Steege and Lafitte de Muze Double Up Victory
As the only combination to score above 90 in both rounds (91 and 92.33), Lafitte de Muze, a 14-year-old BWP gelding by Darco, and Amanda Steege garnered the top score of 183.33 for victory. Following with a total of 181.24 after scoring 89.83 and 91.41, John French and Babylon, owned by Walkenbach Equestrian LLC, just missed winning their fourth Pro Challenge. Nick Haness and Circa, owned by Wade Equestrian Farms LLC, scored 89.16 and 91.33 for 180.49 total and third place.
Lafitte de Muze showing his usual incredible form to win the $50,000 WCHR Professional Challenge with Amanda Steege. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
Steege and “Lafitte” graced the winner’s circle for the third time (they first won in 2018) and the second year in a row, which helped them qualify for the WCHR Hunter Spectacular this winter in Florida as well as gave Steege a place in Friday night’s WCHR Professional Finals.
“It's always such a thrill to win this class,” confirmed Steege, “but it was extra special to win it back to back on Lafitte. It's one of the classes that we all plan for all year long, and with the quality of the horses that end up in this class and the crowd and the atmosphere here at Capital Challenge, I feel like the horses and the riders really rise to the challenge.”
For this year’s class, Steege felt her horse exhibited quality more than usual coming back for the second round at night. “He was really quite spectacular for all the jumps,” she said. “He was very good this afternoon, but I think he knows when it's a night class and he rises to the occasion. The two single oxers and the triple combination were probably my favorite of his jumps in the second round.”
Lafitte de Muze and Amanda Steege in their winning presentation. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
Steege attributes Lafitte’s consistency to his heart, desire, managing his schedule, conformation — “He’s built to last.” — and of course the team behind Lafitte, including groom and Steege’s boyfriend Tim Delovich, owner Cheryl Olsten, and all of the people who keep Lafitte fit and happy.