A trio of U.S. women led the victory gallop in the $32,000 CIS2* Grand Prix with Stella Wasserman at the front in her first international grand prix victory to close out two-star competition at Traverse City Horse Shows (TCHS) on Sunday. The 20-year-old piloted Myjorka to victory from an 8-horse jump-off designed by Guilherme Jorge’s (BRA).

Photo – Stella Wasserman & Myjorka are the winners of the $32,000 CSI2* Grand Prix. (© Megan Giese Media / TCHS)

In good company, Wasserman was followed by four-time U.S. Olympian Beezie Madden, who clocked in at 33.59 seconds behind Wasserman’s 32.38 time. Madden piloted Micky-Cara, owned by John Madden Sales. Lillie Keenan rounded out the podium in 33.98 seconds riding 8-year-old Emerlon, for owner Chansonette Farm.

“This is really special,” said Wasserman after the prize giving. “I feel like I’ve been close a couple of times now and today it all worked out.

Plan is Working

Stella Wasserman & Myjorka are joined by Equifit Winning Groom Lee McKeever as winners of the $32,000 CSI2* Grand Prix. (Photo: © Megan Giese Media / TCHS)

“This is an amazing horse,” she continued of her 10-year-old Hanoverian (Mylord Carthago HN x Quidam’s Rubin), a mare she rides under the direction of five-time U.S. Olympian McLain Ward. “She’s game to do anything you ask and my plan worked out.”

The partnership between Wasserman and Myjorka came together at the start of the year. “McLain called one day and [said] he had a really special horse that just came in and I [that] should sit on her. It was like love at first sight. It was not as smooth sailing as some other partnerships, but once we figured each other out, it was great from there.”

Foot Speed

When asked about her plan for the competition jump-off, she noted, “I actually changed my plan a bit; the first line was five or six. My horse doesn’t have the biggest stride in the world, so we were planning on doing six, but I met the first turn so well. She was so with me that I saw it. Then, the eight worked out well to number two. From there, her foot speed is so quick that I could really challenge her. I knew everywhere I could give it a shot and trust her.”

Wasserman will next point Myjorka at five-star competition during the coveted American Gold Cup at Flintfields Horse Park.

For complete results from the $32,000 CIS2* Grand Prix, click here.