Tom Foley and Carel Van Donderen win the $10,000 1.25 Meter Classic at the Great Southwest Texas Winter Series

Tom Foley and Carel Van Donderen. Photo by Jerry Mohme Photography.

Katy, Texas – February 21, 2020

The jumper divisions wrapped up today with many championships awarded and a big payday for Tom Foley, winner of the $10,000 1.25 meter classic on Carel Van Donerden, owned by Andrew Kocher. 

Foley, a native of Ireland, has been showing in Texas since November with great success. Carel Van Donderen was imported six months ago, and has only been with Foley for two weeks. “He’s a really nice horse and while he’s not yet ready for the Grand Prix here, he did do some 2* Grand Prix classes in Europe before we got him.” 

Tom Foley and Carel Van Donderen in the presentation. Photo by Jerry Mohme Photography.

Foley will be showing three of his other horses in tonight’s  $100,000 Great Southwest Grand Prix. Check tomorrow’s Plaid Horse for coverage of that class.

A Sparrow Flies ridden by Celine Myers. Photo by Jerry Mohme Photography.

A Sparrow Flies, owned by Abigail Driscoll and ridden by Celine Myers brought home the tri color in the 1.0 meter jumpers. 

Graceland’s Lilliput. Photo by Jerry Mohme Photography.

Graceland’s Lilliput owned by Peggy Moore was champion 1.05 meter jumper. 

Mr. DJ ridden by Alwaleed Alrashid. Photo by Jerry Mohme Photography.

The 1.15 meter champion was Mr. DJ ridden by Alwaleed Alrashid and owned by Royal Sport horses.

Darby Pease and Cumbaya W. Photo by Jerry Mohme Photography.

Darby Pease and Cumbaya W were Champion in the 1.20 Meter jumper division. Augustin Walch is the owner.

Ghianti ridden by Whitney Labrie. Photo by Jerry Mohme Photography.

The champion in the 1.25 meter jumpers was Ghianti, owned by DS Holdings, LLC and ridden by Whitney Labrie.

Lucid ridden Karianna Knezevich. Photo by Jerry Mohme Photography.

Lucid ridden Karianna Knezevich and owned by Rachel Head was champion in the 1.30 meter jumpers.

Coleen Acosta and Himini. Photo by Jerry Mohme Photography.

Coleen Acosta and Himini, owned by Evalyn Grace, LLC. Were awarded the championship in the 1.35 meter division.

Cassandra ridden by Trapp O’Neal. Photo by Jerry Mohme Photography.

Cassandra ridden by Trapp O’Neal was the champion in the 1.40 division for owner Luccirelli International, LLC.


Stay in the loop of this year’s Texas Winter Series and Pin Oak Charity Horse Show with The Plaid Horse and by following #txwinterseries2020 on social media.

The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show runs from March 18-April 4, 2020. The prize list is available here

Get to know top Texas competitors with the Faces of Pin Oak series, including the 2019 Faces of Pin Oak riders:

Daniel Bedoya

Frankie Owens

Natalee Newton Haggan

Stay tuned for profiles on the 2020 Faces of Pin Oak riders, Peter Petschenig, Bella Kay, Daisy Ford, and Story Sinex.

The Texas Winter Series would like to thank our sponsors:

American National | Antares Sellier France | Augusta Pines Farm | Avalon Advisors | BBVA | Bernstein Private Wealth Management | BluVida Precision Health & Wellness | BNY Mellon Wealth Management  | Brazos Valley Equine Hospitals | Courtyard Marriott | De Cillo Equine Clinic | Equine Express NA | Fairway Farm | Finish Line Horse Products | H & H Event First Aid Services | Hampton Inn & Suites | Heather Ridge Farms | Homeland Title Co. | Jerry Mohme Photography | JK Videography | Karinda K. Equine Photography | Memorial Park Hunters | Moonfyre Photography | Oakside Stables | Oakwell Farms | Olde Oaks Farm | Olva Stewart Pharo | Pine Hollow Farm | Pyranha | Rendezvous Farm | Residence Inn Marriott | Sherwood Sport Horses | SHF Enterprises, Inc. | Sidelines | Texas Western Hospitality | TKO Sporthorses | Wheless Properties