Toy Soldier Marches to NAL 1.25m Final Win

Out of 31 entries in the $10,000 NAL1.25m Junior/Amateur Final, six were clear to advance to the jump-off, but it came down to two rides that were clear over the jumps. Grace Lowe and Vogue TW put down the time to beat at 33.076 seconds with a quick, neat ride but following them was Eloise Eisner of New York, NY, riding Abigail Gordon’s Toy Soldier.

Eisner raced around with Toy Soldier, executing a phenomenal rollback to the final line to cross the timers in 32.100 seconds for victory. Eisner won the Best 1.20m/1.25m Junior Jumper Award sponsored by RPW Show Horses LLC. The fastest four-faulter in the jump-off was Scarlett Samuels riding Karissa HDH, who finished in 31.552 seconds for third place.

Toy Soldier is "game for anything" and won with Eloise Eisner. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

“I wanted to go into the first round giving him a very confident ride and making sure that he wasn't spooky or anything, and to set him up for the jump off,” explained Eisner of her plan for the class. “For the jump-off, my trainer told me to ride from the skinny almost like I was leaving out to the line. I had a good canter so I could spin back so neat to leave one out, and then I could have a good one going into that last line.”

Eisner has been riding Toy Soldier, known as “Buzz” in the barn, for almost two years and enjoys competing at Capital Challenge because it gives her a chance to compete indoors and gives Buzz an interesting new venue to experience.

“He's just amazing,” she said of the 14-year-old Rheinlander gelding by Black Jack 175 x Carabas. “He's always game for anything, whether it's leave-outs or turns, and he likes to go fast no matter what. He seems a little crazy at the ring, but at home, he's so nice, he loves treats, and he's so cuddly. He's completely the opposite of what people think.”

Speaking of her victory, Eisner added, “It feels amazing. I couldn't do this without my barn, my trainers, everyone at Back Country Farm, my parents, and of course, Buzz, just everyone that got me here to win this.”

Alyson Gurney, who rode Makana Tanhof, won the Best 1.20m/1.25m Amateur Jumper Award sponsored by Caves Farm.