PrintAmateur rider Katherine Bakker and Carambo Z beat a field of seasoned professionals in the $30,000 Split Rock Farm 6-Year-Old Young Jumper Championship Eastern League Finals.
When most amateur jumper riders go looking for a new show partner, they audition horses with plenty of miles in the ring. But not Katherine Bakker. When she bought Carambo Z as a 5-year-old jumper prospect, she knew she’d have her work cut out for her. But her decision paid off at the Hampton Classic, Aug. 24-31, when she and Carambo Z won the $30,000 Split Rock Farm 6-Year-Old Young Jumper Championship Eastern League Finals.
Bakker had to outride top grand prix riders like McLain Ward and Todd Minikus and their best up-and-comers to clinch the title.
“It’s a little nerve-wracking being an amateur up against such amazing professionals,” admitted Bakker, Winter Park, Fla. “Plus I’d never jumped big water on him, and I didn’t know if he’d spook at the water or the ditch, but he felt very confident.”
The 6-year-olds contested their final round on the Hampton Classic’s formidable grand prix field where some of the young horses appeared overwhelmed by the atmosphere, but the gray gelding galloped around like a veteran. Six horses jumped clear all week to jump off, and Carambo Z’s ground covering gallop helped him edge out last year’s top 5-year-old, Noël Love Gross’ Merlin and Jeffery Welles, who took second.
Bakker’s long-time trainers Wendy and Ezequiel Peralta acquired Carambo (Charming Z—Aramba Z, Akito Z) from Argentine breeders Ricardo and Marleen Kierkegaard. Though the Peraltas had bought plenty of horses from the Kierke-gaards in the past, they had additional first-hand knowledge about this pick, as Ezequiel rode the Zangersheide’s sire, Charming Z, and Wendy his grandsire, Akito Z.
“It’s fantastic that Katie wanted to take on a 5-year-old,” said Wendy. “Most amateurs want to win, win, win. There aren’t many amateurs who want to play with a young one. But he’s very noble and brave, and they’ve worked very well together.”
“Originally Ezequiel rode him more, but he’s been very cool and pretty easy—very mature for his age,” said Bakker. “He’s got a bit of a Napoleon complex—he’s only 15.3, but he thinks he’s about 17.3.”
A recent graduate of Rollins College (Fla.), Bakker works for the college’s museum and commutes half an hour each way to train with the Peraltas at their Seabreeze Farm in Geneva, Fla. To her, having a talented youngster makes the trek worth it. The Peraltas and Bakker made the championship a priority this year, and they prepped by traveling west to Spruce Meadows (Alta.) this summer to get some practice time on the grass.
Double Champion
Most show jumpers have their first opportunity to vie for a major championship as 5-year-olds, but when Tangelo Z earned top honors in the $20,000 SHF Enterprises 5-Year-Old Young Jumper Championship Eastern League Finals with Shane Sweetnam, he picked up his second consecutive national title.
When most amateur jumper riders go looking for a new show partner, they audition horses with plenty of miles in the ring. But not Katherine Bakker. When she bought Carambo Z as a 5-year-old jumper prospect, she knew she’d have her work cut out for her. But her decision paid off at the Hampton Classic, Aug. 24-31, when she and Carambo Z won the $30,000 Split Rock Farm 6-Year-Old Young Jumper Championship Eastern League Finals.
Bakker had to outride top grand prix riders like McLain Ward and Todd Minikus and their best up-and-comers to clinch the title.
“It’s a little nerve-wracking being an amateur up against such amazing professionals,” admitted Bakker, Winter Park, Fla. “Plus I’d never jumped big water on him, and I didn’t know if he’d spook at the water or the ditch, but he felt very confident.”The 6-year-olds contested their final round on the Hampton Classic’s formidable grand prix field where some of the young horses appeared overwhelmed by the atmosphere, but the gray gelding galloped around like a veteran. Six horses jumped clear all week to jump off, and Carambo Z’s ground covering gallop helped him edge out last year’s top 5-year-old, Noël Love Gross’ Merlin and Jeffery Welles, who took second.
Bakker’s long-time trainers Wendy and Ezequiel Peralta acquired Carambo (Charming Z—Aramba Z, Akito Z) from Argentine breeders Ricardo and Marleen Kierkegaard. Though the Peraltas had bought plenty of horses from the Kierke-gaards in the past, they had additional first-hand knowledge about this pick, as Ezequiel rode the Zangersheide’s sire, Charming Z, and Wendy his grandsire, Akito Z.
“It’s fantastic that Katie wanted to take on a 5-year-old,” said Wendy. “Most amateurs want to win, win, win. There aren’t many amateurs who want to play with a young one. But he’s very noble and brave, and they’ve worked very well together.”
“Originally Ezequiel rode him more, but he’s been very cool and pretty easy—very mature for his age,” said Bakker. “He’s got a bit of a Napoleon complex—he’s only 15.3, but he thinks he’s about 17.3.”
A recent graduate of Rollins College (Fla.), Bakker works for the college’s museum and commutes half an hour each way to train with the Peraltas at their Seabreeze Farm in Geneva, Fla. To her, having a talented youngster makes the trek worth it. The Peraltas and Bakker made the championship a priority this year, and they prepped by traveling west to Spruce Meadows (Alta.) this summer to get some practice time on the grass.
Double Champion
Most show jumpers have their first opportunity to vie for a major championship as 5-year-olds, but when Tangelo Z earned top honors in the $20,000 SHF Enterprises 5-Year-Old Young Jumper Championship Eastern League Finals with Shane Sweetnam, he picked up his second consecutive national title.
