Ella Brophy 2017 Jonathan Kiser Memorial Scholar
by Katherine O. Rizzo It seems that the Brophy family of Fair Hill
has produced yet another young jump jockey who possess not only great riding skills, but also excellent horsemanship, sportsmanship, talent, and dedication to the sport of steeple- chase racing. T ese are the requirements for the Maryland Steeplechase Association’s Jonathan Kiser Memorial Scholarship, and in 2017 Ella Brophy became the second Brophy child to win this award. “I feel really honored to have been chosen,” said Ella. “It is nice to know that people in this sport think highly of my horse- manship and dedication.” Ella’s older brother John won in 2015. Like many junior jockeys, Ella grew up in
the saddle, riding ponies in the hunt fi eld with Cheshire and River Hills before beginning to race in 2010. Her fi rst race was in the Small Pony division at Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Fox- hounds Point to Point in March of 2010. She rode her own pinto pony Sugar Booger and was trained by her mom Laura Brophy. Laura taught herself to ride early in life and went on to teach others as well as train young horses. T at fi rst year, Ella and Sugar Booger ran fourth twice and fi fth once, and even though Ella never won a race that season, she was hooked. “I just seemed to grow into it. From pony
races at fi rst to the fi eld master chases this past year,” she said. Ella’s fi rst win came aboard Phoebe Fisher’s
black mare Frisky Business at Cheshire in 2011. Ella was still running in the small pony divisions in 2011 and 2012 before doing her fi rst Jr. Field Master’s Chase at the Maryland Junior Hunt Cup in April of 2012. She and Frisky Business fi nished last, but this did not discourage Ella at all. “I just really love the steeplechase community and all of the people involved. Being around all those supportive people makes me want to stay a part of the sport.” In 2013, Ella took over the
ride of Prince Caspian from her brother. Together, Ella and the medium chestnut pony won at Cheshire, Brandywine and Fair Hill. T e following two years, Ella primarily rode Modernly Mil- lie. T e large pony was fi rst raced by John, and Ella found success with her in 2014 and 2015, win- ning several Junior Field Master’s Chases, including the Large Pony division at the Maryland Junior Hunt Cup in 2015 and the 2014 Pennsylvania Hunt Cup Ju- nior Field Master’s Chase. Millie was sold to the Fenwick family and continues to win with Tommy Fenwick in the irons.
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Steeplechase racing is a family affair for the Brophys! From left to right: brother John Brophy, aunt Vicki King, mom Laura Brophy, step-father Brooke Boyer and Kiser Scholar Ella Brophy.
After taking a break from racing in 2016 due to a concussion right before the season began, Ella was fi nished with ponies and ready to take on the junior horse races. Enter the T orough- bred Squeaky Ceci. T e 2008 mare by Lycius, out of the Deputed
Testamony mare, Nutn But the Truth, had not much success on the fl at track, running primar- ily in claiming races, winning twice and earning only $21,630 in her two years racing. Owned by Mouse House Farm, she then was transi- tioned to hurdles where John fi nished third at Potomac in the Maiden Hurdle in 2016. De- spite being a fabulous jumper, the mare just didn’t want to be a hurdle horse and the owners had decided to sell her as a foxhunter. “I started riding her to hunt and just have fun with her,”
highlight of my season with her as everything just came together and she felt great. I really enjoyed riding her and was looking forward to the rest of the season.” At Green Spring that April, the pair won the Junior Field Master’s Chase. Ella had an unfortunate fall at Fair Hill, but came back at the Grand National to fi nish second. T ey ended the season winning at the Maryland Junior Hunt Cup. For Ella, it is not the wins that make steeplechasing so much fun, it is the overall experience of the sport. “For me, it is the experience that has been so important. Even when I had to sit out that one season, I went to every race and helped out on the side,” she said. “I’ve always felt so welcomed in this sport.” When the spring season had ended, and MSA
awards were handed out (did we mention Ella won the Junior Rider on a Horse title?), Ella’s learning experience was not over. “Brooke was able to set me up to ride for Kelly Rubley at the Fair Hill Training Center for the summer,” she explained. “She taught me so much and really trusted me and took a chance on me. I really appreciate everything she taught me.” As we get started for the 2018 Maryland
Ella Brophy winning at the Maryland Junior Hunt Cup aboard Squeaky Ceci.
Ella said. But then the spring steeplechase sea- son started to approach and Ella asked to ride her at Green Spring. “My stepfather, Brooke Boyer, trains her and we just felt really great together,” Ella added. “Green Spring was the
steeplechase season to begin, Ella is unsure about what her racing future has to off er. “I just switched schools and am a junior at Mc- Donogh boarding school, and I’m already look- ing into colleges and such,” she said adding that no matter what, she knows she wants to stay a part of the racing community. “T at is what is so great about the community, I can take a year or two off and still know I’ll be welcomed back.” Ella also runs cross-country, mainly to keep fi t for racing but says, “nothing beats horses!”
READ ABOUT PREVIOUS KISER SCHOLARS ON
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FEBRUARY 2018 | THE EQUIERY | 27
Tammie J. Monaco
Tammie J. Monaco
180318-914999
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