Category Archives: Maclay

Hunter/Equitation, Maclay

Ellie Aronson and It’s Easy Time Land the ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Region 3 Championship

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Ellie Aronson and It’s Easy Time ©Anne Gittins Photography.

Wellington, FL – Sept. 26, 2021 – It was a busy weekend of equitation competition during the ESP Florida State Fall, which hosted the Region 3 ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Championship as the highlight event at Equestrian Village. The class saw young riders from across the southeast region compete for the chance to compete at the finals later this year. Thanks to consistent performances over the fences and on the flat, plus a test, Ellie Aronson of Atlanta, GA and Eva Fisherman’s It’s Easy Time emerged as the victors.

“My horse was perfect! Even though this is just our second show together, I felt like everything just came together really well,” Aronson shared. She continued to elaborate on the rounds, saying, “In the first round, I just tried to stay on a nice canter. He holds himself in a really nice frame naturally, so in the flat phase I was able to just focus on myself and hold my position. Then in the test I just wanted to go out there and have fun with it.”

Forty-three riders contested the first round course, set by Andy Christiansen (ECU), in the covered ring at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Following the first round of competition, 32 riders were invited back for the flat phase, which was broken up into three groups, and ultimately just four riders were asked to return for the final test. After three technical rounds of competition, Aronson and It’s Easy Time were crowned the champions. Earning second place was Hailey Royce of Wellington, FL and Elios, owned by Michael Dietrich. Third-place honors were awarded to Schuyler Dayner of Odessa, FL and her own Gambino.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, National Horse Show

Dominic Gibbs Hoists Winning Title at 2020 ASPCA Maclay National Championship

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Dominic Gibbs and Cent 15.

Lexington, Ky. – Nov. 1, 2020 – Capping off the 137th anniversary of the historic Heritage competition, the ASPCA Maclay National Championship, presented by Chansonette Farm, highlighted the efforts of hopeful equitation riders from around the country Sunday at the National Horse Show. The last major equitation final for the year, the prestigious class featured record numbers, with 255 horse-and-rider partnerships taking their turns around the technical course designed by Bobby Murphy set within the Alltech Arena. As one of the United States’ most storied competitions thanks to its rich history, the National Horse Show has been the longtime host of the Maclay National Championship, which since 1933 has crowned a junior rider as the champion, a distinction regarded as one of the highest in the equitation discipline, especially considering how many advance to successful professional careers. In the irons aboard Mountain King Ranch LLC’s Cent 15, Dominic Gibbs reigned supreme to earn the tricolor honors as the most consistent junior rider throughout four arduous rounds of competition that tested exhibitors’ precision and efficiency to add a fourth top finish to his repertoire of growing equitation accolades.

Beginning early in the morning and throughout the first portion of the afternoon, exhibitors performed one-by-one over Murphy’s smartly-designed pattern, which was composed of 15 obstacles reminiscent of those riders would have seen in decades past. The hunt-inspired fences appeared in forms such as gaits, hedges, stacked logs and rolltops, plus a one-stride combination created out of racetrack fencing that proved to be one of the bogey tests of the day and plenty of wingless jumps. Murphy’s track was an apt test for the distinguished class as it called attention to the performances of those riders who mastered the course, separating that elite group from the pack as they successfully completed forward and tight lines, a precarious vertical and an obstacle jumped both directions, among other questions.

Faced with the tough job of ranking the multitude of riders seen throughout the day, judges Mark Jungherr and Emil Spadone ultimately settled on a final standby list of 24 juniors ahead of the second phase of the competition, the flat round. Thanks to her exemplary performance over fences that demonstrated correct, precise riding, Gigi Moynihan sat superior to her peers as the frontrunner following the challenging first fences round, leading ever since she tackled the pattern as the 36th in the start list. Behind Moynihan, the remainder of the top of the callback list included Dominic Gibbs, Taylor Griffiths-Madden, Mimi Gochman, Alexia Rule, Sophee Steckbeck, Ellie Ferrigno, Skylar Wireman, Chase Finizio, Hannah Dodd, Hannah Hoch, and Zayna Rizvi. Headed into the hack, those top 12 high-scoring riders were sectioned off to compete against each other under saddle, while the latter half of the standby list rode in another segment.

Excited to have made the top of the standings but with more tests to master, both sets of riders took to the Alltech Arena to compete in the flat phase of competition, during which they were challenged to show off their balance and strength via a series of directions from the judges that included all three gaits; working, extended, and collected sitting trot; simple change of lead to the counter-canter in front of the judges and walking to the line on a long rein. The leaderboard did not remain unchanged, as Gibbs leapfrogged up to the first spot, followed by Gochman, Griffiths-Madden, Steckbeck, Moynihan, and Ferrigno, in that order. Kierstin Antoniadis and Natalie Jayne moved their way up the list the most, advancing to 10th and 11th, respectively, after previously holding the 13th and 16th spots.

