2007 Dressage at Devon Presented by WTDirect

Wildcard SCF is Top American Bred at 2007 Dressage at Devon Breed Competition
By Lynndee Kemmet for Dressagedaily.com

Wildcard SCF, bred and owned by Sporting Chance Farm, earned the right to be called the Born in the U.S.A. Champion at the 2007 Dressage at Devon breed competition. The four-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Goodtimes and out of Marie Louise Elite Preferent took the win with a score of 85.00.

Wildcard was one of many fabulous looking horses born in America and showing at Devon this year. And those horses reminded breeders and spectators alike that not every quality horse comes from Europe. Sporting Chance Farm owners Karin and Carlos Jimenez, based near Devon in Coatesville , Pennsylvania , couldn’t be happier with their Devon victory.

Karin Jimenez said the couple has competed at Devon every year for the past 16 years. “But we’ve never gone all the way. We’ve been the winner of lots of classes, were reserve champion of Born in the U.S.A. a few years ago, but never went all the way to the top.” Jimenez said that what made this year an exception is that Wildcard “is just an amazing mare.” Success for the breeding farm has also come from a collaborative team, she said. “My husband keeps everyone healthy and happy. We have a good trainer and I’m the media person and website designer.”

The team trainer is Angela Sasso, whom Jimenez praises for “being so amazing with young horses.” But credit for this year’s championship win also goes to the winner – Wildcard herself, Jimenez said. “We finally have a horse that is the whole package and that’s what is really neat – great mind, great mover.” Wildcard has been started under saddle by Sasso. Hence, her future will include not only being a performance horse, but also to continue as a breeding mare. She’s already got one super foal on the ground – Carte Blanche, who joined his mother in the show ring.

Jimenez sends her thanks to all the sponsors of the Born in the U.S.A. program “because breeding can be a thankless task and this makes it all worth it.” Looking at Wildcard, Jimenez most surely feels all her family’s work as breeders paid off. “This horse has potential,” she said of the mare. “She’s great for a professional but has such a great mind and temperament that anybody can ride her. That kind of combination is so rare. A lot of time the fancy gaited horses are hot and need professionals to ride. Wildcard is actually quiet enough for anybody but has that presence that makes her extra special.”