Washington, D.C.—Oct. 29

Intra-barn competition can prove to be awkward at times. What happens when one barn mate beats the other one, or vice versa? Rivalry? Unspoken competition and tension? Not for Madison Goetzmann and Katherine Strauss who both tied to take home the championship honors in the high junior/amateur owner jumper division at the Washington International Horse Show.

And while both competitive riders training with John and Beezie Madden, the close competition actually brings them together instead of create a rift.

“Obviously Beezie really sets an example for us, but Maddie and I really push each other and support each other at the same time” said Strauss of New York City.

“Two weeks ago she was actually gold in Prix des States and I was silver individual so that kind of pushed me a little more to try and beat her this week,” said Goetzmann. “We push each other and try to put one/two finish so that a tie for champion was even better.”

Goetzmann brought herself up to the tie with Strauss after producing an untouchably speedy round in the jump-off of today’s $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic with Beezie’s old mount Wrigley (Padinus—Roxanne B) to win that class.

Madison Goetzmann and Wrigley captured the win in the high junior/amateur-owner jumper classic round to tie for the division championship. Photo by Mollie Bailey.

“First of all I loved the jump off course,” said the 16-year-old from Skaneateles, N.Y. “As soon as I saw it I knew Wrigley was going to have an easy time going fast and turning tight. I knew that Katherine was also a very quick rider, and I knew I had to go in and be aggressive—but not too aggressive—in the jump-off. Wrigley was amazing throughout the course, and we were able to just beat Katherine.”

Meanwhile Katherine’s consistency with All In (Aachen—Orlandaise) over the past three days of competition boosted her to the championship. That pair’s been on a roll this season, coming to Washington straight off winning the junior jumper title at the Pennsylvania National.

“He’s a little bit of a hot horse,” said Strauss, 17. “So I try to stay very smooth and relaxed, and he’s very different from my horse Capacity [who was second in today’s classic.] My horse All In likes me to stay out of his way and let him do his thing.”

Both riders also train for the equitation with the Beacon Hill team, including Stacia Madden, Krista Freundlich and Max Amaya.

“It’s such an honor to be up here with her,” said Strauss. “Like I said, we really push each other and support each other at the same time. It’s so fun to compete and having such a friendly competition. It’s just great to be here.”

Katherine Strauss and All In tied with barnmates for the high junior/amateur-owner jumper championships. Photo by Mollie Bailey.

Today’s big winners in the low junior/amateur competition also train together. Heritage Farm students Isabel Ryan and Sophie Michaels both came center ring for big awards today. Michaels claimed the blue ribbon in today’s low junior/amateur-owner jumper classic aboard Darero, and Isabel Ryan claimed the division championship after riding Levistano 2 to second in the classic. A win yesterday and third today boosted amateur Beth von Brecht and Melody to the reserve title.

Both Michaels and Ryan reviewed their plan with Heritage Farm head trainer Andre Dignelli.

“I think Andre gave us really similar plans,” said Ryan, who also rode Abilitydance in the division. “We had to do a turn in the beginning to make sure we were direct in the six [strides] which worked out well for ‘Levi’ because then I was able to turn back and I actually saw a five in the next line, which was amazing. He was so good. He really stepped up and helped me through that line because it was so long. He was really responsive today.”

Isabel Ryan and Levistano 2 took home the championship title in the low junior/amateur-owner jumper division. Photo by Mollie Bailey.

Michaels went last in the jump-off.

“I knew that Isabel was winning and she was clear and fast,” said Michaels. “I knew if I wanted any shot of winning I’d have to really go for it. It was a jump-off where you had to do tight turns, and I trusted Darero that he’d be able to do what I asked of him.”

Michaels leases Darero, an 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Ginus—Uit Hauke W) from Sweet Oak Farm.

“He’s really competitive,” she said. “He’s always game to do whatever you ask. He’s a really good horse. He’s sort of like a bouncing ball—you just have to go forward and you’re good. He’s really adjustable, he’s careful. He wants momentum to the jump, but if you’re going at the right speed he’ll do anything.”

Michaels, 18, took a break from her studies at Yale University (Conn.) to win in the capital.

“I really wanted to put in an effort to go to all four finals,” said Michaels, Deerfield, Mass. “It’s been great because Yale is only an hour and a half from Heritage. It’s been easy to come during the week.”

Ryan, 16, was extra excited to finish on top alongside Michaels.

“I couldn’t ask for how this turned out,” she said. “I mean, I got to share first and second with one of my barnmates and I still ended up champion, so that was great. And Levi and [Abilitydance] have been both so good. I couldn’t ask for it to turn out better than that.

Sophie Michels and Darero bested their barnmate Isabel Ryan in the low junior/amateur-owner classic round to take home the blue ribbon. Photo by Mollie Bailey.

Beth Von Brecht and Melody earned reserve champion honors in the low junior/amateur-owner jumpers. Photo by Moliie Bailey.