Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USA – 25, 2023 – The 2023 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), presented by MARS Equestrian™ continued on Wednesday, October 25, at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, where the day concluded with the $12,500 WIHS Adult Jumper Championships, sponsored by MARS Equestrian™. Kristan Lassiter (USA) on Elsa claimed the win in the adult class.

After the children’s championship, it was time for the adults to step into the spotlight, and it was Kristan Lassiter (USA) of New York, NY, with Elsa who let it go all the way to the win with the stop clock frozen at the final time of 33.880 seconds.

From the 25 starters, just five made it to the short course with Lassiter and Elsa last to go. Once again, it ended up being the final competitor to come away victoriously.

“This whole finals season I have been close to the last to go in the first round, and then this is my second time being last to go in the jump-off,” related Lassiter, who trains with Sarah Redman and Nicki Simpson. “This is like a dream come true. Last would not be my chosen spot, but then again, I don’t want to go first either.”

Despite some nerves, Lassiter had confidence in her partner of one year and was ready to ride into the unknown.

“Honestly, my horse is a completely overqualified grand prix horse, and I knew that she could do it, because I knew that she had my back and that I could count on her,” enthused Lassiter of her 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Wizzerd WV. “I actually was thrilled that we had the triple combination and that we had the liverpool because it was challenging but I knew my horse would know exactly how to handle that. For myself, I wanted to be careful not to pressure her out of the triple because she has such a huge stride and she jumped in well, so I knew it was going to get tight for her. She was right with me. I think you can tell she literally does whatever I ask her to do.”

The big grey mare was the star of the evening, living up to her in-barn reputation as the resident ice princess.

“She’s the queen without question,” stated Lassiter. “She definitely has told animal communicators that she is the barn favorite, and that is because she is very specific. She does not like other horses. She does not like humans walking by her stall. She doesn’t like other dogs or anything. She has her whole set up where she has her isolation spot. Her best friend is her hay net, which is kept full at all times, and we always greet her with a treat. We do everything in our power to let her be the superstar she obviously is.”

Part of the recipe for success with Elsa is that Lassiter and her team try to keep everything the same for her. Lassiter has a stretching routine with her, always ended with peppermint stretches to both sides, and they try to keep the same protocol in the schooling area so Elsa is never surprised. All of the special care and attention certainly paid off with Lassiter’s biggest Indoors achievement yet.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Lassiter. “It’s not even sinking in, because I just wanted to go double clear. I’m so grateful to my trainers and grooms and all my friends. The outpouring of support all day from my team was nonstop, and of course, I have to thank my husband who is the most patient man on the earth.”

Caroline Lloyd of Wellington, FL, rode Fallciana, a 10-year-old Holsteiner mare by Casall owned by Carolex Stables LLC, to second place in a time of 34.550 seconds.

Wynter Johnson of Cornelius, NC, and Cessna, her 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare by Cardento, finished in third in a time of 35.862 seconds.

Final Results – $12,500 WIHS Adult Amateur Jumper Championship

1) Kristan Lassiter (USA) & Elsa – 0 / 0 – 33.880

2) Caroline Lloyd (USA) & Fallciana – 0 / 0 – 34.550

3) Wynter Johnson (USA) & Cessna – 0 / 0 – 35.826

Source: Press Release from Jump Media for the Washington International Horse Show

Photos: © WIHS / Shawn McMillen Photography

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