March 11, 2024 
There are few things more rewarding in show jumping than the feeling that comes from topping the podium of a big startlist in a big money jump-off class.
Except, maybe, when you realize you’re riding for so much more than another colored ribbon on the wall—as you are when you compete in the MeadowGrove & Friends 1.20m Open Classic at Desert International Horse Park (DIHP).
As an important annual fundraiser for #WeRideTogether and their mission to create healthy, positive environments for young athletes in the sport of equestrian and beyond, this year’s class saw more than 74 entries, and the competition was tighter than ever before. The top three finishers, in fact, were separated by only a few 10ths of a second.
At the end of the day, however, Canadian rider Jacqueline Chawke came away with the victory aboard the Irish Sport Horse mare Wrenwood Polly Pocket. Chawke’s jump-off time of 39.156 seconds just pipped Megan Holliday (USA) & Revelation on 39.3 seconds. Last year’s one-two finisher Skyler Wireman (USA) was once again in the mix, taking third on Flipper Lady (39.705 seconds).
“[Polly Pocket] is very, very special. She’s super competitive, fast, and careful, and has a really big heart,” Chawke said after her win, adding that the mare was actually a wedding present from her trainer/husband James Chawke.
“I rode her in Ireland a little bit as a 6-year-old, and then when I found out I was pregnant, I came back, we took a few embryos from [Polly Pocket], and imported her later that year. So, I’ve really only had a year-long partnership with her.
“It’s really important and special for MeadowGrove to step forward [and support] this class for everyone,” Chawke continued, noting that now as a mother, herself, the importance of leadership and creating healthy sporting environments has taken on new meaning for her.
“I think that it’s a really important class to help everyone be more aware of all aspects of our sport and industry, and to help everyone come together [to create] a safer environment.”
As the class runner-up, Megan Holliday was also excited to be riding for a good cause.
“I saw that it was for charity and thought I’d love to be a part of something like that!” she said.
Holliday, who trains with Michael Dennehy at Bridlewood Farms in Park, Colorado, just wrapped her last week at DIHP for the season, and decided to leave everything on the table with her 13-year-old Dutch warmblood gelding.
“Revelation—we call him ‘Gogo’ back in the barn—I’ve had him for two years. He’s absolutely my horse of a lifetime,” Holliday said.
“He is just so in love with his job. Every time I’m like ‘let’s go,’ he goes!”
As the longtime ‘home’ horse show of the Kehring family, #WeRideTogether President Carrie Kehring said she couldn’t be more grateful to DIHP, MeadowGrove & Friends, and all of the sponsors for their help in continuing to support this special cause.
“What was so exciting this year was that new and returning sponsors and donors were reaching out to us, unprompted, to participate,” Kehring said. “I think that speaks volumes about the support behind our mission, how well we’re achieving our goals, and how receptive people are to our message.”
#WeRideTogether was founded in 2021 as an awareness campaign and educational website designed to empower, inform and unite the equestrian community around sexual misconduct prevention. The organization has since grown into a 501c3 and is creating a blueprint to help make all sports safer for youth, amateur, and professional athletes.
Want to show your support for #WeRideTogether? It’s not too late! Tax-deductible donations can still be made at weridetogether.today/donate.
MeadowGrove & Friends Classic was made possible by the support of MeadowGrove, Hunterbrook, Mark Kinsella Equestrian, Sandhaven Farm, Alora Sporthorses, Balmoral, Jenn Serek, Sunnybrook, Trademark Stables & Friends, Chestnut Hill & the Wiremans, Brookway Stables, Ingenium Farm, Estancia Farms, Thunderbird Showpark, Parkside Stables, and Imagination Lane. Prize donations were courtesy of Equestrian Stockholm, Schulz, Infused Equestrian, Solea Equestrian, Equ Lifestyle Boutique, Show MD, Performance Massage Therapy and Ice Horse.
