The Jumping finals is always a thrilling class to watch at the World Show but this year it was down right scary. The course, set by Mike Christenson, looked almost like a Grand Priz course rather than AQHA Jumping. The course consisted of 14 jumps, most of which were 4 feet high and some possibly higher than that. Comments from the stands were that most people were shocked at the size of the course. But as Charlie Carrel put it, "Well, this is the World Show so we all need to be prepared to jump a world class course". And the course was all of that and then some.
Virginia Hames, riding Dr Hollywood DVM said the course was "big, tight, and twisty. It was really trying. You couldn't even get straight to that diagonal line because jump number 2 was right in the way. The course was a challenge - big time". My horse was till for about 2 weeks prior to coming in here and we weren't even sure he would be able to go. But he has a lot of power and desire to jump, but his fitness level was sure no what it should have been. I really had to keep his motivation up".
The course was such a challenge this year that only Hilary Carrel of Colts Unlimited, riding last years World Champion Jumper, PRF Hitchin Fora Ride, went clear. Nancy Carrel, owner of the chestnut mare, said "it worked. I wore the exact same thing I wore last year. Same shirt, same sweater, same pin - I didn't dare change anything for fear of jinxing it." Wouldn't that be neat if wearing the same outfit again was all that it took to have back to back world championships.
Charlie Carrel very nearly joined his wife in a jump-off for the gold trophy but he had a late rail and 4 faults. "That was totally my fault," Charlie said. "I know this horse can not take off like that and not pull a rail. Totally my fault", he said. But Charlie was sure beaming in the win photo with his wife Hilary. Neither Carrel is a stranger to the winner's circle at the world show. Its becoming a family affair for them.
Earth To Wanda was the crowd favorite once again. With her husband cheering loudly from the stands, Grady and Wanda blazed around the course but faultered at one jump. She ended up pulling a rail and going to the 4 faults jump off with a few other horses. 5 horses ended the first round with 4 faults and they had a jump off to determine the 2 through 7th placings. The jumping was another amazing class to watch here. Its becoming a "must see" class when you are here at the show. Congratulations to all the exhibitors who braved the course.
World Champion - PRF Hitchin Fora Ride - Hilary Carrel up, Nancy Carrel owner. Reserve World Champion - Zutalkintome and Kimberly Seay 3rd - Prince Dell Te Fire and Amara Packwood 4th - Dr Hollywood DVM, Virginia Hames for owner Michael Wiley 5th - Celebration Time OQH sired by , shown by Charlie Carrel 6th - Jettin Boone, Vicki McAnus 7th - Earth To Wanda - Ellen "Grady" Williams 8th - Elegant Dimensions - Megan O'Brien 9th - No Accident OQH sired by Ima Soul Mate- Charlie Carrel 10th - SHL Gotta Luv Me - Miranda Rogers 11th - Louisanasaturdaynite - Carrie Parsons 12th - Rubys Work Of Art - Alfred Hewitt 13th - Streakin Rebel Bug - Marla Belt 14th - Ike Cadillac Cash - Hilary Carrel 15th - Navier Stokes - Raymond Coutley
Check back for more results coming soon. We'll be on scene here at the World Show all week.