Returning in reverse order of the judges’ preference, the top 25 contenders each displayed their skills over Murphy’s second course, which asked for a long approach to fence one at a hand gallop, two counter-canter fences, a triple combination, and a forward 6-stride bending line. Not cutting any breaks for the qualified horse-and-rider challengers, the second jumping portion of the event served to further trim down Jungherr and Spadone’s ticket of premier performers. Wanting one last look at four entries, the judges requested that Steckbeck, Moynihan, Griffiths-Madden, and Gibbs, in that order, complete a final work-off. The test consisted of cantering fences 4 and 5, trotting fence 6, cantering the original fence 8C and 9, trotting fence 10, and hand galloping fence 12 before leaving the ring.

All four final contestants turned in valiant showings over the work-off track, leaving the judges the final job of separating the top contenders. The top ten returned to the ring for the awards presentation and as the reserve champion was announced as Griffiths-Madden, who just weeks previously won the 2020 Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final, it became clear that Gibbs had clinched the coveted title following four rounds of textbook riding. The champion rider piloted Cent 15, an 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding he worked with Beacon Hill trainer Stacia Klein-Madden, a former Maclay National Championship winner herself, to transition from a jumper to a successful equitation horse.

Based out of Colorado Springs, Colorado, the 17-year-old Gibbs has had an astounding year with top-five finishes in all four equitation finals, now culminating in his victory in the 2020 ASPCA Maclay National Championship, presented by Chansonette Farm. Gibbs kicked off his equitation reign with fourth place in the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final, followed by fifth position overall in the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals – East just one week later and another fourth-place result in the WIHS Equitation Finals. With his victory Sunday in Kentucky, Gibbs has added his name to an esteemed list of Maclay National Championship victors that include sport legends such as Bill Steinkraus, Frank Chapot, and Bernie Traurig, as well as new age stars like Jessica Springsteen, Lillie Keenan, and Victoria Colvin.

Though she hoped for the blue ribbon, Griffiths-Madden put in a superb performance that captured the runner-up honors following her efforts on her own Mac One III, and Moynihan was awarded the final podium spot with Christy Johnson’s Quantico. Stechbecl rounded out the top four riding Itteville, owned by Donald Stewart.

Sunday’s competition concluded the 137th National Horse Show, which featured nine days of equestrian action in the equitation, hunter, and jumper disciplines in 2020.

To learn more about the 2020 National Horse Show, click here.

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, National Horse Show

Ava Stearns Wins ASPCA Maclay National Championship at National Horse Show

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Ava Stearns on Acer K.

Lexington, Ky. – Nov. 3, 2019 – On the final day of its 136th anniversary, the National Horse Show welcomed junior equitation riders to the Alltech Arena for the ASPCA Maclay National Championship, presented by Chansonette Farm, the last of the four major equitation finals held each fall season. The National Horse Show has come to be known as one of America’s premier indoor equestrian events thanks to its rich history and classical traditions, one of which is the prestigious championship that is regarded as one of the most coveted equitation distinctions in the sport. Since 1933, an elite junior rider’s name has been etched into history as the annual champion, and this year the deserving victor was 18-year-old Ava Stearns, who topped the scorecard during her final junior year ahead of 175 athletes to capture the tricolor honors as the 2019 ASPCA Maclay National Champion and winner of the esteemed ASPCA Horsemanship Trophy.

Throughout the majority of the day, entries contested designer Bobby Murphy’s course one-by-one in attempts to showcase their abilities over the expertly created 14-effort pattern. The efficient course featured a diverse collection of fence types ranging from sturdy to airy, with the majority of the jumps not implementing standards, and was a nod to popular obstacles of the past as Murphy incorporated a series of fences that were reminiscent of those seen in previous generations. Exhibitors were offered fair opportunities to shine or fall short, with a forward 5-stride line, a collected 6-stride line, two in-and-outs, and an obstacle jumped twice both directions all integrated into the course.

Faced with the task of whittling down the initial start list of 176 pairs to only the top 25 performers, judges Jimmy Torano and Tamara Provost ranked the collection of participants who had earned a callback into the next rounds of competition. As the 92nd to ride in the original order-of-go, Stearns, riding Acer K, proved to answer Murphy’s questions the best as they exemplified the pinnacle of equitation, completing a textbook trip to jump to the head of the standby list following the first phase of competition. Headed into the under saddle and second over fences portions of riding, Stearns, Isabelle Song, Breanna Bunevacz, Emma Fletcher, Alexa Aureliano, Juliette Joseph, Catalina Peralta, Jordan Toering, and Savannah Hemby were pegged as the frontrunners, all riding head-to-head in the same flat section.

