Erynn Ballard Claims Top Two Spots in Traverse City Jumper Classic

What Happened

Canadian Olympian Erynn Ballard secured both first and second place in the $20,000 1.40m-1.45m Jumper Classic at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF) II. Riding Fave d’Athuit, an 11-year-old Selle Français gelding owned by Ilan Ferder, Ballard topped the jump-off with daring stride leave-outs. Her second mount, Ginger ASK, earned her the runner-up spot, though Fave d’Athuit proved quicker. This victory marked Ballard’s second major win of the week in Traverse City, following a successful Welcome Stake outing.

Why It Matters

Ballard’s success serves as tactical preparation for the highest level of the sport. Fave d’Athuit, recently returned from Europe, is being aimed at the World Championships in Aachen. Using classes at slightly lower heights (1.40m-1.45m) allows riders to refine speed and technical turns without the maximum physical toll of a 1.60m Grand Prix. Ballard is also defending her title as the Leading Open Jumper Rider at Traverse City. Maintaining this momentum is crucial for bolstering FEI world rankings and securing positions on national championship teams. Traverse City functions as a mid-summer hub where North American riders compete against top-tier talent while managing their horses' peak fitness for major championships. The venue offers familiar footing, enabling riders to practice challenging maneuvers like tight turns or leaving out strides, skills directly translatable to the 1.60m level. This story highlights the significance of the Selle Français breeding in modern jumping, as seen in Fave d’Athuit’s pedigree, and the strategic welfare considerations riders employ for their high-performance horses.

Competitors heading into the season can find show tack and riding equipment ahead of entries.