Our success with Kismet 50 fuels our determination to bring the Classic Champions, Inc. methods of training & showing to the United States.

 

Kismet 50 was purchased by Hampton Farms LLC as a 5 year old who had done three local classes in Belgium. Her training and showing was assumed by Christophe Escande. This mare showed exceptional strength both physically and mentally from the moment we first saw her. We put her into the young jumper events in France, where she steadily evolved into a first class athlete. The first time on the field at Fontainbleau, a water cannon accidentally went off as she entered a turn to a fence. She did not lose her focus. Instead, it sharpened. She studied the distraction and turned normally to measure her approach to the next obstacle, keeping her rhythm constant and flying over the jump. Knowing she would develop a great deal more in the following competition year, we elected not to go to the 5 year old finals, but save that trial for her 6th year. 

 

The signature picture we have chosen for Classic Champions Inc shows Kismet 50 competing at the 6 year old final in Fontainbleau with Christophe Escande. As you can see, the water jump is significant! This is a real trial and a prestigious final; Kismet 50 finished in the top 50. As she was coming 7, we sold her to Meredith Michaels Beerbaum, ranked #1 in the world at the time. The pair went on to achieve sustained success at the highest level of show jumping all over Europe. The mare even had her own fan base!!! Kismet 50 continues to distinguish herself today in the United States ridden by Candice King. This mare is the perfect example of the effectiveness of a well-conceived, systematic classic approach to the training and showing of young jumpers. She is our poster child!!!