Hat Trick for John French and Babylon in $25,000 WCHR Professional Challenge

It was a three-peat victory for John French and Babylon, owned by Marnell Sport Horses, in the $25,000 World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Professional Challenge, sponsored by The Gochman Family, during the 30th anniversary of the Capital Challenge Horse Show. The class was the highlight of the schedule on Wednesday, October 4, at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Rounding out the evening’s competition, Halie Robinson of Santa Barbara, CA, and Leisure, owned by Stable Assets, triumphed in the $10,000 WCHR Developing Pro Challenge, sponsored by John R. Ingram Fund.

Earlier in the day, Nick Haness and On Call, owned by Brad Wolf, won the $25,000 KASK/Vogel Green Hunter 3’ and 3’3” North American Championship, sponsored by the Wheeler family.

John French and Babylon. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

Riders qualified for the $25,000 WCHR Professional Challenge by finishing in the top four in professional hunter classes at the show or ranking in the top 10 nationally. The class consisted of a first round for all 24 competitors and a second round for the top 12 horse-and-rider combinations.

Judging the class was three panels of two judges, such that each panel provided a score, and the average of those three marks yielded the rider’s overall total. Peg Seals and Chris Wynne made up the first panel, while Brian Lenehan and Eric Dirks sat on the second, and Mark Jungherr and Mary Eufemia represented the third.

Entering The Show Place Arena in the middle of the order, all eyes were on the 2021 and 2022 WCHR Professional Challenge winners, French and Babylon. After landing from the final oxer in front of the in gate, cheers erupted from the crowd.

“I was a little nervous in the warm-up area because he felt a little fresh today, but I knew when he went in there that it’s his job,” recalled French who has brought Babylon along since he was a four-year-old. “I don’t know if it’s because I started him from the beginning when he was really green, but he’s my kind of ride. I wake him up a little bit, but then try to be really soft with no pressure in front of the jump and let him use his head and neck. Because I’ve had him for so long and he is my kind of ride, once I’m on him and in the ring, I’m like, ‘We’ve got this.’”

With an average score of 93.33 in round one, French and the eight-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Crumbie went straight to the top of the leaderboard. Last to return in round two, silence filled the arena as spectators waited with palpable anticipation for each jumping effort. Once again, the duo did not disappoint, delivering an impressive 94.33 for a two-round total of 187.66.

“Tonight’s class went well,” stated French. “I think he was super relaxed. The course was very good for him. He’s kind of a ham at this show. He’s won it three times, and he’s only eight years old.”

John French and Babylon are joined in their winning presentation by Louise Serio, Gary Duffy, Whitney Allen, Ariana Marnell, Kim Davidson, Leonardo Vasualto, and Jennifer Hinman. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

It’s no secret that French and Babylon are a formidable pair, and their strong partnership was on full display from start to finish.

“It’s still nice to win, and he’s such a special horse,” expressed French who has now tallied six victories in this class. “We just have a special bond. He likes this horse show, which is nice because it’s a special show and all the best of the best are here.”

While most riders had campaigned their mounts in previous classes in the week, French had a different plan for Babylon.

“I just brought him in last night,” he shared. “I wanted him to be at the farm, be turned out - he didn’t need to be here. He has the Junior Hunter division to show in this weekend. You have to make them love their job and want to do it for you. That’s the thing about him. He loves his job and is the happiest horse. You’ll never see him pin his ears back; he just never does that.”

The win in itself was exciting but winning at Capital Challenge is even more significant for the Maryland native.

“Being from Maryland makes this even more special,” said French, who is now based in Wellington, FL. “Show Manager Oliver Kennedy and I grew up in Columbia, Maryland, at the barn cleaning stalls. It’s great seeing people from growing up here and also my family who all still live here.”

Though he was happy to celebrate the victory, it was a bittersweet moment for the decorated professional.

“He’s the kind of horse…we go on a lot of trails and if I’m having a bad day or whatever, I take him out on the trail and we have a lot of conversations,” explained French of his mount. “I’m a little emotional because he will be for sale at the end of this year, so I think this could be my last class with him. Knowing that, at least we went out on a good note.”