Young Jumper and Hunter Champions Crowned During Fall Classic III at WEC – Wilmington

10 OCT 26 Wilmington, OH

A horse and rider jumping over a green hurdle in an indoor arena.

Wilmington, OH – Young hunter and jumper talent took center stage Saturday at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC) during Fall Classic III, where rising stars claimed championship honors in the $17,250 Young Hunter Championship 2’9″-3′ and the Young Jumper Championships across the 1.10m, 1.20m and 1.30m divisions, sponsored by IDA Development.

FF KitKat Carries Gaffney to $25,000 IDA Young Jumper Championship 1.30m Victory

A horse and rider jumping over a green hurdle in an indoor arena.
Jill Gaffney & FF KitKat. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Jill Gaffney secured the overall championship title in the $25,000 IDA Young Jumper Championship 1.30m aboard Freestyling Farms LLC’s FF KitKat (Kitt SB x Quiwi). The pair delivered consistent performances throughout the week, earning two first-place finishes and a third across three rounds of competition. The championship victory marked an exciting milestone for the pair, as Gaffney put the talented gelding’s speed and adjustability to the test.

A man in a blue shirt, a man in a pink polo holding a large check, and a woman on a horse wearing a winner’s blanket in an indoor equestrian arena.
Jill Gaffney & FF KitKat. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Gaffney shared that her husband, Trevor, first spotted FF KitKat at a schooling show at WEC – Wilmington last year. After watching the seven-year-old gelding jump just three fences, the couple knew they had found something special. “He has so much energy that the biggest challenge is getting him to slow down and take his time. We know we have something really special with him, and we’re so excited about his future,”  Gaffney shared.

Three equestrian riders in formal show attire standing on a winner’s podium decorated with purple mums and pumpkins.
$25,000 IDA Young Jumper Championship 1.30m podium: Champion Jill Gaffney (center), Audrey Schulze (left) and Vicente Guillen (right). Photo by Winslow Photography.

Despite his energy in the ring, Gaffney described FF KitKat as a laid-back character at home. “He’s absolutely mellow, like a puppy dog,” she shared. Looking ahead, Gaffney plans to continue developing the gelding’s experience at the higher levels before heading to Ocala in January. “He obviously has all the jump to jump the biggest fences, but it doesn’t matter how much jump you have if you can’t control getting there.”

Gaffney Doubles Down with FF Limited Edition in $15,000 IDA Young Jumper Championship 1.20m

Jill Gaffney began her winning ways, claiming top honors in the $15,000 IDA Young Jumper Championship 1.20m aboard Freestyling Farms LLC’s six-year-old gelding FF Limited Edition (For Pleasure x Annouk Van’t Goor Z). The pair delivered three clear rounds throughout the week, while Gaffney also secured third-place honors aboard Freestyling Farms’ six-year-old mare FF Mega Star (Big Star x Jumeirah).  

A horse and rider jumping over a blue, cloud-patterned obstacle in an indoor arena.
Jill Gaffney & FF Limited Edition. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Both six-year-old Irish Sport Horses were sourced in Ireland, with FF Limited Edition purchased as an embryo and FF Mega Star acquired as a foal. “Trevor and I are always thinking about the classes, the rounds and the education,” Gaffney shared. “As much fun as it would be to win this, it’s not always our end goal.”

A man, a woman, and a rider on a horse stand together in an equestrian arena holding a large check for $3,750.00 awarded to Jill Gaffney at the World Equestrian Center.
Jill Gaffney & FF Limited Edition. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Looking ahead, Gaffney expressed confidence in both horses’ futures. “I think Limited Edition is going to be an unbelievable amateur horse. He has a great brain, good blood and a great character,” Gaffney explained. “I think Mega Star is going to be one for the big classes.” Gaffney plans to conclude the year at WEC – Wilmington before heading to Ocala in January for the seven-year-old divisions.

Two equestrians in riding gear stand on a podium with ribbons, surrounded by mums and pumpkins in an indoor arena.
$15,000 IDA Young Jumper Championship 1.20m: Champion Jill Gaffney (center), Maleah Lang McMahon (left). Photo by Winslow Photography.

Evie Jaeckle and TJC’s Lana del Grey Claim $5,000 IDA Young Jumper Championship 1.10m Victory

A rider on a grey horse jumping over a purple and white fence.
Evie Jaeckle & TJC’s Lana del Grey. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Evie Jaeckle and TJC’s Lana del Grey (Dobel’s Cento x Role Model), owned by The Jaeckle Center, claimed top honors in the $5,000 IDA Young Jumper Championship 1.10m. Just one month into their partnership, the duo delivered three clear rounds throughout the week.

“I bought her about a month ago. We’ve just taken a little bit to develop a good partnership with her, and it obviously took some trust over these past few weeks,” Jaeckle shared. “It’s been unbelievable how much she’s grown. It’s been such a pleasure getting to know her.”

A rider on a grey horse stands next to five people holding a large ceremonial check for $1,250.00 at an indoor equestrian arena.
Evie Jaeckle & TJC’s Lana del Grey. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Having only competed in their first 1.10m class together the previous week, Jaeckle entered the championship with an open mind and confidence in her young partner. She praised the course design throughout the three days of competition, noting the opportunities it provided for developing horses to demonstrate their adjustability.

“I actually loved all three days of the classes. I thought they were really fair. I thought it was technical, but thoughtful for these young horses to start learning the more technical types of lines,” Jaeckle explained.

Three equestrians in riding attire standing on a winners’ podium decorated with purple chrysanthemums and pumpkins.
$5,000 IDA Young Jumper Championship 1.10m: Champion Evie Jaeckle (center), Molly Kindness (right), Alexa Thompson (left). Photo by Winslow Photography.

Returning for their first jump-off together, Jaeckle and Lana Del Grey rose to the occasion on the final day with another fault-free effort. “I’ve never done a jump-off on her before, so I was really excited. She really stepped up her game. I just asked her to open up a bit, and she was right there with me,” Jaeckle shared.

Matthew Piccolo and Bona Fide Claim $17,250 Young Hunter Championship 2’9″-3′ Victory

A rider on a brown horse jumping over a rail decorated with pink flowers.
Matthew Piccolo & Bona Fide. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Young hunter talent was also on display during Fall Classic III at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington, where Matthew Piccolo and Arrow Hill Farm LLC’s six-year-old gelding Bona Fide (Unlimited x Shire-Lee) claimed top honors in the $17,250 Young Hunter Championship 2’9″-3′.

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