Fortunate Son Wins June’s Show Jumping Hall of Fame Horse of the Month Award Sponsored by Markel

Fortunate Son Wins June’s Show Jumping Hall of Fame Horse of the Month Award Sponsored by Markel

Lexington, KY – July 16, 2024 – Oakland Ventures LLC’s Fortunate Son has been named the winner of June’s Show Jumping Hall of Fame Horse of the Month Award Sponsored by Markel.

Piloted by amateur rider Natalie Jayne of Elgin, IL, the 8-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding competes in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series’ East Conference presented by Rood & Riddle. The pair had a successful time at the Traverse City Spring Horse Shows, riding into several top placings in the 1.30/1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumper division. During Week 2, they claimed second place in the $5,000 SJHOF 1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic, which helped them to earn that week’s division Championship. Then during Week 3, they returned to the Turtle Creek Casino International Ring for top honors in the $5,000 SJHOF 1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic, securing that week’s Reserve Championship and both the Horse and Rider of the Month awards for June. 

Fortunate Son with Natalie Jayne

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame conducts its Jumper Classic Series with classes at approximately 80 horse shows each year. The Series hosts classes for junior and amateur riders at both 1.40-1.45m and 1.30-1.35m in two Conferences – the East Conference presented by Rood & Riddle and the West Conference presented by LEG Colorado Horse Shows. The Series culminates in a West Conference Championship Final at Blenheim EquiSports’ International Jumping Festival in San Juan Capistrano, California, and the overall Series Final at the Washington International Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

Each month, the Series honors the one rider and one horse that earn the most points in Series competition that month. For year-end awards, the Series recognizes each conference’s Leading Rider and Leading Horse; the East Conference Leading Rider Award is sponsored by LAURACEA, and the West Conference Leading Rider Award is sponsored by Palm Beach International Academy. The winner of each year-end award receives an engraved Tiffany crystal trophy and complimentary admission to the Hall of Fame’s annual Induction Ceremony and Awards Gala in Wellington in March, during which they are honored for their achievements.

The 2024 winners of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Horse of the Month Award Sponsored by Markel are:

• January – Abigail Gordon’s Nice Girl De Muze Z
• February – CSH Equine LLC’s Cocaine De Riverland
• March – Coleridge Equestrian LLC’s Killossery Kaiden
• April – Monarch International’s Di Caprio RV
• May – Twist Studio LLC’s ZG Bella
• June – Oakland Ventures LLC’s Fortunate Son

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame was organized to promote the sport of show jumping and to immortalize the legends of the men, women and horses who have made great contributions to the sport. The Show Jumping Hall of Fame is located at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Plaques honoring those who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame can be seen at the Horse Park’s Rolex Stadium. Mementos and artifacts from the sport’s history are on display as part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame collection at the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Wheeler Museum at the Horse Park.

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame is sponsored by Blenheim EquiSports, Charles Ancona, CMJ Sporthorse, Hampton Classic Horse Show, Kentucky Horse Park, LAURACEA, LEG Colorado Horse Shows, Markel, Palm Beach International Academy, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA), Washington International Horse Show and Wellington International.

Blenheim EquiSports is an equestrian event management company based in San Juan Capistrano, CA, producing horse shows in San Juan Capistrano, CA and Las Vegas, NV. These competitions include USEF “Premier” rated hunter-jumper shows; Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ USA; a Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League Qualifier; USHJA International, National, & Pony Hunter Derbies & Finals; the Whitethorne Equitation Challenge, Medal Finals, and so much more.

Charles Ancona jackets are made in the USA using the finest Italian stretch fabrics to provide both stylish looks and high-performance functionality. Machine washable, water repellent, and lightweight to help keep you cool on the hottest days, each jacket features a fully customizable design and is made to order in New York City’s garment district – no two jackets are alike! Charles Ancona is the Official U.S. Team Supplier through USEF. Charles Ancona Show Jackets were worn in the Tokyo Olympics and will be for all U.S. teams through the 2024 Paris Olympics. Charles Ancona takes pride in designing and manufacturing the highest quality products for their customers, including top riders such as Show Jumping Hall of Fame inductee Margie Engle, five-time Olympic veteran McLain Ward, Aaron Vale, Beat Mandli, Brian Moggre, Brianne Goutal-Marteau, Laura Chapot, Sydney Schulman, and John French.

