Speed was the name of the game in Friday’s Jump for Kevin Babington 1.20m, and Michelle Berry had plenty of it. The 16-year-old rode Traver’s Girl HS to the win in the class with a time of 62.455 seconds. Second place with a time of 64.018 seconds went to Savannah Hemby and Candil Vesper, and third place was earned by Laina Summers and Greannanstown Max a Million with a time of 64.430 seconds.

Michelle Berry and Traver’s Girl HS. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“I thought actually it was pretty difficult today,” said Berry of the course set for the January 17 class, sponsored by East-West Equine Sports Medicine. “I was worried about the last fence; I was worried about the turns. So, I was just really basing everything on [Traver’s Girl HS] – trusting her and being strategic around the course.

“We’ve been partners for over six years now,” said Berry of the 17-year-old Danish Warmblood mare. “She’s a 1.20m winner. She’ll go into anything with heart, grit and speed. We don’t ride her too much at home. She knows her job very well. She’s just a straight shot in. There’s no need to mess with it and get her worked up.”

For full results, click here.