Magness Conquers Upperville's Mud
By Betsy Parker
Maryland rider Tracy Magness added her eighth straight 2009 victory on the U.S. circuit Sunday at the Upperville Colt and Horse Show, winning the $100,000 Budweiser Jumper Classic and claiming the leading rider title at the historic horse show.
Magness rode Tarco Van Ter Moude to victory over a big course made more testing by the muddy conditions. Rain plagued much of the 156th annual show, turning the hunter side of Route 50 into a mudpit and forcing cancellation of many of Friday's jumper classes, but there was nothing but sunshine for the signature finale at America's oldest horse show.
Magness, 36, counted this her first win in the Upperville classic, and she considers it her finest moment.
Last year she was part of the gold medal U.S. Nations Cup team in Slovenia with Tarco, but Magness said joining legendary past winners such as Rodney Jenkins, Michael Matz and Katie Monahan Prudent was a career highlight. “Upperville is different. That makes it special.,” she said.
Magness' early draw on the Salem Farm grand prix field made her wary, but ended up an advantage.
“I was nervous to be second on course,” she said. “But it turned out better. I got fresh ground” over the huge Peter Holmes-designed route.
Double and triple combinations required a steady hand from the riders, while a lifesize Shamu killer whale from Sea World, and oversized beer bottles from title sponsor Budweiser, called for attentiveness from the horses.
Tarco Van Ter Moude, owned by Magness' parents Mr. and Mrs. John Bartko, thrived over the unique course.
“He loved it,” Magness said of the winning effort. They posted the only fault-free effort in the first round.
Magness and Tarco also won the Welcome Stakes over less demanding, but still high, fences...See the Wednesday print edition of the Fauquier Times-Democrat for the complete story.