Washington, D.C.—Oct. 23

Charlotte Powers has only been showing jumpers for a year, and she’s doing it on a former event horse, but she and Escot 6 both performed like seasoned professionals in the $10,000 WIHS Adult Amateur Jumper Championship.

“It’s been 10 or 15 years since I seriously competed,” said Powers, Ashburn, Virginia, who competed in hunters and equitation through college. “The speed was definitely a change of pace. Qualifying for these finals was a goal at the beginning of the year, then we just wanted to go clean. We were sixth at [the Pennsylvania National Horse Show] last week being conservative, then this week he told me he didn’t want to be conservative!”

Escot 6 and Charlotte Powers were the fastest in the jump-off for the $10,000 WIHS Adult Amateur Jumper Championship to take home the win. Kieran Paulsen Photo

Five-star eventer Colleen Rutledge bought “Monkey,” a 13-year-old Hanoverian (Escudo I—Leca, Le Primeur), from Mara DePuy in 2014 and rode him as far as the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2016. He placed third in the advanced division at Pine Top Horse Trials (Georgia) in February 2017, but that was his last outing as an event horse. Powers returned to the United States in early 2018 after 1 1/2 years working in Windsor, England, and told her sister Justine Powers Jarvis she was ready to get back into showing. 

“He wanted a change of career, and I really wanted to show again, so Justine helped me find a horse to lease,” said Powers. “One month in I was like, ‘I can’t give him back.’ Colleen was very kind to let me buy him during the year. I could never ever part with him; he’s just the sweetest. I’ve been [to WIHS] to watch a very long time ago, so coming here I was very excited and very nervous. Outside of the ring he’s spooky, but in the ring he never looks at anything; he’s so brave. He’s very fun, but he’s different every day, so you never really know what you have until you get in the ring.”

Charlotte Powers rode former event horse Escot 6 to the win in the adult jumpers. Kieran Paulsen Photo

Megan Winkhaus took reserve in the adult jumpers with Speedy Chicolina. Kieran Paulsen Photo

Last year’s winner Stephanie King returned with a new mount Lexus this year and took third with him in the adult amateur jumpers. Kieran Paulsen Photo

Hannah Showell took fourth with Penn in the adult jumpers. Kieran Paulsen Photo

Nadalin Puts Her Faith In Boujis At Washington

Caroline Nadalin was feeling the pressure before she headed into the ring for the jump-off of the $10,000 WIHS Children’s Jumper Championship at Washington International. Nine advanced to the short course, but the race against the clock was proving to be the downfall for many of the competitors.

There was a sharp inside turn following the double combination, but many riders came to grief there. There were a couple of near misses as horses weren’t sure where they were supposed to go, one fall in the turn and then an elimination when one horse jumped the fence her rider was trying to turn inside.

But Nadalin had to put their troubles out of her head.

“My trainers told me I could do it, so I just believed in it,” she said. “I knew my horse could do it, so I just had to believe that I could do it, so I just went in and did it.”

Caroline Nadalin won the $10,000 WIHS Children’s Jumper Championship with Boujis. Kimberly Loushin Photo

That proved to be the key, as she stopped the clock in 34.75 seconds with Boujis to take the win over Katalena Prusso and Camera Ready.

“This win, it’s super exciting,” said Nadalin. “I trust this horse with my life. He’s amazing, and I’m just so happy I got to do it with him.”

Lots of love for Boujis from Caroline Nadalin. Kimberly Loushin Photo

Nadalin, 14, Plain City, Ohio, paired up with Boujis about a year ago. The 18-year-old Irish Sport Horse by Cumano had years of experience in the low and medium amateur-owner jumpers, so Nadalin has used that to her advantage.

“He’s so experienced, so when he gets in the ring he just knows what to do, and you just have to point him to a jump,” she said. “He’s got it under control. He’s just been the best to work with, and every time I’ve gone in the ring it’s just gone better and better.”

Caroline Nadalin jumped double clear with Boujis for the win in the children’s jumpers. Kimberly Loushin Photo

Camera Ready and Katalena Prusso jumped double clear to take second in the children’s. Kimberly Loushin Photo

Katalena Prusso gave Camera Ready lots of love. Kimberly Loushin Photo

Stella Propp was third in the children’s jumpers with Baral Preciosa. Kimberly Loushin Photo

Ella Domenicone rode S Acorada Donaldson to fourth. Kimberly Loushin Photo

Sofia Car and Meghan Finlay were fifth in the children’s jumper championship. Kimberly Loushin Photo

The Chronicle will be on site at Washington International all week. Keep up with all  the Chronicle’s online coverage, and follow the Chronicle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @Chronofhorse. We will have full analysis of the competition in the Nov. 18 issue of the magazine. Subscribe today!