During the under saddle phase, riders’ balance and strength, as well as their horses’ adjustability, were put to the test through a series of directives from the judges, which included lengthening of stride, flying changes, and changes of gait, most of which was done without stirrups. Thanks to impeccable showings, both Bunevacz and Fletcher managed to usurp the early leader to claim the first and second positions, respectively, ahead of the final over fences phase. Hemby, Casas, Pielet, and Griffiths also performed well and leapfrogged up the ranks to inch that much closer to the top spot.

Returning in reverse order of the standings for their last chance to display their skills, all of the top 25 contenders navigated the Alltech Arena once more in an effort to either win the competition or force a work-off. With the points too close to make a championship decision yet following the second jumping phase, the judges requested a final test for six riders, which included highest-placed Stearns, Fletcher, Casas, Hannah Hoch, Sophie Gochman, and Elli Yeager. Originally outside of the top six, Hoch, Gochman, and Yeager were each able to maneuver their way up the leaderboard to keep them in contention.

For their final ride-off, competitors were asked to canter directly to fence one, counter-canter fence 11, canter fences 12a and 12b, canter to fence 13 in six strides, halt, canter fence eight, hand gallop fence five, and exit at the walk. The first five partnerships each turned in solid performances with no major errors, keeping the competition tight as the final entry walked through the arch for the last over fences trip of more than 200 throughout the day. As the ultimate challenger to ride, and with the lead to lose, Stearns jockeyed Acer K to an exemplary and seemingly effortless round, concluding the day’s activities on a high note with her precision, correct form, and aid effectiveness. After waiting through the nerve-wracking announcement of results, Stearns was rewarded for her superior efforts with Acer K as the 2019 ASPCA Maclay National Champion.

As the 2019 victor, Stearns’ name now sits amongst some of the sport’s greatest athletes and icons, including past winners such as Bill Steinkraus, Frank Chapot, Lillie Keenan, Victoria Colvin, and 2018 winner Sam Walker. Even more impressive is the fact that the junior rider claimed the championship aboard 8-year-old Acer K, North Run’s gelding who has just completed his first indoor season competing in the equitation finals. Though their partnership is relatively new, Stearns and Acer K have already achieved an incredible amount of success together, earning the reserve champion honors in both the 2019 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals – East as well as 2019 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) Equitation Final, in addition to topping the inaugural Dudley B. Smith Equitation Championship at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival during the summer. As the trainers of the winning rider, Missy Clark and John Brennan of North Run were also awarded a one-year lease of an Audi, courtesy of Audi of Lexington.

Hot off third place honors in Saturday’s Hollow Brook Wealth Management $25,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumper Grand Prix CSI4*, 18-year-old Casas continued her successful weekend with the reserve champion honors. The 2018 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) Equitation Final winner, 17-year-old Yeager added to her equitation reputation by earning the overall third place status. The 2019 Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final winner just weeks ago, Fletcher clinched fourth place, while Gochman earned fifth place and Hoch rounded out the top six.

Sunday’s competition concluded the 2019 National Horse Show, but the equestrian event will return in 2020 to once again host the ASPCA Maclay National Championship.

To learn more about the National Horse Show, click here.

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, Show Jumping

Laura Chapot and Chandon Blue Speed to Win $50,000 Grand Prix CSI 2*

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Laura Chapot and Chandon Blue. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 24, 2019 – In a field of 45 competitors, Laura Chapot (USA) and Mary Chapot’s Chandon Blue sped to the win in the $50,000 Grand Prix CSI 2*, presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte. Chapot and Chandon Blue were one of eight clear in the first round and fourth to return in the jump-off over a course designed by Andy Christiansen Jr.

First to return in the jump-off were Bretton Chad (CAN) and The Pugilist, who put down a deceptively fast clear round in 38.72 seconds that would hold up for second place. After a fall and a scratch from the next two competitors, Peter Wylde (USA) and Canamera 2, owned by Kathleen Kamine, entered the ring and finished in 39.99 seconds for fifth place.

Chapot and Chandon Blue went next and through a combination of speed and tight turns, they brought the leading time down to 37.85 seconds for the win.

McLain Ward and Tradition de la Roque Win $72,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Classic

In the $72,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Classic CSI 5*, there were 45 entries competing over a course designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio. Four were able to go clear in the first 20 trips in the class, and they went on to go for speed in the jump-off.

