Devon, PA – June 7, 2011 – With its home base just a few miles away in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, Callan Solem Show Stables competed at the prestigious Devon Horse Show this past week. Professional rider Callan Solem showcased her two leading mounts under the lights in the historic Dixon Oval, during the $100,000 Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon. Solem placed second aboard VDL Torlando, and eighth with Magic Cruise. Following the Grand Prix ride for ribbons, Solem was pleased to be named the winner of the Richard E. McDevitt Style Award. “It has always been a goal of mine,” she said. “So many amazing riders have won it before; it certainly is an honor to win that award, it added to a very exciting week.”
Designer Olaf Peterson presented the country’s leading riders with a challenging grand prix course, but Solem had clear first rounds on both of her horses. She went in the first slot to show in the jump-off with VDL Torlando, and the duo paved the way with a second clear effort, which would eventually garner them the second place honors. Solem then tackled the track with Magic Cruise to score the eighth place award.
“It is such a great show and a really special place to do so well, so I was very happy,” commented Solem. “I think Olaf did a great job with the course, it was difficult but he got the result he wanted. VDL Torlando is just turning 11 years old, so he’s entering the prime of his life. I’ve had him since he was six and he has so much experience now; it’s fun to have developed him. He’s starting to go like a professional. He came out there and knew exactly what he needed to do, he felt very knowledgeable.”
Solem also praised her mare, Magic Cruise, a relative Grand Prix newcomer, saying, “I was so proud of Cruise. I was very careful about deciding if she was ready to go in that class and she was such a good girl; she tried her very best. I think she jumped it comfortably on Thursday night, and I thought she came back even better on Saturday, despite being tired from a long week.”
Earlier in the week, on her young horse, VDL Wizard, the rider scored a first place ribbon and a second place ribbon in the Eight-Year-Old Young Jumper division.
“VDL Wizard is an exciting horse, I am so excited for his future,” she commented. “He just impresses me every day, and he knows when it is important. He doesn’t have a ton of experience but in his mind, he’s not green. He’s very confident and he doesn’t think there is anything he can’t do, and he might be right!”
Callan Solem and her students are now competing at the Upperville Colt and Horse Show in Virginia.
Callan Solem Show Stables is a hunter/jumper/equitation operation based in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, headed by international grand prix rider Callan Solem For more information about Callan Solem and Callan Solem Show Stables, please call (610) 827 -9003 or visit www.callansolem.com.
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