Schut-Kery and Jersey Dominate US Festival of Champions Prix St. Georges
American Olympic star Sabine Schut-Kery continued her winning streak on Sonnenbergâs Jersey, securing victory in the Prix St. Georges class at the US Festival of Champions on Monday. The pair, undefeated since their debut last year, notched their 21st win in 22 outings, solidifying their position as a force to be reckoned with in the Intermediate 1 Championship.
The duo, competing in the first of three legs for the title, earned an impressive 73.441% for their performance. Their success story began in June 2023, primarily at national events in California, showcasing a remarkable partnership between rider and horse.
Jersey, a 10-year-old black stallion by Vivaldi out of Olympic Ferro, has a notable history. Originally campaigned by Kimberly Pap of the Netherlands, the horse achieved international acclaim, including a first-place finish in the World Young Horse Championships small final as a seven-year-old.
Sonnenberg Farm, based in Sherwood, Oregon, acquired the horse and entrusted him to Schut-Keryâs expertise. Their collaboration has yielded remarkable results, culminating in their victory at the US Festival of Champions Developing Prix St. Georges competition last year.
Olivia LaGoy-Weltz on Fade to Black, a nine-year-old Hanoverian mare by Fantastic out of St. Moritz, secured second place with a score of 70.677%. The pair previously claimed second place in the US seven-year-old championships in 2022. Fade to Black is owned by Mary Anne McPhail.
The competition saw a strong field of contenders, with Lauren Chumley on Leeloo Dallas taking third place with 69.088%, followed by Nadine Schwartsman on Be Happy SB (68.677%) and Siena Harris-Gissler on Electra DDJ (67.177%). Schwartsman also placed sixth on Seniorina Swarovski with a score of 67.118%.
The US Festival of Champions, held in Wayne, Illinois, continues to be a platform for showcasing the best of American equestrian talent. Schut-Kery and Jerseyâs dominant performance in the Prix St. Georges sets the stage for an exciting competition as they strive for championship glory in the remaining two legs of the Intermediate 1 Championship.
