Wilmington, Ohio – November 18, 2024 – The stands of the Standlee Sanctuary were packed as exhibitors gathered to watch 22 show jumping athletes tackle Robert Barton’s (USA) track that saw seven combinations successfully move onto a nail-biting jump-off round. Summer Hill (USA) ultimately dominated the $30,000 Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Grand Prix, earning first place with her own Lausbub 458 (Lord Pizzaro x La Lolita) in 38.295 seconds, and third place with her La Belle SCF (Diktator Van De Boslandhoeve x Belle Bleu S) in 38.479 seconds.

A regular grand prix outing for Hill turned out to be a night to remember for her and her team at Fairbanks Riding. Kevin Gallagher (IRL) rode to second place with Procyon SCF, the first and only baby out of Hill’s top mare La Belle SCF.

Gallagher was tidy around the track with the eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding to finish on a time of 38.393 seconds, just shy of Hill’s winning time, but just enough to surpass his mom for second place.

Not only were there familial ties for Hill, but she also claimed the win aboard her most special eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding in just his second ever grand prix.

“I got Bubs when he was six. I don’t think anyone saw in him what I saw, that’s for sure, because they all questioned me. He has really just turned out to be so special. I think every once in a while, you come across a horse and everything about them is your favorite. Through and through he is the one horse that from start to finish I smile every day that I sit on him.”

Though he may have lacked the experience of the rest of the field, Lausbub 458 stepped up the plate with ease, “This is his first year stepping up. I brought him here last month and he jumped the $75,000 Grand Prix clear, and it was his first grand prix ever. He is such a tryer and I think because I am the only person that he has every really known in his career, I can ask him to do things and he thinks it is all doable.”

Hill commented on her jump-off plan, “I didn’t plan on going fast with La Belle, but since her only son was in the jump-off, I figured I would try to give him a run for his money,” laughed Hill. “It was a last-minute decision once I got in the ring to go fast. I am working on going faster with Bubs and at this point it is just practice, but tonight it just worked out. He is the one that I can ride fast, but La Belle I have to be a bit more tactical about.”

The future is bright for Hill as she looks forward to her international debut with her 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, “La Belle ships to Belgium in a week. I got in to jump the U25 Final in Genève in Switzerland, so that is so exciting! We will come home and relax a bit after that and then head to Florida with all of the horses.”

Final Results – $30,000 Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Grand Prix

1) Summer Hill (USA) & Lausbub 458, Summer Hill | 0 | 38.295

2) Kevin Gallagher (IRL) & Procyon SCF, Marigot Bay Farm LLC | 0 | 38.393

3) Summer Hill (USA) & La Belle SCF, Summer Hill | 0 | 38.479

4) Diana Conlon (USA) & Eldorado’s Edition, Vanessa McCaughley | 0 | 40.087

5) Jill Gaffney (USA) & FF Lady Grantham, Freestyling Farms LLC | 0 | 44.957

6) Izzy Beisel (USA) & Diaz Barbotiere, Izzy Beisel | 4 | 37.504

7) Megan McDermott (USA) & Nintendo, Counter Balance LLC | 8 | 35.079

8) Michael Burnett (USA) & Chagrand, Michael Burnett | 4 | 80.648

9) Megan McDermott (USA) & Alanine De Vains, Lindemann Barnett Sporthorses | 4 | 81.749

10) Patricio Rodriguez (MEX) & Corvet Enigma,, Patricio Rodriguez LLC | 4 | 83.436

Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center

Photos: © Winslow Photography

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