NEWS

May 30, 2007 Press Release

Contact: EquestriSol
310-930-2744. info@equestrisol.com 

JOHN FRENCH GALLOPS TO DEVON GLORY

Devon, PA - Wednesday, May 30th, 2007 – Open week at the prestigious Devon Horse Show went well for the west coast as professional John French earned two tri-colors, one in the Green Conformation Hunters and the second in the Regular Working Hunter division.  Riding for Archie Cox, French won six blues and five reds in three divisions including flawlessly piloting Scout, Overseas and Andiamo to victory in the Green Conformation, 2nd Year Green and Regular Working Hunter stake classes (Regular Working Stake: 1st on Overseas, 2nd on Andiamo). Certainly a fitting triumph for Cox’s clients who each bought these horses from French.

So why is Devon different? In a large arena with solid courses set by Phillip DeVita, both horse and rider had to prove their ability. “At Devon the horses can really shine,” explained French.  “The Regular Working courses were a solid four feet, some were even bigger.  The lines were very forward, the oxers were wide, it was a good test of scope.  You could really gallop and show off your horse, one course had a big oxer with seven strides to an airy vertical with no ground line.  The horse had to be able to jump that vertical off a forward step in good form.”

Since moving to California from Maryland in the early 80’s French had not been back to Devon in 20 years.   He was impressed.   “These courses are set as they should be.  Somewhere we’ve lost what hunters are about – we ride in small rings with short lines.  We need to see more of this to encourage good horses and good riders.” 

The achievements didn’t end with a series of wins at one of the most prominent horse shows in the country, French was also awarded the honor of 2006 Rider of the Year by the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame at the Annual Awards dinner. Voted to the win by his peers, French earned recognition last fall when he won the competitive World Champion Hunter Rider Professional Challenge at the Capital Challenge.  He shared the success once again with Archie Cox whose client Lucy Davis’ horse Harmony was awarded the Junior Hunter of the Year at the annual National Hunter Hall of Fame dinner.  Yet another truly fitting victory, since French rode Harmony to qualify for the World Champion Challenge last fall.  Harmony and Davis were also Large Junior Hunter Champs at Devon this year.

An amazing array of successes for west coast trainers French and Cox.  For more information, see John French’s web site www.waldenbrookfarm.com and Archie Cox’s site www.brookwaystables.com

####

Return to all News Items