Ward went first in the jump-off on HH Gigi’s Girl, owned by Double H Farm. A rail and a time of 39.41 seconds left them in fourth place.

Lorenzo de Luca (ITA), riding Stephex Stables’ Evita Van’t Zoggehof, were next in and they were very quick and clear in 37.81 seconds, which would slot into second place. Third place went to Carlos Hank Guerreiro (MEX) on H5 Jemousin, owned by H5 Stables, who was clear in 41.07 seconds.

Last proved to the best when Ward returned with Tradition de la Roque, a 12-year-old Selle Français mare by Kannan x Oberon du Moulin. They sped through the short course in 37.55 seconds, just taking the win by less than three-tenths of a second.

Abigail Lefkowitz and Ava Ellis Successful in ASPCA Maclay

The final day of competition during Week 7 of the 2019 Winter Equestrian Festival highlighted several FEI events in the International Arena as well as national hunter, jumper, and equitation competition throughout the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Both sections A and B of the ASPCA Maclay took to Ring 9 with upwards of 30 entries each. Section A awarded the first place to Abigail Lefkowitz and Top Saint Aubin, while Section B’s victory went to Ava Ellis aboard Campreoll.

In each section, the top 12 riders were invited to return for a test on the flat in which they were asked to remove their stirrups from the saddle before displaying control at the walk, trot, and canter.

For full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, National Horse Show

Sam Walker Makes History as 2018 ASPCA Maclay National Champion at NHS

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Photo: Sam Walker on Waldo.

Lexington, Ky. – Nov. 4, 2018 – Celebrating its 135th year, the National Horse Show has come to be known as one of America’s premier indoor equestrian events thanks to its rich history and classical traditions, with the ASPCA Maclay National Championship, presented by Chansonette Farm, adding even more prestige as one of the four major equitation finals held each fall season. Since 1933, an elite junior rider’s name has been etched into history as the annual champion, and this year the competition tested 175 horses and riders over a series of challenging phases to determine the deserving victor. The culmination of a week at the Kentucky Horse Park, the 2018 National Horse Show concluded with a dream realized for Sam Walker of Ontario, Canada, now the newest champion of the ASPCA Maclay National Championship and winner of the esteemed ASPCA Horsemanship Trophy.

Over the course of the day, the initial field of participants took turns tackling Bobby Murphy’s (USA) expertly designed equitation track, which looked deceptively straightforward at first glance. Incorporating most jumps as part of lines, the efficient course offered competitors multiple opportunities to either spotlight their talents or fall victim to the design’s tests, with distances between fences varying and requiring riders to lengthen or collect quickly within the same series of obstacles. Structurally, the fences presented a different type of challenge, with Murphy’s creative collection of jumps including plenty without standards in addition to a handful of skinny jumps, a gate, and an airy triple bar. As the 39th in the order-of-go, Walker and North Run’s Waldo exemplified the pinnacle of equitation, completing a flawless trip to jump into the first standby list.

Separated from the rest of the pack as the creme of the crop, 25 partnerships were hand-selected by the judges’ booth, which was occupied by esteemed horsemen Walter T. Kees and Chance Arakelian, to return for the second phase of the contest after top-notch performances over fences. Headed into the under saddle and second over fences portions of riding, Walker, Brian Moggre, Ava Ellis, Emma Kurtz, Catalina Peralta, Paige Matthies, Daisy Farish, and Coco Fath were pegged as the frontrunners, all riding head-to-head in the same flat section.

During the under saddle phase, horse-and-rider combinations’ adjustability, balance and connection were put to the test by the judges, who asked for a series of skill demonstrations such as the counter-canter, extended canter, and sitting trot, among others. With one final chance to prove their abilities, the top contenders returned to the Alltech Arena for a second trip over Murphy’s track, this time consisting of almost no fences with standards, a hand gallop, a counter-canter, a trot fence, and an airy fence jumped in both directions.

Returning in reverse order of the standings for the second over fences phase, Moggre had the advantage as the last entry to ride, with Walker, Farish, Fath, Kurtz, Matthies, Ellis, and Alexandra Worthington sitting in second through eighth positions, respectively, and all aiming to knock him from the top of the leaderboard. Following the completion of the top 25, the judges needed one last look at the top six, and asked for testing from Walker, Moggre, Fath, Kurtz, Matthies, and Mimi Gochman, who leapfrogged from 12th place into the work-off. Of the remaining contenders, Moggre was the only one to have been victorious in a national equitation final previously, having won the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show earlier this fall, but it was Walker who had moved to the top of the standings headed into the last display of riding. Sunday afternoon’s test asked riders to canter fence 7, canter fence 2, counter-canter fence 6a, canter fence 6b, canter fence 4, halt, and return to the line.

