Six years after they first topped the $50,000 WCHR Professional Challenge, Amanda Steege and Lafitte De Muze returned to the class winner’s circle Wednesday night at the Capital Challenge Horse Show (Maryland). They set the tone on Wednesday in round one with a leading score of 93.66 and followed it up with 91.16 for a total of 184.82 that bested the field by six points.

David Wilbur piloted Four Aces, owned by Marita Zuraitis, to second place with an 88.41 in round one and a stellar 90.33 in round two for a total of 178.74. Michael Britt-Leon and Private I, owned by Kelly Sims, placed third with scores of 90 and 87 for a 177.

In their seventh year together, Steege is mindful of “Lafitte’s” career and plans his schedule accordingly.

“We pick certain classes throughout the year that we really aim Lafitte for and try to have him peak at,” she said of Cheryl Olsten‘s 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Darco—Everlychin de la Pomme). “Derby Finals was obviously one of them, and this class was one of them. I felt so happy that the plan came together here, and I’ve really been working with Lafitte. We have this motto of ‘calmly confident’—just trying to go out there and pick up the canter and show a little pace without overdoing it and attacking the jumps.

“Now here we are, seven years later, and to win this same class again is very exciting,” she continued. “I think it’s remarkable to have a horse like Lafitte for seven years and have him still be so at the top of his game. Every round that I do on him, he tries so hard. He never comes out of his stall and feels like he doesn’t want to go to the ring. I just am so thankful to have him for the last seven years, and I’m looking forward to quite a few more.”

Watch Steve’s post-class interview with clips from her round, courtesy of Capital Challenge Horse Show:

Steege noted that Lafitte is “unbelievably intelligent” and “really a ham” who is always up for a photo op and posing with his prizes. While Steege and Lafitte have an incredible partnership, it’s Steege’s boyfriend, Tim Delovich, who “is so responsible for Lafitte being Lafitte.”

“Lafitte is amazing, but he’s an athlete and he’s sensitive,” she said. “Tim is his person and sort of pulled it all together with him. I really do think Lafitte understands this whole thing and that he’s really supposed to be showing off when he’s out there. He makes us all better.”

Following Capital Challenge, Lafitte de Muze will make his debut appearance at the Washington International Horse Show.

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