Marylisa Leffler and Zaza Z Clinch Victory in $5,000 Welcome Open Jumper Stake at Lexington Spring Encore
Lexington, Va. – May 1, 2025 – A competitive field of riders took to the Dee Dee Arena Thursday morning to contest the $5,000 Welcome Open Jumper Stake during the Lexington Spring Encore, part of the 2025 Festival of Champions, presented by Attwood Equestrian, at the Virginia Horse Center. In the end, it was Marylisa Leffler and her veteran partner Zaza Z who emerged victorious, turning in a double-clear performance with a blazing jump-off time of 37.889 seconds.
The opening track set the tone with a bending line and several challenging combinations that required careful execution. The shortened jump-off course offered riders a variety of options for tidy inside turns to make up crucial time, and Leffler made the most of every opportunity with her experienced 15-year-old mount, owned by Rolling Acres.
“The in-and-outs were tight, and the lines were technical—especially the combination on the corner,” said Leffler after her win. “I did six strides to the in-and-out on both of mine because the five felt like I was going to be on top.”
Although the jump off presented handy opportunities for riders, Leffler credited much of her winning time to the mare’s natural pace. “I watched the one that was winning and knew if I could just keep the jumps up, I’d be okay,” she explained. “Zaza has her own speed—just a little more footspeed than the others. I wasn’t trying to go crazy, but when I looked up at the clock, we were ahead by four or five seconds.”
Tiffany Cambria and Perfect Match D, owned by Sarah Hellman, were the first pair to deliver a double-clear effort, stopping the clock in 43.944 seconds to secure the second-place ribbon with a smooth and consistent round. Rounding out the top three was Ragan Roberts and Queen Bee Z, who were also double clear, but with a slower time of 46.878 seconds.
Zaza Z has returned to form after a brief rest following her stellar performances last week at the Festival of Champions Lexington Spring Premiere. “She was a little spunky this morning, which is a good sign—means she’s feeling good going into the weekend,” Leffler shared. “She’s 15 now, and honestly, all the credit for her development goes to the people who had her before me. They told me exactly how to handle her, and I do just that. She’s the queen, and she knows it.”
Though a fierce competitor in the ring, Zaza Z is a barn favorite for her affectionate and calm nature. “She’s the most docile, sweet horse you’ll ever meet. She could walk herself to the stall—she’s just a ham,” said Leffler with a smile.
Returning to the Virginia Horse Center is always a highlight for the Rolling Acres team. “It’s great to be back,” said Leffler. “The rings are riding beautifully, everything runs smoothly, and the staff always works hard to put on a great show.”
The Lexington Spring Encore continues through May 4, with Saturday evening’s feature class set to be the $25,000 George P. Ohrstrom Grand Prix. The Festival of Champions, presented by Attwood Equestrian, runs through the spring at the Virginia Horse Center, showcasing top hunter and jumper talent from across the region.