It was a “shock and a pleasant surprise” for Kristi Nunnink to be charging around the Rebecca Farm show jump arena as this year’s winner of the The Event at Rebecca Farm. Nunnink successfully defended her crown from last year’s event in the CIC 3-Star division.
Nunnink, riding R-Star, was the only competitor to complete the show jumping phase without any penalties, moving from fifth place to the top position in the final day.
“R-Star’s show jumping is her forte,” said Nunnink, “and I always feel rather confident and calm going into the final competition. I think she’s jumping even better than last year.”
Katie Ruppel and her horse Houdini had one jump penalty and no time penalties to move from the fourth position to the second spot. One jump penalty and four time penalties for Katherine Groesbeck on Oz The Tin Man moved from second place to third. Groesbeck had been leading with her other horse, Oz Proof of Purchase, but four jump penalties and four time penalties dropped them to eighth.
“The Event gets better every year. Those of us from California or the West Coast are so happy to have the Broussards promoting the sport,” Nunnink said. “And I’m always amazed at how beautiful the cross-country footing is. It’s like a golf course.”