Vermont Summer Festival
Hero's Grand Prix Run
The Vermont Summer Festival is a venue JJ traditionally targets as a peak riding goal each season — and this year was no exception. Hero competed across both weeks of the festival, jumping the Grand Prix and also entering the Welcome class, something JJ does not normally do. Despite a rail here and there across the classes, the overall performance left JJ feeling proud and deeply grateful for her partnership with Hero.
After reviewing rounds mentally and on video, JJ reflected: "I can only be super happy and proud of my boy… I can always count on him to go be my partner at any venue at any time, knowing he'll try his best for me." Whether the occasional rail came from Hero's extra energy or JJ not fully processing it in the moment, the bond between horse and rider remained the defining story of the week.
With the calendar year not yet finished, new goals are already being set for the upcoming season — because as JJ puts it, "the work never stops."
A Star Is Rising
Odin W Steps Up to the 7-Year-Old Division
Young horse Odin W (Baltic VDL x Corland) made a major leap this season, stepping up to the 7-Year-Old Young Jumper division at 1.30m — catching up to his age group in impressive fashion.
Odin jumped a clear round described as "awesome," earning praise from JJ and the team. His growth and development have been a consistent bright spot throughout the season.
At the Vermont Summer Festival, Odin continued his upward trajectory, performing like a superstar in the 7-year-old division with clear, confident jumping. Earlier in the season at World Equestrian Center – Ocala, Odin also went double clear in the 1.10m on a Saturday morning, finishing 8th — a strong result for a young horse finding his footing at the top level.
KWPN Keuring — The Netherlands
Thes-Sinaa Earns Ster Predicate
One of the most prestigious milestones of the season came from overseas. The 2023 KWPN filly Thes-Sinaa (Camargo x Quidam de Revel) was awarded the Ster predicate at the 2026 KWPN Keuring in the Netherlands — a significant honor in the world of Dutch warmblood breeding.
JJ extended heartfelt thanks to Marijn Soetekouw and Martijn van der Linden for taking such wonderful care of Thes-Sinaa and presenting her so beautifully at the inspection. Congratulations were also extended to her breeder, Henry, on this outstanding achievement.
Fieldstone Show Park
Latin Sugar Z & Kobalt
Latin Sugar Z delivered a double clear round to earn a place in the $20,000 1.25m Prix at Fieldstone Show Park — a standout result in a competitive class. Also returned after the weather disruption with a clear round in the 1.20m, finishing in 3rd place.
Kobalt returned to the show ring after wind cancelled most of the previous day's activities, posting a clear round in the 1.20m and finishing in 1st place. Both horses showed their class and consistency.