PrintTracy Magness and Tarco Van Ter Moude jump to the biggest win of their careers in the Budweiser/Upperville Jumper Classic.
Just about every little girl on a small pony dreams of one day winning a major grand prix. For most, however, that dream will never become reality.
But Tracy Magness defied the odds during the $100,000 Budweiser/Upperville Jumper Classic during the Upperville Colt & Horse Show, June 1-7, when she and John Bartko’s Tarco Van Ter Moude posted the only clear round in the field of 19 to clinch the biggest win of their careers.
“I couldn’t believe it,” said Magness of her win in Upperville, Va. “This is the highlight of my career so far.”
This victory held special meaning for the 37-year-old from Baltimore, Md., because she’s been competing at Upperville since her small pony days.
“I never in a million years thought I would win this class,” she admitted. “I was on the USEF Developing Riders tour in Europe last year. Since I came home, I’ve won 10 grand prix classes with Tarco. He’s been on a roll. When we were over there, we won the [CSIO**** Lipica (Slovenia) Nations Cup]. The experience really gave me confidence.”
Second to go in the featured jumper class, Magness laid down the first clear round of the day at a blazing pace. To her surprise, the next time she entered the ring was for the awards ceremony, not the jump-off.
Hometown rider Alexa Lowe, Upperville, Va., came closest to Magness as the fastest four-faulter on Windsor Farm Sales’ Credit Cruise. Margie Engle, Wellington, Fla., and Hidden Creek’s Coraya Z followed close behind to take third.
“It was nerve wracking. As the class went on, people were having faults so they were being more careful, just trying to get around clear. Then there were time faults,” explained Magness.
Time isn’t usually an issue for her, though. “I have a pretty fast horse. If I ride him well and he’s going well, the time allowed usually takes care of itself,” she said.
Magness and the 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Darco—Pleiade de Revel) have won eight grand prix classes since January. The big bay has always been a consistent competitor, but he’s reaching new heights this year. Although Tarco was a successful jumper in Belgium before Magness imported him, he hadn’t yet reached the grand prix level.
In addition to being a successful performance horse, Tarco is a valued member of the family. Magness is involved in his daily care and doesn’t have a groom at home.
“He’s a lover. He loves to be petted, and he’s quirky about some things,” said Magness. “He’s hilarious—he has an attitude about a lot of things, but he’s fantastic in the ring.”
Heavy rains in the days preceding the class forced show organizers to move earlier classes from Upperville’s big
