No Worries for Nicole Shahinian-Simpson and Akuna Mattata with $50,000 Jet Run Devon Welcome Stake CSI4* Victory

Devon, Pa. – May 28, 2019 – The Dixon Oval welcomed its first international show jumping competition at the 2019 Devon Horse Show and Country Fair on Tuesday evening with the $50,000 Jet Run Devon Welcome Stake CSI4*, sponsored 5R Farms LLC – Helen Rich. After making their Devon debut in 2018 with multiple top placings, the United States’ Nicole Shahinian-Simpson and Silver Raven Farms’ Akuna Mattata returned to Devon, Pennsylvania, all the way from California, to take home their first win together and the Sylvester L. Quigley Memorial Challenge Trophy at the iconic venue, besting 25 other horses and athletes.

Nicole Shahinian-Simpson and Akuna Mattata (Photo: The Book LLC)
Nicole Shahinian-Simpson and Akuna Mattata (Photo: The Book LLC)

Seven combinations returned to compete over Brazil’s Guilherme Jorge’s shortened track. Of the seven, only two were able to produce double-clear efforts.

The early double-clear pathfinder was 25-year-old Catherine Tyree (USA) and Mary Tyree’s Bokai as second in the jump-off order-of-go. The pair successfully completed all of the obstacles and stopped the clock in 38.16 seconds to move to the top spot on the leaderboard.

Catherine Tyree and Bokai (Photo: The Book LLC)
Catherine Tyree and Bokai (Photo: The Book LLC)

Shahinian-Simpson, who has been competing at the Devon Horse Show since 1985 and had great success in the Dixon Oval as a junior, was fifth to tackle the jump-off with the fiery 11-year-old Holsteiner mare. They expertly navigated the short course with ease and crossed the finish line just one second faster in 37.74 seconds, which ultimately secured them the win as the remaining two competitors incurred faults. As a result, Tyree settled for second place, while Lillie Keenan (USA) and Chansonette Farm LLC’s Fasther rounded out the top three as the fastest of the 4-faulters in 36.34 seconds.

In 2018, the pair finished fourth in the $50,000 Jet Run Devon Welcome Stake CSI4* and later claimed runner-up honors in the $70,000 Idle Dice Open Jumper Stake CSI4*. This year, they are already off to a strong start in the popular Open Jumper division and look to continue their streak throughout the rest of the week.

Nicole Shahinian-Simpson and Akuna Mattata
Nicole Shahinian-Simpson and Akuna Mattata

Shahinian-Simpson has formed a strong partnership with Akuna Mattata since the mare was famously born as a triplet via embryo transfer in 2008 out of SRF Dragonfly. Fondly known as “Nahla” in the barn, she quickly realized the mare’s potential bringing her up through the ranks and now the pair are competing at the CSI5* level and representing the USA on Nations Cup teams, including during the CSIO5* Coapexpan in Mexico earlier this month, where the NetJets® U.S. Show Jumping Team took home the silver medal.

FEI competition will resume on Wednesday in the Dixon Oval with the $36,000 Devon International Speed Stake CSI4*, sponsored by Herr’s Food, at 7 p.m., while the week’s main event, the $250,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon CSI4*, will be held on Thursday at 8:30 p.m.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

Nicole Shahinian-Simpson (USA) – $50,000 Jet Run Devon Welcome Stake CSI4*, sponsored 5R Farms LLC – Helen Rich, winner

On returning to the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair:
“I’ve always loved it here. It’s just a great atmosphere and a great ring to ride in. My first year here was in 1985 and I have been Best Child Rider here on ponies and horses. Last year was [Akuna Mattata’s] first year here and it was her first big season on the international circuit. She got a ribbon in every class so it was fun to come back. She thrives on the energy here.”

On the rain delay prior to the start of the class:
“I knew the show wouldn’t run it if it wasn’t OK. I knew if they ran it, it would be fine. The footing was fantastic!”

On Akuna Mattata:
“She’s very animated, she’s not a kicker or anything luckily, but she is difficult to contain. She was eager to compete tonight. She loves to go fast. Even in the first round with the time being tight, I thought, ‘Just ride it like a speed class.’ That’s sort of her gear. I’ve started using her stride to do the leave-outs and it’s all just sort of come together. She responds great and her rideability doesn’t change.”

On Tuesday’s jump-off:
“No one had done the seven from one to two and I thought, ‘If I catch that vertical, I can get right in there.’ The hardest line actually was after the double, that six. We had all planned seven and then Lillie [Keenan] did the six and that was actually quite long. She’s really game and she turns well so it’s been fun to challenge her a little bit and see where we are. It felt great.”

On her plan after Devon:
“We’ll do Upperville next and hopefully some more Nations Cups — we’ll carry on. She’s been awesome and we just want to keep her happy and healthy. I want to keep exposing her to the scene and hopefully they use me where they want to use me.”

RESULTS

$50,000 Jet Run Devon Welcome Stake CSI4*, sponsored 5R Farms LLC – Helen Rich:
Place / Horse / Rider / Country / Owner / R1 Faults / R2 Faults / Time
1. Akuna Mattata / Nicole Shahinian-Simpson / USA / Silver Raven Farms / 0 / 0 / 37.74
2. Bokai / Catherine Tyree / USA / Mary Tyree / 0 / 0 / 38.16
3. Fasther / Lillie Keenan / USA / Chansonette Farm LLC / 0 / 4 / 36.34
4. Chippendale’s Boy DZ / Sloane Coles / USA / The Springledge Group / 0 / 4 / 37.79
5. Azilis Du Mesnil / Sydney Shulman / ISR / Jill Shulman / 0 / 8 / 41.74
6. Breitling LS / Beezie Madden / USA / Abigail Wexner / 0 / 8 / 43.60
7. Dsarie / Beat Mändli / SUI / Grant Road Partners GmbH / 0 / 10 / 50.39
8. Pembroke / Adrienne Sternlicht / USA / Starlight Farms 1 LLC / 1 / 70.23
9. Quality FZ / Rodrigo Pessoa / BRA / Artemis Equestrian Farm LLC / 1 / 70.39
10. Casall / Ali Wolff / USA / Blacklick Bend Farm / 4 / 66.42
11. Chandon Blue / Laura Chapot / USA / Mary Chapot / 4 / 66.97
12. Chance STE Hermelle / Michael Morrissey / USA / QBS Equestrian LLC / 4 / 69.61

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