An Auditor’s Take on the 2019 Benchmark Farms Jumper Derby

by Peyton Dvorak
Photos by Taylor Bohac

         June 1st was a blue skiedand breezy morning, and as my car pulled up to Liz Atkin’s stunning Benchmark Farms, the air was glimmering with excitement and the driveway was lined with sponsor banners. A long row of cars was parked in front of the gorgeous main barn, and spectators and riders alike were bustling from the barns to the beautifully decorated front porch.

Upon entering the barn, I was greeted by a gorgeously organized breakfast, and I arrived just as the clinic for the low jumper group was beginning their session on the flat with renowned clinician Diane Carney. I took my seat in the viewing area adjacent to the ring with my camera and notebook in hand, ready to soak up all of the knowledge I could get. The group’s flat consisted of lots of “leg riding”, which was a term Carney coined often in the session, emphasizing that riding from the leg is an extremely important component of riding on the flat and over fences. The riders worked with transitions from halt to canter and trot to canter to practice “riding off your leg and body, not your hand” and being “seamlessly forward” throughout the transition. The concept of the “pulley rein” was also discussed, both as a training and emergency method to try and stop the horse in an out of control situation. Riders paired this concept with halting in the corners of the indoor arena and using one's vertical position to halt their horse. Riders jumped a course that included an in and out with a liver pool, and a few jumps that would’ve been defined as spooky, such as jumps set with large barrels as filler. The riders jumped up to .80 m and .85 m and progressed steadily throughout their time over fences. Before long, the first group was dismounted and heading back to the barns to take care of their mounts, all with homework and things to think about for the next day’s competition, and the next group of the morning was walking into the ring to begin their clinic. This medium height group worked with many of the same concepts reviewed in the prior clinic, with more complex exercises, such as collection with shoulder in and shoulder fore. Carney also discussed the horse’s longitudinal and lateral movement, and how depending on their horse’s balance and way of movement, he may be more or lesseasy to collect and ride. Participants jumped a modified version of the original courses, with larger heights set up to make the exercises more challenging for both horse and rider. The medium group also ended with takeaways from their lessons and things to work on for their classes for the following day. The third and final group consisted of riders jumping up to 1.30 m on their mounts. During their session on the flat, Carney emphasized having the riders getting their horses to "track up” and “go forward” which had been previously echoed in the prior clinic groups. The advanced riders worked small cavalleti sets into their session on the flat, helping them prep for their courses later. When it came time for the over fences portion of the clinic the riders worked with liverpools, tricky bending lines, and two separate gate jumps, which is emulative of obstacles found in a typical jumper course. Carney worked with the riders on galloping to the fences and being bold in their riding, saying that pace and impulsion were on their side as the jumps went up. Carney also remarked that riders must “take and apply the riding lesson”, explaining that utilizing a concept that one has learned isn't a one and done process, that it is about practicing it and using it in all of your future aspects of riding and competing. This was a great closing comment for the clinic, as the next day, the riders would be showing in their respective classes and applying what they had learned during their lessons.  

Diane Carney and judge Sarah Booker provided commentary with each round.

The next morning, I arrived bright and early to Benchmark Farms to see riders, grooms and trainers hurrying around the grounds, preparing for the day's events. I peeked into the arena to see that a new and interesting course had been set according to clinician Carney’s direction, and a slew of fellow spectators had taken their seats, ready to watch the competition for the day unfold. As spectators quieted and commentator Diane Carney and Judge Sarah Booker took their places in the ring, students from the day prior filed into the arena one by one prepared for their rounds; only this time as competitors. Every rider and horse were beautifully turned out and prepared for the competition. Each pair was allowed a few warm-up jumps coached by their respective trainers before the actual rounds to keep with the tone of education set by the clinic day. After their warm-up, competitors started their rounds around the challenging track for the day, and upon finishing, returned to Carney and Booker to review their performance, and talk about positives and things to improve upon. Carney made a point to a nervous rider after their round that made me personally reflect.  She wisely stated that getting nervous is a natural part of showing, but the only element that was different from the clinic the day prior was the fact that you dress up in different clothes. This piece of advice can be easily translated to all of us, as the only part differing a horse show from our regular practice riding is the added element of dressing up, which creates an unconscious anxiety. This is definitely somethingthat was eye opening for me and it seemed to help the rest of the day’s riders as well.  Watching every round was exciting, and the crowd kept the energy up by cheering during each of the class's jump offs, which made things even more entertaining. 

Chloe Butler and High Altitude with trainer Andrea Hendricks.

Earning the first blue ribbon of the day was Chloe Butler and High Altitude in the Voltaire Design Jumper Derby. Liz Atkins competed in and won the Lewis Veterinary Services Jumper Derby aboard Carletta. Both winners were awarded ferns thanks to Showplace Productions.

Liz Atkins and Carletta earned the second blue of the day.

After both morning classes had wrapped up, attendees made their way up to the facility's balcony to be greeted by a gorgeous champagne brunch sponsored by Homestead Veterinary Hospital and Pro-Stride. Over the delicious lunch, those present were briefly educated on the new technology behind Pro-Stride, a new veterinary treatment, by Dr. Mark Cassells from Homestead Veterinary Hospital, and Pro-Stride representative Emily Lundstrom. Auditors could also speak with a representative from Voltaire Design, who was present at the event. As lunch came to a close, viewers were called back to their seats to prepare for the last event of the day, the Benchmark Stables Jumper Derby.

Chris Johnson and Dutch Martini flew to the win in the final Benchmark Stables Jumper Derby of the day.

With the crowd cheering and the air filled with excitement, we all watched as Chris Johnson and Dutch Martini soared through their jump off to secure the top spot on the podium. After their victory gallop, special awards were handed out to participants, including Best Turned Out Horse and Rider, sponsored by Cynthia Zitko, which went to both Cassandra Jarchow and Casino RSS and Catie Hope Rose and Johnny Bravo. Both riders were awarded special prizes, as well as a fern. Most Improved Rider, which was sponsored by Pouwer Patties, went to Skyler Hendricks riding The Countess and the Dover Sportsmanship Award was won by Nancy Desmedt. Commentator and clinician Diane Carney closed the Derby by thanking the event’s sponsors and congratulating the riders, saying that they had all improved and rode well.  

Nancy Desmedt earned the Dover Sportsmanship Award.

Overall, my time spent at the Benchmark Farms Clinic and Jumper Derby was wonderful, informative and exciting. Liz Atkins and the Benchmark Team put on a spectacular event, and Diane Carney allowed for it to be an educational experience for everyone in attendance. I'm so thankful to have audited and can't wait to head back next year!