As the last to ride in the work-off, Walker capped off the day’s championship with an exclamation point, navigating a textbook trip aboard Waldo seemingly with ease and displaying high levels of precision, correct form, and aid effectiveness to secure the championship tricolor and the prestigious honor of ASPCA Maclay National Champion. As the 2018 victor, Walker’s name now joins the ranks of past winners that include some of the sport’s icons such as Bill Steinkraus, Frank Chapot, and George Morris, as well as recent superstars Lillie Keenan, Victoria Colvin, and Madison Goetzmann.

Sunday’s distinction for Walker is one of the highlights of his competitive equitation career, although he has come close to the top call more than once. This year alone, he has placed within the top 10 in the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show as well as the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) Equitation Final. A multi-talented equestrian, Walker also campaigns in the upper level jumpers, having won U25 and High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper classes across the United States and Canada under the tutelage of his trainers Missy Clark and John Brennan from North Run. For training the winning rider, Audi of Lexington donated a one-year lease of an Audi to Walker’s trainers.

The men represented well this year, with Moggre capturing the reserve honors behind his peer, Walker. Moggre rode Efendi, owned by Donald Stewart, over the course of the contest. Jacob Pope was the last male athlete to claim the top honors in 2012, and prior to that was Brian Walker in 2001. Coincidentally, Sam got paired with Waldo partly with the help of the previous winner that shares his namesake. Jumping from sixth place after the second over fences phase, Paige Matthies piloted Barbara Smith’s Blurred Lines to third overall thanks to her standout work-off test to round out the podium finishers.

For more information, please visit www.nhs.org.

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, National Horse Show, Show Jumping

ASPCA Maclay Championship Regional Qualifiers Rapidly Approaching

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Lexington, KY – July 3, 2017 – With the horse shows well underway, the all-important regional qualifiers for the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Championship is rapidly approaching.

The ASPCA Maclay National Championship, to be held this year November 4 in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park, is one of the most prestigious equitation championships in history. Past winners include some of the biggest names in the equestrian sport, including William Steinkraus (1941), Frank Chapot (1948), George Morris (1952), Leslie Burr Howard (1972) and Nicole Shahinian Simpson (1992). Equestrians from all around the country prepare year-round for this highly anticipated event, and the NHS has officially announced the 2018 dates and locations for each of the eight regional qualifying competitions.

Both ASPCA Maclay Regionals for Region 1 (Northeast – CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT) and Region 2 (East – NJ, NY, PA) will be held at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, New York Saturday, September 22, 2018. For further details, 914-669-5610 or mary@mmg.management.com.

Region 3 (Southeast – AL, DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV) Sunday, September 23, 2018. Southeast Fall Classic Horse Show in Tampa, Florida. For further details, 407-619-0891 or devita124@aol.com.

Region 4 (Midwest – IL, IN, KY, MI, OH) Saturday, September 22, 2018 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. For further details, 615-838-7560 or wldwoo@aol.com.

Region 5 (Central – IA, KS, LA, MO, MN, ND, NE, OK, SD, TX, WI) Saturday, September 15, 2018, at the St. Louis Charity Horse Show in Lake St. Louis, Missouri. For further details, 314-308-1162 or stlnchorseshow@aol.com.

Region 6 (Mountain – AZ, CO, NM, UT) Sunday, September 16, 2018 at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, CO. For further details, 303-841-5550 or email mmaybank@coloradohorsepark.com.

Region 7 (Northwest – AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY) Saturday, September 15, 2018 at the The Northwest Autumn Classic in Monroe, Washington. For further details, 360-805-6711 or DIANJNSN@aol.com.

Region 8 (West – CA, HI, NV) Saturday, September 15, 2018 at the Blenheim Fall Tournament in San Juan Capistrano. For details, 949-443-1841 or showpark@aol.com.

Entries for the Regional Maclay Championship classes will close, and must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern time September 1, 2018, at the NHSAA’s office.  If you wish to change your region, you must notify the NHS in writing by August 15, 2018, using the official form provided by the NHSAA that can be found at www.nhs.org.

Community/Charity, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay, National Horse Show

Hailey Johns Named as Official Junior Ambassador for Leo Conroy Maclay Grant

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Hailey Johns competing in the 2017 ASPCA Maclay Equitation Finals. PC: Shawn McMillan Photography.

