Sarah Lessler
The ASPCA Maclay Final is one of the most cherished and prestigious classes in equestrian sport. Each year, junior riders (under the age 18) compete throughout the country in hopes of qualifying for this pinnacle competition. Since its inception in 1933, the event showcases future industry champions. Winners have included top riders such as George Morris, Leslie Burr Howard, Jessica Springsteen, Stacia Madden, and Lillie Keenan.
The timeless jump design in Maclay courses impresses exhibitors and spectators every year. The jump course typically includes classic and historical-style jumps with stunningly manicured hedges, brick walls, hogsback peaks, and roll tops. Renowned course designer Bobby Murphy announced in 2021 that he expected to retire many jumps previously used in Maclay Final competitions, and he would work with others to design new fences.
This news opened an exceptional opportunity for Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) students to be apart be part of the jump design process. Bobby Murphy invited SCAD Equestrian Studies students to submit jump designs in a competition where selected concepts could become a part of the course.
Ahna Phelps Photo by: SCAD Savannah McCants Photo by: Raine Roth Photography Madison Aguilar Photo by: Maddy Falkowitz
Ahna Phelps, associate chair and professor of equine studies, teaches an upper-level class for seniors called Competition Design. Students learn horse show management and course design including striding, measuring, and jump placement. She reached out to Bobby Murphy about him being a guest speaker for the class. However, this conversation led to much more. Much to Ahna’s surprise and pleasure, Bobby proposed having a contest where students could submit a design for the Maclay, and he would build the winning design. “It was his idea!” Ahna exclaimed.
Savannah McCants, a 2022 SCAD Equine Studies graduate, whose jump design was a competition finalist, said that Bobby was her favorite guest speaker during the class. He provided students with a digital booklet of course design information filled with intricacies from horse’s vision and how they see jumps to sneak peeks of incredible jump designs he was working on. Savannah explained that Bobby taught them that you could “find inspiration anywhere and from anything” and encouraged them to explore their environments in thinking about jump designs. Savannah walked around the barn, the city, and the SCAD buildings and created sketches of anything that caught her eye.
Using the templates provided, she created a rendering of her designs to submit to Bobby. The stairs at Magnolia Hall, a historic building on Whitaker Street, which borders the city of Savannah’s iconic Forsyth Park, inspired one of her designs. Magnolia Hall is a three-story SCAD guest house for university visitors built in 1878. Savannah said she pictured how to construct a jump using blocks to create the look of the steps. She knew the design could be safe, lightweight, and not hurt a horse but be sturdy enough to withstand a horse clipping it.
Savannah has always loved art and being creative. She thanks her dad, SCAD alumni, and architect, for her creative side. Even in the Equestrian Studies major, SCAD incorporates art class requirements into its foundational curriculum. This practice helped Savannah be able to submit a worthy jump design.
Madison Aguilar, whose jump design won the competition, says her inspiration came from an Hermès sign at the Orlando Mall. She wanted to create a clean and simple design and thought, “What better way to showcase the class than by putting the name in place of Hermès.” Madison also expressed her appreciation for being part of the unique competition. “I never got to ride at the Maclay finals as a junior, but I did watch it almost every year,” Madison said.
“I was always amazed at the construction of the jumps and how grand they were. Being able to be a part of the final this way was just as special to me. Seeing my jump in the ring that day gave me goosebumps. It felt so surreal to know that I designed a jump that is being used at the most prestigious equitation final. That feeling was before I knew he was going to choose my design as his favorite. When he did, I cried. I was never super creative before coming to SCAD, so Bobby picking my jump was a feeling like no other. I am honored beyond words, and I can’t thank my professor, Ahna Phelps, and Bobby Murphy enough for this opportunity. It’s an experience and feeling I will cherish forever.”
Ahna teaches that riding is an art form. “It was a unique experience to see students take everything they have learned from their foundation studies and art classes and tap into their creativity within the equestrian world,” she said. She encourages students to think outside the box within the equestrian industry when thinking about professions. “There are so many more peripheral roles within the industry than just teacher, rider, trainer.”
Post graduation, Savannah landed a training job at Moss Creek Equestrian, a barn in Bluffton, South Carolina. She remarks, “SCAD has opened up ideas for different paths I can take in the future.” Beaming with pride, she said, “I can be incredibly confident in what I am teaching my students. My classes at SCAD elevated my teaching abilities.” The National Horse Show Association sent the design finalists prize bags, and Savannah says she now hangs her National Horse Show Reserve Champion ribbon in her living room.
Ahna’s Competition Design class is taught on alternating years with Sport Horse Judging. Ahna hopes to continue this tradition for future years of students.
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