THE SPORTS DESK
BETSY CARTER’S HORSE SCENE: Flexible, Jersey Boy win USET honors
BY BETSY CARTER / FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR
FLEXIBLE IS THE United States Equestrian Federation’s International Horse of the Year, and Jersey Boy was named National Horse of the Year.
Flexible is a 1996 Irish Sport Horse Stallion by Cruising, out of Flex. He is a show jumper owned by Harry and Mollie Chapman and ridden by Rich Fellers.
In a world of show jumpers dominated by tall horses from 16–17 hands, this 15.3-hand chestnut horse has had to work a little harder. When Harry Chapman first saw Flexible, he thought he was a pony. However, that little horse is a package of power over a fence, with speed to match.
Flexible and Fellers’ highlight of the 2012 season was a win at the Rolex/FEI World Cup, an international event. That win was the first time an American pair has won the World Cup for 25 years. They also placed eighth at the 2012 Olympics in individual jumping.
Jersey Boy, a show hunter, is a 2002 Hanoverian gelding by White Star, out of an unknown dam. He is owned by SBS Farm and ridden by Jennifer Alfano. He is known as the quintessential Hunter Derby Horse.
Since the inception of the International Hunter Derby four years ago, Jersey Boy has dominated the field. He leads the National Hunter Derby life time earnings with $196,640, having won 20 hunter derby classes and three series championships.
At the 2012 U.S. Hunter Jumper Association International Hunter Derby Finals, Jersey Boy stood at third place following the Classic Hunter round. However, he aced the Handy Hunter class. moving into first place with an overall score of 588.25.
—Betsy Carter can be reached at The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401; or by fax at 540/373-8455.