The Hampton Classic is the prestigious culminating event of the Hamptons’ famed summer season. Top jumper and hunter riders from around the world compete for some of the richest prize money in the nation. The Classic hosts more than 100 classes of competition in six rings for horses and riders of all ages and abilities. The Classic also features a Boutique Garden with more than 70 vendors, a wide selection of dining options and a Farmer’s Market, all on its 60-acre show grounds.

The Kentucky Horse Park is the leading tourist attraction for all things “horse” and one of the world’s best equine competition facilities and only park open to the public. The Kentucky Horse Park hosts a handful of events each year such as the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, Kentucky Summer Horse Show and BreyerFest.

LAURACEA is a collection of finely crafted leather goods inspired by the true equestrian lifestyle. Designed for equestrians with quality, function, and sophistication in mind, LAURACEA is the brainchild of founder Tamara Makris, designer, entrepreneur, and mother of two equestrians.

Offering 12 weeks of top-notch competition each year, the LEG Colorado Horse Shows are a staple at the Colorado Horse Park. They strive to provide an excellent showing environment with divisions for all levels and host multiple regional events including EAP Regional Training Sessions, USHJA Zone 7/8 Jumper Team Championships and ASPCA Maclay Region 6 Finals. The LEG Colorado Horse Shows also offer a $20,000 LEGIS Rider Bonus Series for the highest-performing hunter and jumper riders throughout each season, and their popular Trainer Incentive Program has awarded vacations to the series’ top trainers for over 17 years.

Backed by a team of equestrian and insurance experts, Markel is the insurance company with horse sense. At the shows and in the barns, Markel serves its clients with the highest standards. Markel has a team of insurance specialists across the country who know the product inside and out. Visit Horse Specialist | Markel Specialist (markelinsurance.com) and find the Markel Insurance Specialist that’s right for your horse, farm and liability needs.

Palm Beach International Academy is the premier academic provider for all equestrian athletes and their families throughout the U.S. and abroad, allowing students to maintain their academic excellence while pursuing their sport. PBIA's systems, procedures and programs have become the norm for K-12 students and their families, ensuring that they do not have to choose between riding and school. Students work full-time or seasonally, one-on-one or in small groups, at PBIA's Wellington school, at the many shows and events we sponsor, and from anywhere in the world via real-time video conferencing. Programs fit each person's learning styles, interests, and levels while fostering curiosity, instilling knowledge, and promoting cultural awareness. University at PBIA allows college students the opportunity to earn credits and undergraduate degrees enabling them to continue their education while training and showing. PBIA: Achieving Excellence, Encouraging Dreams, and Changing the World! 

Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital began as an ambulatory practice in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1982 and established a full-service equine hospital in 1986. Today the practice is known and respected worldwide for innovative and highly skilled treatment of horses. Rood & Riddle continues their tradition of excellence into the twenty-first century serving as a referral center for horses requiring specialized medical and surgical care and providing ambulatory care for all breeds and disciplines. With the original hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, and locations in Saratoga Springs, New York, and Wellington, Florida, Rood & Riddle maintains an unwavering commitment to quality, both in the care of horses and in our relationships with clients and the community.

The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA), as the official hunter/jumper affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation, is a competition-based sport organization that serves our members through educational programs, awards and recognition, communication and rules. They provide a wide array of programs for all hunter/jumper levels and are mindful of the well-being of our equine partners. Additional information is available at www.ushja.org.

Founded in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show presented by MARS Equestrian™ is one of the most prestigious, competitive and exciting equestrian sporting events in North America. Held annually in October, WIHS brings together the finest and most talented horses and riders from across the country and around the world for seven days of top jumper, hunter and equitation competition, equestrian entertainment, and community and charity events.

Wellington International is the home of the internationally recognized Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in addition to 28 weeks of the Annual Series horse shows. WEF came to Wellington in 1974 and boasts more than 155 acres, 18 competition arenas, over 400 permanent equine stalls, horse trails, pedestrian paths, and golf cart tracks. This award-winning venue operates the largest and longest-running hunter/jumper horse show in the world while annually welcoming thousands of riders from all 50 states and more than 42 countries. In addition to equestrian sporting events, Wellington International offers VIP, hospitality, event spaces, world-class shopping and much more! With the support of their parent company, the Global Equestrian Group (GEG), Wellington International is focused on the future of equestrian sport to better serve exhibitors, stakeholders, and community.

For more information about the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, including the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series, please visit the Show Jumping Hall of Fame website at www.ShowJumpingHallofFame.net.