Chesler Flies into Third Place at St. Louis Horse Show

Frankie Chesler & VDL Nuit de Pomme

As Charles A. Lindbergh made the first non-stop solo transatlantic flight in the Spirit of St. Louis early on May 20th 1927, Frankie Chesler of Orangeville, Ontario 'flew' her seven year old VDL Nuit de Pomme (Jus de Pomme x Dorina) late Saturday night into a strong third place finish among the top best in the MASCUP series. Lucky Lindy made his flight in 33 and a half hours but Lucky Frankie made her jump off time in only 38.61. With 34 starters, only five went clear in this tough and technical first round built by Anthony D'Ambrosio of Mt. Kisko, New York.

Chesler was very pleased with her young horse's performance, "VDL Nuit de Pomme was so amazing. We went second in the jump off and tried to give herself an edge over the competition did an inside roll back turn to the 4' 11" vertical. He curled over it with ease, almost like a snake. It was such a great feeling. I think we can expect great things from him in the next few years!" Chesler would have had a faster jump off time if not for misjudging a drift at the ingate oxer resulting in hitting the standard and causing a near mid-air stop. However, they quickly continued finishing in third position. "I am so pleased to have the honour to ride this amazing horse, you can tell that he has his father's blood in him, Olympic Gold Medalist Jus de Pomme, said Chesler."

The course was very demanding, with three four foot eleven fences scattered throughout. Two particularly tough spots were the triple combination a 4' 11" vertical in, 4' 10" vertical middle, finishing with a 4' 9" oxer out and a very technical line near the end of the course giving many riders a run for their money, a 4' 11" airy vertical past the ingate. The only double clear was Larry Hollahan with his mount Sky King with another Canadian, Karen Cudmore on Leona taking her share of the pie with a fourth place finish. This was a very exciting class leading up to the $30,000 MASCUP Finally next Saturday here at America's Exposition Park in Wentzville Missouri.

MASCUP's founder and president Russ Walther structured MASCUP after the NASCAR racing association series, which competes at selected venues and offers a year-end bonus to their top drivers, as does MASCUP. This year there were over 100 Grand Prixs in the season with over $2,000,000 in prize money to be won. December 15th is the season's Finale designed by well known course designer Buddy Brown and Mr. Walther is excited about the turnout thus far and the projected near 50 horses who will be attending the Finale.

Results

Larry Hollahan Sky King 37.45 0
Tracy Fenney Naboo 36.59 4
Frankie Chesler VDL Nuit de Pomme 38.61 4
Karen Cudmore Leona 50.24 7
Kelly Mullins GT 40 43.08 8