Lexington, KY – March 21, 2018 – The National Horse Show is pleased to announce 17-year-old Hailey Johns as the new Junior Ambassador for the Leo Conroy Maclay Grant (LCMG). Johns was a recipient of the important grant in 2017 and used it to compete at the National Horse Show in the ASPCA Maclay Equitation Championship.

Johns, who currently trains with Katie Kappler of Katie Kappler LLC, has been an avid equestrian since she was four years old. After a brief introductory phase at a western facility, Johns was introduced to the hunter and jumper disciplines. She competed in the pony divisions and junior hunter classes before making the transition to the equitation ring at age 12.

“I’d wanted to compete in the Maclay Finals for so long and I was so excited to have qualified but the first thing that I asked myself was ‘how am I going to make this possible?’” remarked Johns. “My parents had already completely expended our budget to get me to the regionals so I felt like I needed to cover as much of the expenses as possible.”

That’s when Johns says she and Kappler saw a poster advertising the grant at the regionals facility. “I researched it and I knew that was the best route to go. It seemed like an exceptional opportunity and perfect for me so I applied as soon as I could,” said Johns.

The Leo Conroy Maclay Grant was established in 2015 after the passing of rider and trainer, Leo Conroy. Conroy was an avid supporter of the National Horse Show and especially of the ASPCA Maclay Finals. He spent many years as the co-manager of the National Horse Show and acted as Chairman of the National Horse Show Equitation Committee. To commemorate his dedication and love for the show, the grant is awarded to up to 5 Maclay competitors and 3 Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3″ Equitation Championship competitors each year that demonstrate a need for financial support to participate in their divisions.

The ASPCA Maclay Final championship is considered one of the most prestigious equitation events in the country and hosts many young athletes from across the country.

All riders must qualify through regional competitions in order to compete at the Maclay finals. Those seeking assistance through the LCMG to support their journey are asked to detail an essay on the importance of the show to them and why they are a good choice as a recipient of the grant. The grant accommodates recipients by covering expenses associated with entry fees and stabling as well as a $1,000 stipend to cover additional show-related costs required to compete in the Maclay Final or Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3″ Equitation Championship.

“We are thrilled to have Hailey Johns represent the Leo Conroy Maclay Grant this year,” said Jennifer Burger, President of the National Horse Show. “Hailey is the perfect representation of the type of young person that we strive to help through the LCMG and we are looking forward to utilizing her to get the word out for the 2018 edition of the National Horse Show.”

To learn more about the Leo Conroy Maclay Grant, click here.

To learn more about the National Horse Show, click here.

Championships, Hunter/Equitation, Jump Media, Maclay

Old Salem Farm Welcomes Top Equitation Riders at ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Championships

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Katherine Bundy aboard Co Co Pop. Photo by Jump Media Photography.

North Salem, NY – Old Salem Farm was host to both the Region 1 and 2 ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Championships on Saturday, September 17, during the American Gold Cup CSI 4*-W. Elite local equitation riders competed with hopes to qualify for the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Championship at the CP National Horse Show on November 1-6 in Lexington, Kentucky.

Old Salem Farm gives equitation riders an early opportunity for indoor competition at a top-quality venue before all of the indoor finals each fall. Seizing that opportunity, both Katherine Bundy of Westport, CT and Maya Nayyar of New York, NY are making the most of their final year as junior riders and clinched Regional Championship wins at Old Salem Farm after an over fences phase and a flat phase. Bundy and her mount Co Co Pop, owned by her trainer Missy Clark and North Run, topped Region 1 competition, while Maya Nayyar and her own Fox Z won for Region 2 under the direction of trainer Stacia Madden.

The American Gold Cup at Old Salem Farm offers equitation riders a chance to shine among some of the best riders in the world as top athletes converge for a stop on the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League tour. For Bundy, who also won the Regional Maclay Championship at Old Salem Farm in 2015, it is a learning moment.

“I have always loved Old Salem Farm because I think the indoor is amazing and so well kept, but competing during the [American] Gold Cup is really special,” said Bundy. “So many people who flock to this horse show are important to watch and having that visual experience is so important for me. I love watching a 1.40m speed or a 1.50m and then go do the regionals. Although they are different classes, the discipline is similar. It’s really important to be here and watch those people, and that’s why I love this horse show.”

Bundy admits that Co Co Pop is a seasoned veteran in the equitation ring, having ribboned at the Regional Championships at Old Salem Farm with several past riders of North Run trainers Missy Clark and John Brennan. She, however, is eager for the experience she gains at the Regional Championships leading into the finals season.

“Each year getting competition experience and having that mentality of going into finals and composing yourself gets less and less intimidating,” she said.

