esparza, Mejia Fanjul rode Tauber van het Kapelhof to victory over runner-up Darby Madden of Winter Park, FL, aboard RS Zorro. Mejia Fanjul finished in 32.89 seconds, while Madden stopped the clock in 33.99 seconds.
A rider at Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport, CT, Mejia Fanjul competes under the direction of Cassandra Orpen and Jenny Martin-Rudaz. While he has been showing at the Vermont Summer Festival for seven years, Mejia Fanjul only stepped up to the High Children’s division this season.
“It was only my second week doing the highs, so I was happy just to make it to the jump-off,” said Mejia Fanjul. “I really only wanted a clear round. It just happened that I was fast and clear, and we are all very happy.”
Mejia Fanjul got the ride on Tauber van het Kapelhof at the end of the winter season in Wellington, FL, but the horse came from within the Fairfield County Hunt Club family. Formerly ridden by Donovan Ross, the 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Tauber vh Kapelhof x Thunder van de Zuuthoeve) now belongs to Mejia Fanjul.
“His personality is great,” said Mejia Fanjul of his new horse. “He loves his job, and I like that about him. He’s fun to jump, and I am hoping to be able to be successful in the high children’s in Wellington this winter and then continue to move up by next summer.”
Born into a show jumping family, Mejia Fanjul’s grandparents own horses in Colombia where his father, amateur rider Juan Pablo Mejia grew up. The legacy drew him to seek out riding in Connecticut.
“We would always drive past the hunt club, and I told my dad that I wanted to ride, so he got me some lessons there,” recalled Mejia Fanjul of his first time in the saddle at six years old. “One day, I fell off, and I told my dad that if I was going to get on again, he had to get on, too. Now I compete with him, and it’s the best thing in the world. Horse showing is what I love doing!”
Mejia Fanjul, who will begin eighth grade at St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's School in New York City this fall, also competes in the 3’3” medal and low children’s jumper divisions.
Of his time at the Vermont Summer Festival, Mejia Fanjul said, “I love being here, enjoying the mountains and going swimming in the quarry. I also love going out to eat here. I would say my favorite restaurant is The Chantecleer.”
Grace Taylor of Stowe, VT, had the fastest time of the day in 32.66 seconds, but finished third riding Darko C after a rail fell in the jump-off. Hudson Warren of Englewood, CO, was fourth riding Cleveland III while Phoebe Spar of Chappaqua, NY, capped the top five on Calinka.
Earlier in the day, Sophie Dewaal of Chappaqua, NY, won the $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Adult Amateur Jumper Classic riding Zorro before Elizabeth McKim of Wilmington, NC, claimed victory in the $5,000 Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic aboard Magnus QueQuen Mail. Ireland’s Kevin McCarthy closed out Sunday’s competition in the Grand Prix Ring with a victory in the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame (SJHOF) High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic for the second week in a row riding Gwen MC 1.
Now in its 26th year, the Vermont Summer Festival offers a dynamic competition schedule while also giving competitors an opportunity to enjoy the wide variety of entertainment, recreation, shopping, and dining options offered in Dorset, Manchester, and the surrounding area. A recent study conducted by the Center for Rural Studies at the University of Vermont cited that the total direct spending of visitors frequenting Vermont for equine-related activities is estimated at nearly $15.5 million annually.
Competition at the 2019 Vermont Summer Festival runs weekly from Wednesday through Sunday, beginning each day at 8 a.m. Admission is $5 for adults and children from Wednesday through Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children with 100 percent of all gate proceeds benefiting Dorset Equine Rescue, The Dorset School, and Manchester Community Library.
The Vermont Summer Festival is a proud member of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, the Marshall & Sterling League, and the North American League (NAL). For more information on the Vermont Summer Festival, please visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.
$1,500 Children’s Jumper Classic
Sunday, July 21, 2019
Rider Hometown Horse Faults/Time
1. Lucas Mejia Fanjul Southport, CT Tauber van het Kapelhof 0/0/32.89
2. Darby Madden Winter Park, FL RS Zorro 0/0/33.99
3. Grace Taylor Stowe, VT Darko C 0/4/32.66
4. Hudson Warren Englewood, CO Cleveland III 0/Elim.
5. Phoebe Spar Chappaqua, NY Calinka 4/70.02
