Bringing along a young horse is often much like figuring out a puzzle, and on Friday, Jenny Karazissis and Cat’s Meow put all of the pieces together perfectly to earn the win in the $20,000 DIHP Young Hunter Classic, sponsored by CWD Sellier.
The pair earned scores of 89 and 87 to secure victory in the two-round class with a 176 overall score. Finishing in a close second place, with a total score of 175, were Nick Haness and Navarino, owned by Brianne Tsakopoulos. Third place went to Marisa Metzger, who piloted Stephanie Lightner’s Nieto to an overall score of 166.5.
Jenny Karazissis and Cat’s Meow. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“I couldn’t be happier going into next year with this win that we had today!” said Karazissis, who has had the ride on Cat’s Meow for owner Lisa Hankin since early 2024. “He’s very green, but you can just see the potential. He’s so refined and a beautiful mover. He’s super brave at the jumps. He could not have been better today, and I could not have a better owner in Lisa Hankin because she is all about the process and bringing them along.”
While Karazissis has high praise for the 6-year-old Holsteiner, she initially turned down the opportunity to ride the young horse.
Jenny Karazissis rode Cat’s Meow to victory in the $20,000 DIHP Young Hunter Classic, sponsored by CWD Sellier. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“I actually declined because I’m getting up there, and I don’t get on 6-year-olds anymore!” said Karazissis. “We have a student that we used to teach, so we suggested that they allow her – through our guidance and Kost [Karazissis] on the ground – to bring him along. Then, I was watching him, and I was like, ‘Huh, I think I want to ride this horse!’ He’s just got a very calm demeanor, and he’s little, so I feel like he’s very manageable for me. So, we talked to Lisa who was all about it, and here we are!”
The months since Karazissis took over the ride have had their ups and downs, but Karazissis is excited about the future for the American-bred horse (by Contefino).
“He’s progressed so much. In the beginning, we’d have a good round here and there, but mostly it was training while showing,” explained Karazissis. “We’d iron things out, and then something else would appear. We tried to tackle all those things; my husband, Kost, who’s my ground man, really knows what kind of exercises to build at home to prepare him for the show ring…There have been a lot of nice Contefinos, so I’m really proud that we have him. I’m super excited.”
For full results of Friday’s $20,000 DIHP Young Hunter Classic, sponsored by CWD Sellier, click here.