When asked about Bundy as a rider, Clark responded, “She is such a great competitor, and she has worked so hard. She has a very calm attitude in these situations, and I felt very confident in her handling the course today. This indoor is a great venue, and these equitation riders are accommodated so well all weekend.”

For Nayyar, Saturday’s Region 2 win was a not an uncomplicated one. While warming up for the over fences phase, both she and Madden noticed that their entered mount, Connaro, was not quite himself.

“Maya gets a tremendous amount of credit,” said Madden. “I’ve learned through experience that anyone who has the ability to have a backup horse should have it here and ready. She jumped one jump and said, ‘I need to be fair to my horse’.”

Madden left the final decision to Nayyar who chose to compete Fox Z.

“She had faith in her horses, preparation, instructor, and herself to make a good judgment that was right for the horse and ultimately right for her,” added Madden.

“Today was a good confidence booster,” said Nayyar. “I am happy we qualified, and my plan was just to get everything done. I came [to Old Salem] just for regionals, and I’m glad it worked out.”

When asked what she likes about bringing riders to Old Salem Farm, Madden said, “I’m a big proponent of having all the regionals indoors because I think that if you’re getting ready for finals indoors, you should be having your regionals indoors. This is a very nice venue to use as preparation.”

Full horse show results can be found at www.theamericangoldcup.com.

Contact: Lindsay Brock
lindsay@jumpmediallc.com

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay

Region 3 Maclay/NHSAA Maclay Champion: Ashton Alexander

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Ashton Alexander takes home the blue with a seamless and bold performance aboard Fernway Park. Alexander, of Ocala, FL, is trained by Bibby Hill and Don Stewart of Don Stewart Stables, also in Ocala, FL. Alexander successfully navigated the course, designed by Phil DeVita, and was called back last to test. She managed to hold onto the lead spot to secure her victory, for the second year in a row. Congratulations Ashton – everyone at Southeast Medal Finals wishes you a successful Indoor Circuit!

Contact Information:

Managers:
James Lala, Philip DeVita & Stadium Jumping
(561) 906-6668
jdlala@aol.com

Secretary:
Susie Morrissey (941) 527-6602
susiemorr@aol.com

Sponsorship and Advertising:
Paula Taylor (561) 629-2977
ptaylor.quarantine@aol.com

Live feed by Bryan Morgan brought to you by Holly Hill Horse Transport.

Southeast Medal Finals Fast Facts:

WHAT:
The Southeast Medal Finals is an A-rated indoor and outdoor hunter, jumper, and equitation finals horse show modeled after the New England Medal Finals. It attracts top riders and offers both a fantastic prep for those headed to Indoors or a special culmination for those ending their show season.

WHEN: September 17-20, 2015

WHERE: The Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Jacksonville, FL, featuring a large indoor coliseum with over 3,000 seats, two outdoor rings and a turf arena plus schooling rings and 500 permanent stalls. It is centrally located for USHJA Zone 4 and Region 3 competitors. The complex includes a network of adjacent trails, available to explore and enjoy for a casual hack during horse show down times. Area attractions include a 18 hole public golf course across the street, so Dad and Brother will have something fun to do to pass the time and a swimming center within walking distance.
Physical Address: 13611 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32221

Equitation Finals:

  • Maclay Regionals
  • The Phelps Media Group Southeast Junior 3′ Medal
  • Riding Habit Southeast Adult Medal
  • GGT Footing Southeast 2’6″ Children’s Medal
  • Ovation Southeast 2’6″ Adult Medal
  • Southeast Pony Medal

Hunter Finals:

  • Tenney’s Custom Saddlery Southeast Children’s Hunter
  • Southeast Adult Hunter
  • AG Equestrian Southeast 2’6″ Children’s Hunter
  • Southeast 2’6” Adult Hunter
  • C. M. Hadfield’s Southeast Junior Hunter
  • Southeast Amateur Owner Hunter
  • Southeast Pony Hunter

Jumper Finals:

  • Boy-O-Boy Bridleworks $500 Southeast Low Children’s Jumper
  • North Run $500 Southeast High Children’s Jumper
  • Long Creek Farms $500 Southeast Low Adult Jumper
  • Wellington Quarantine $500 Southeast High Children’s Jumper
  • $1,500 Southeast Low Junior Jumper
  • $1,500 Southeast Low Amateur Owner Jumper

Jumper Classics:

  • Geddaway Farm $5,000 High Junior Jumper
  • Reid & Associates Equine Clinic $5,000 High Amateur Owner Jumper

http://www.southeastmedalfinals.com

American Gold Cup, Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Maclay

Old Salem Farm Hosts Top Equitation Riders at Region 2 ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Championship

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Katherine Bundy is presented with winner’s awards by trainers John Brennan and Missy Clark, as well as National Horse Show Association of America President Mason Phelps. ©Lindsay Brock for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

North Salem, NY – September 13, 2015 – Old Salem Farm was home to the Region 2 ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Championship during the American Gold Cup CSI4*-W this week. Top local equitation riders competed on Saturday with hopes to qualify for the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Championship Finals at the National Horse Show in Lexington, KY this November.

