Kevn Babington victorous in Virginia

Kevin Babington and Mark Q.
By ESI Photography

With new footing in the arena and beautiful weather, the setting for the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix (10 July 2011) at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia, was well suited to highlight the Showday National.

Ireland's Kevin Babington, who is based in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania, could not have asked for much more as he captured the first place honors aboard his own Mark Q.

Four riders went clear over Jerry Dougherty's course, including standout junior and Grand Prix newcomer Hasbrouck Donovan from Florida. She was third to go in round one, posting her clear round early on her own Delilah. Kevin followed four horses later and earned the second clear round of the class to secure a jump-off.

"I thought it was a great class," said Kevin. "It had a nice turnout and the new footing was fantastic. We had some rain earlier in the week that gave it a good test and it passed with flying colors."

Youngster first out
Hasbrouck was first to return for the jump-off and although she had no jumping faults, she was five seconds over the time allowed.

"This was my fifth Grand Prix ever so I was very excited to go clear," she said. "I brought this horse up from the low junior jumpers and it's been really rewarding to watch her develop into a successful Grand Prix horse.".

She ultimately finished third in the Grand Prix as well as sixth in the $10,000 junior/amateur owner-jumper high classic aboard Michael Kirby's KT Champ earlier in the afternoon. While she won't be ready to compete in the Pfizer Million this year, she is one of the talented junior riders who is currently near the top of the qualified list for the Diamond Mills $500,000 hunter prix final and plans to attend.

Sole double clear
Kevin returned second in the jump-off and posted what would eventually be the only double clear round of the class in 40.73 seconds, which set the Great American Time to Beat.

Matt Williams followed wth Samantha Tuerk's Watch Me van de Mangelaar and had a rail down at the A element of a double combination, to settle into second place with four jumping faults.

Harold Chopping and Corland.
By ESI Photography

Last to go was the winner of Friday's $15,000 Brook Ledge open jumper prix, Harold Chopping this time aboard WTBJ, LLC's Candeloro rather than previous winner Corland. He had eight faults in 43.89 seconds, for fourth place. It was this class's winning combination who had finished second to him two days earlier.

Aiming for a million
Kevin, like many others, had circled the Pfizer Million on his calendar this year.

"The Pfizer Million is one of my main goals this year since it's such a great opportunity to jump for that much prize money," he said. "This is a new horse that I didn't realize would be such a strong contender for the Million but I think we'll be ready."

Kevin plans to return to HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties to help cement his spot in the Pfizer Million lineup.

"I will be in Saugerties for three weeks and will hopefully get six qualifiers in then," he said. "This was my third one so I should be in good shape after Saugerties."