Schuyler Riley and Iceman de Muze
Upperville, Va. – June 6, 2019 – Jumper competition at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show, presented by St. Bride’s Farm, concluded on Thursday with the $30,000 Upperville National Grand Prix, presented by the Palm Beach Masters Series, where Schuyler Riley and Iceman De Muze bested 40 horse-and-athlete combinations to claim the blue ribbon with a quick and clear jump-off effort.
Alison Robitaille and Flairvona
Ireland’s Alan Wade designed a first round course of 12 obstacles that saw 10 combinations produce clear efforts over to advance to the jump-off. Upperville, Virginia, native Alison Robitaille led the way during the tiebreaker aboard The 500 Hats LLC’s Flairvona, galloping to the first double-clear finish in 36.322 seconds. Their faultless and quick performance held for first place for the majority of the class, while many others struggled with navigating the double combination and two tight rollbacks throughout the short course.
As the last to go, Riley and Iceman De Muze, owned by E2 Show Jumpers, raced to catch Robitaille’s time, finishing clear in 35.184 seconds after taking a chance at one of the last verticals on the course. The risk paid off to take over the top position and win the class. Riley just took over the reins of Iceman De Muze in January, but the pair have clicked very quickly with the 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion showcasing his natural talent at some of the best horse shows in the country.
Samantha Kasowitz and Charlie
Rounding out the top three was Samantha Kasowitz and Fair Play Farm, LLC’s Charlie, who stopped the clock in 36.538 seconds for third place, while Anna Dryden rode Van Schijndel’s Double Bee, owned by Double Meadows Farm, LLC, to the final double-clear finish of the jump-off in 37.930 seconds for fourth place honors.
Thursday’s victory ultimately earned Riley the “Gladly” Trophy, donated by Wetherburn Farm and Mr. and Mrs. Stephen McViegh, and the winner’s cooler, donated by Skyland Farm.
Schuyler Riley and Iceman de Muze with Kathy Russell of the Palm Beach Masters and Barbara Roux, President of Upperville Colt & Horse Show.
On Friday, international competition will begin in the B&D Builders Jumper Ring I with the $71,200 Upperville Welcome Stakes CSI4*, presented by the World Equestrian Center. Saturday’s highlight event will be the $35,700 Upperville Speed Stakes CSI4*, presented by GW & Wade.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Schuyler Riley – $30,000 Upperville National Grand Prix, presented by the Palm Beach Masters Series, winner
On Iceman De Muze:
“This is a new horse for me and I am just starting to get to know him. We jumped some smaller classes at WEF and I did one 4* grand prix at WEF. He was great with one down on the grass. We were just at Devon and he jumped incredible there placing in the national grand prix. What I have learned is that he has an unbelievably big stride and he really does follow my eye, so I can manage the track almost like an equitation round. Iceman has a very strong character and he has a lot of self confidence. He loves his job, but he does want to do it in his own way. The more I let him do it his way, the more successful he is.”
On the jump-off:
“Knowing the jump-off track and how big his step is, I was really confident that I could leave out strides and make sure the turns were better. I used his step to my advantage and he really did follow my eye and took off just as fast as I wanted to the last vertical. I knew I could take a breath down the last line and he jumped with total class.”
On the Upperville Colt & Horse Show:
“I love Upperville! I always loved coming to Middleburg and Upperville before, but the horse show has been taken to a whole new level. It is one of the best horse shows in the country if not the best and the footing is amazing — the best footing I have jumped on this year. I definitely see it as top sport here. I am excited for the weekend and international competition.”
RESULTS
$30,000 Upperville National Grand Prix, presented by the Palm Beach Masters Series
Place / Horse / Rider / R1 Faults | Time / R2 Faults | Time
1. Iceman De Muze / Schuyler Riley / 0 | 73.583 / 0 | 35.184
2. Flairvona / Alison Robitaille / 0 | 72.041 / 0 | 36.322
3. Charlie / Samantha Kasowitz / 0 | 73.834 / 0 | 36.538
4. Van Schijndel’s Double Bee / Anna Dryden / 0 | 72.313 / 0 | 37.930
5. Dasino / Tomas Yofre / 0 | 69.588 / 4 | 34.565
6. Imagine Van De Hermitage / Mark Bluman / 0 | 72.502 / 4 | 34.611
7. Kavalli Di Magico / Tomas Yofre / 0 | 72.433 / 4 | 39.931
8. Baloucento 2 / Ailish Cunniffe / 0 | 71.295 / 8 | 38.174
9. Baloutinue / Adam Prudent / 0 | 68.877 / 19 | 53.177
10. Ikea / Lillie Keenan / 0 | 70.880 / EL
11. Sydney Une Prince / Katherine A. Dinan / 1 | 75.391
12. Fecybelle / Karl Cook / 4 | 69.348