Old Salem Farm gives equitation riders an early opportunity for indoor competition at a top-quality venue before Indoor Finals each fall. Frank Madden, trainer at Old Salem Farm, was proud to host the Region 2 Championship, stating, “The American Gold Cup is always a highlight of our year at Old Salem Farm, and to have the Region 2 Maclay be a part of that only adds to the excitement of the week.”

“I was glad to see such great rides today, but also to see show jumping fans from the local community come out to enjoy the events,” he concluded.

Sixteen-year-old Katherine Bundy of Westport, CT impressed in all three phases to take top honors over 37 riders. Bundy was one of six pairs to return for additional testing. Taylor St. Jacques of Glen Allen, VA returned first, followed by Maya Nayyar of New York, NY; T. J. O’Mara of Rumson, NJ; Bundy; Lucy Deslauriers of New York, NY; and lastly, Katherine Strauss of Southampton, NY.

When Bundy was called back to flat in Section A, she knew her trip to Kentucky was final and breathed a sigh of relief before her test. “It was a good feeling to know I had made it going into the flat and I am really excited now that I’m in. Now my mom can finally buy a hotel room,” she laughed.

Bundy’s trainer, Missy Clark, uses the equitation offerings at Old Salem Farm during the American Gold Cup as a prelude to Indoor Finals and thinks it serves a pivotal role in getting her riders ready. “It’s a great prep for the upcoming season,” she said. “Getting in this ring throughout the last couple days and getting your sea legs back to ride indoors is important. It’s a great event and we always enjoy coming here.”

The testing order shuffled significantly with Bundy nailing the counter canter for the win. Nayyar took second with a smooth round, while T. J. O’Mara claimed third. St. Jacques settled for fourth, Deslauriers was fifth, and Strauss capped the top six.

“The courses were really friendly and inviting, and the jumps were beautiful, which always helps,” said Bundy, who piloted Levkoi. The gelding is a mount she owns and has been riding for two years, but just returned to the tack this winter after an injury. “He is one of most comfortable horses I’ve ever ridden. It’s the closest thing to floating on a cloud,” she said the horse she calls Leo around the barn. “It all came together for us this year in Lake Placid, but we even made a little mistake there, so I redeemed myself here.”

This week at Old Salem Farm, the American Gold Cup is one of only seven events that will comprise the East Coast division of the all-new Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League. Highlighting the final day of the American Gold Cup, the $215,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping New York, scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13, will be available on FEI TV. Click here to subscribe to FEI TV. NBC Sports Network will also air the American Gold Cup CSI4*-W on Monday, September 14, from 7-8:30 p.m.

About Old Salem Farm

Old Salem Farm, located just one hour north of New York City, is one of the best equestrian competition venues in North America, as rated by the North American Riders Group in 2011 through 2014. Host of the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, the prestigious American Gold Cup CSI-4*-W, and year-round competitions, the facility offers a state-of-the-art turf grand prix field, indoor riding arena, and two all-weather footing rings. Facility offers a state-of-the-art turf grand prix field, indoor riding arena, and two all-weather footing rings. For the past four years, the North American Riders Group (NARG) has recognized the Old Salem Farm competitions on their NARG Top 25 List. As a boarding and training facility, Old Salem Farm is second to none and home to top trainer Frank Madden. For more information on Old Salem Farm, including its yearlong competition schedule, prize lists, clinics, boarding, lessons and training, visit www.oldsalemfarm.net or call 914-669-5610.

About the American Gold Cup

Held over five days, the American Gold Cup brings together a diverse crowd of elite equestrian athletes, discerning horse owners, excited fans and young hopefuls waiting to catch a glimpse of their idols set amongst a fanfare of family-friendly activities, competitions, shopping, entertainment and celebrity sightings.

In addition to the competition ring, the international show jumping event features high-end shopping located along Old Salem Farm’s boutique row. From top-notch equestrian tack and equipment to fashion, jewelry, antiques, art and much more, the scenic outdoor boutiques offer show-goers the perfect opportunity to get some shopping in while taking a break from the competition action.

Lindsay Brock for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
803.240.7488
jenniferwoodmedia.com