Ellie Beard wins North American Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic

Credit: Shawn McMillen Photography

Ellie Beard wins North American Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic


Junior and Amateur-Owners Jumpers took their turn in the spotlight in the evening hours of Saturday for their classics. Winning the $10,000 North American 1.20m – 1.25m Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic was Ellie Beard of Franklin, MI, riding her own Ad F16.

Beard and Ad F16 prevailed in an 11-horse jump-off from the original field of 31 that navigated the Joe Carnicom-designed course. “It was a little nerve-wracking because it was my first night class, but my horse was great,” Beard said. “There were a lot of fast riders in the jump-off, so I knew I had to take a shot and be quick. Everything just kind of fell into place. This class was a good start to the indoor season.”

Beard, 16, has ridden Ad F16, a 14-year-old Danish Warmblood, for a year and a half. “He wants to win just as badly as I do,” she said. “He’s really quick on the ground and very careful, so I can turn a little over the jumps.”

While Beard lives in Michigan, she rides with Ken and Emily Smith at their Ashland Farms in Wellington, FL. She spends as much time as she can with them during the summer, and flies to Florida on the weekends to show at the Winter Equestrian Festival during the winter. “It’s a lot, but it’s worth it,” she said.

Beard, who also placed second in the $2,000 Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Welcome on Thursday, accepted the Best Low Junior Jumper Award, sponsored by Whish, LLC.

She got to celebrate her win with her friend, Lily Walton, 20, who also rides with the Smiths at Ashland Farms and was awarded the Best Low Amateur-Owner Jumper Award, sponsored by South Haven Farm. Walton is from Shelbyville, KY, and attends the University of Miami.

Walton has owned Etou, an eight-year-old warmblood gelding, for just a few months. “I sat on him the first time and knew he was the one for me,” she said. “There’s nothing that scares him. We both give each other a lot of confidence.”

Beard topped the class over Graciela Robert on Casanova B and and Lauren McCaulley on Tenacious D.