We want to express our huge congratulations to Katie Ruppel and her long time partner Sir Donovan who finished an incredible 15th place at Rolex last month.
Katie has had a little of a Rolex bad luck over the last two years, but this year she was determined to put it all together. We she certainly made a good start by bagging herself a pair of Dubarrys by winning the Dubarry of Ireland Fashion Awards, impressing the judges at the horse inspection as the Best Dressed and Turned Out – cant say we are surprised!
Dressage was on the first of the two days – Thursday. Sir Donovan is such a big horse which means he can struggle with dressage and get a little claustrophobic, but he remained calmed and a safe test set them into 33rd position. Katie is a little superstitious and doesn’t walk the cross country course until after the dressage, so with Friday free it gave her plenty of preparation.
The course was as tough as ever but Sir Donovan being bred in Ireland is a true cross country machine and thankfully the pair stayed together this year and had an incredible clear round with only 1.6 time penalties, which moved them up into 17th place.
The show jumping phase was certainly testing, with only 4 clear rounds and no time penalties. Katie and Sir Donovan jumped a fabulous stadium round with only 8 penalties; this moved them up 2 places to finally finish in 15th – fantastic!! Lots of cheers to be heard from all her supporters, Patty Merli (Katie’s saddle fitter) and ourselves of course!
Last weekend Katie continued her excellent form at the Jersey Fresh CCI3* with Houdini. He had a lot to live up to from his stable pal! This was Houdini’s first outing at 3* but this didn’t stop them getting a fabulous result, in 10th after dressage and a clean cross country round and then only 4 stadium, moved them up to finish in 5th place. Some exciting times ahead with both of these top horses and we are proud to offer our support.
Katie rides in the Liberty Dressage and Paramour Event saddle.
