John French and Paradigm Prove Unbeatable in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

John French continued his successful week with a victory aboard Paradigm in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on Saturday, June 17, 2023, during World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) competition at the Saratoga Classic I, held during the 25th anniversary of Saratoga Horse Shows, at White Hollow Farm in Stillwater, NY.

A competitive field of horse-and-rider combinations contested the first-round track set in the Bainbridge Hunter Ring. French of Wellington, FL, and Paradigm, owned by Meredith Lipke, produced a smooth round to earn scores of 86 and 89 with four high-option bonus points added to each score for an overall total of 183. Following the conclusion of the first round, French and his mount sat in second place. The pair then executed an impressive handy round, handling the tight turns and high options with ease, and were rewarded by the judges with base scores of 92 and 93. With the addition of four high-option bonus points to each score, French and Paradigm finished with a second-round total of 193 to put them at the top of the class.

“I knew going into the handy I had to make it count,” explained French. “Amanda [Steege] and Lafitte de Muze were four points ahead of me. There was quite a tight turn from fence one to two, and the second jump was a high option. I kind of debated it, and then I saw my student Ariana Marnell do it very well. I thought if she can do it, I better try to do it. Paradigm did it really well. From his jumper experience, he turns easily, and it was a course with a lot of tight inside turn options. He then galloped up to the last jump. I couldn’t be happier with his round.”

The duo has been developing their partnership in the derby ring throughout the year, but are no strangers to the winner’s circle having won an international derby during the 2023 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.

“He was purchased at the end of the winter last year from Mike McCormack and Tracy Fenney,” said French of the 11-year-old Warmblood gelding. “I really just show him in the derbies and occasionally do the High Performance Hunter division. He has jumper experience, so we didn’t do the First Year Green divisions. We went straight to the fun classes. Right now, we are gearing him up for the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship in Kentucky.”

In addition to being a competitive partner in the show ring, Paradigm is a reliable mount for French in many ways.

“I broke my leg last year, and when I came back from the injury they told me I could ride one horse a day,” shared French. “I chose Paradigm. I trust him. He’s the most comfortable, and he is not spooky. He’s the horse that got me back in the saddle and in shape.”

First-round leaders Amanda Steege of Califon, NJ, and Lafitte de Muze, owned by Cheryl Olsten, received second-place honors. The pair earned a total score of 187 in the first round and a score of 188 in the handy round. Caroline Signorino of Basking Ridge, NJ, and Geradus, owned by Meridian Farm LLC, finished in third place with a first-round score of 173 and a second-round score of 184.

Click HERE for full results.

David O’Brien and El Balou OLD Save the Best for Last in the $25,000 Saratoga Grand Prix

David O’Brien (IRL) and El Balou OLD, owned by Leap Year Farm LLC, claimed victory in the $25,000 Saratoga Grand Prix.

A field of 20 horse-and-rider combinations tackled the first-round track set by Michel Vaillancourt (CAN). Ten combinations managed a fault-free effort to secure a spot in the jump-off, with O’Brien and El Balou OLD as the last pair to qualify.

“It was a nice course,” said O’Brien of the first round. “I liked that there were options to go inside in a couple of places to make up time. My student Stephanie Garrett also competed; it was a great course for her as a junior to get more mileage, show against professionals, and gain confidence.”

The jump-off proved to be a challenge, with only two competitors producing clear rounds. Fourth to return, David Tromp (USA) and HHS Good Times, owned by David Tromp Show Stables, were the first to go clear across the short course in 36.232 seconds. That result held up until last to go, O’Brien and El Balou OLD, left the poles in the cups in a speedy 35.545 seconds for the top prize.

“I did the normal striding down the first line,” said O’Brien of his jump-off course. “El Balou OLD did the seven strides easy to the double, and then I just stayed steady around the course. He’s naturally just really quick, so I didn’t have to push him much. Everything comes up easy on him. To the last fence, I just set him up and got him home.”

O’Brien has formed a strong partnership with El Balou OLD during the past two years. They have earned many top placings together including a grand prix win at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, NC, in May 2023.

“I’ve been quite lucky with him,” shared O’Brien of the 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Eldorado VD Zeshoek. “He has a lot of character. He’s my main horse, and I’d be lost without him. He’s part of the family. The Keenan family owns him with me, and they have been very supportive. I’m hoping to compete him in FEI classes in Michigan later this summer, so I brought him here to get a few classes under his belt without too much pressure.

“This is my first time at Saratoga, and I really like the atmosphere,” continued O’Brien. “It is relaxed which is great for my students to gain confidence and move up to bigger classes. There’s a great feel to the place. I like that there’s less pressure, so it gives us a chance to really work on things in the show ring.”

Tromp and HHS Good Times ultimately finished in second place. Stephanie Garrett (USA) and Darius de Kezeg Z, owned by Postage Stamp Farm LLC, had the quickest jump-off time in the class of 35.211 seconds but had an unfortunate rail for four faults to finish third.

Sunday, June 18, will be the final day of hunter, jumper, and equitation competition at the Saratoga Classic I, and pony riders will take the spotlight with the $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby.

Click HERE for full results.