Katy, Texas – Jacqueline Ruyle earned the biggest win of her career to date on Saturday, February 26, as she rode to victory in the $100,000 Galvin Agency Lone Star State Grand Prix at the Great Southwest Texas Winter Series in Katy, TX.
The win came amidst a banner week – and a banner year – for Ruyle and San Chano, her 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding. It was less than five months ago that Ruyle earned her first-ever grand prix victory, but this week she earned two, having already also won Thursday’s $25,000 ReRide Tack Grand Prix.
“It feels amazing!” said Ruyle, 28. “I’m so proud of San Chano. The [Pin Oak Charity Horse Show] here at Great Southwest last year was really my first time in a real grand prix. My career in this past year has just skyrocketed!”
On her way to the win, Ruyle and San Chano were one of five combinations to qualify to jump-off over the Oscar Soberon-designed short course. As the first to return, Ruyle and San Chano flew over the final fence and laid down an uncatchable clear time of 37.481 seconds.
The next pair in the ring, Wednesday’s $20,000 Welcome Stake winners, Taylor Land and her own Get Go, would come the closest to catching Ruyle’s time, stopping the clock in 38.100 seconds for second place. Rounding out the top three with a time of 38.509 seconds were Martien van der Hoeven and Morris Horta, owned by Luccirelli International LLC.
“I wanted to ride relaxed because as soon as I get revved up, I can’t slow [San Chano] down really,” said Ruyle. “I wanted to go out there and ride how I did on Thursday and put in a cautious but quick round.
“I saw a lot of people be really quick one to two but then that set them up poorly for three,” continued Ruyle. “They had to add an extra stride through that line, so I think one, two, three was really good for me. I was quick to two but still able to be on the right track to get that seven done to three. I feel like that helped me a lot. Everything worked out great. Then I just kicked and kicked and kicked to the last jump!”
Ruyle was quick to thank many people for the success that she has found in the last several months, including her husband, parents, farrier, vet, and trainer, Daniel Bedoya.
Ruyle began training with Bedoya only after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in mechanical engineering, and she credits him with much of her success. Each week in the lead-up to a show, Bedoya makes a trip to Seabrook, Texas, outside of Houston, where Ruyle and her mom keep and care for their 10 horses at home.
“Daniel has spent some late nights at my barn training me over and over on how to do jump-offs correctly, and I really appreciate that,” said Ruyle, who will return to the show ring next for the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, to be held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, March 23 – April 10, 2022.
For full results of Saturday’s $100,000 Galvin Agency Lone Star State Grand Prix, visit www.HorseShowsOnline.com.
Learn more about the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show here, and visit the Great Southwest Equestrian Center’s website here.
