Tag Archives: Aaron Vale

Competitions, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Ocala Winter Circuit II Continues with $2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome and $25k SmartPak Grand Prix

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(C) ESI Photography. Manuel Torres and Christofolini H.

Ocala, FL (January 29, 2016): The HITS Ocala Winter Circuit continued with the $2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome on Wednesday, January 27, and the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix on Thursday, January 28.

$2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome
Jumpers attacked the 1.40-meter course set by course designer, Oscar Soberon of Dallas, Texas, for the $2500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome in Week II of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Manuel Torres, of Waterford, Virginia, riding Christofolini H, owned by Andrea Torres Guerreiro, was the first of eleven riders to jump the first round clean. He set the course on fire in the jump-off with a time of 35.784 seconds. Matthias Hollberg of Middleburg, Virginia and Aletta, owned by Olympic Dreams LLC, was second-place in 35.921 seconds, and speedster Lisa Goldman of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, on her own Hindsight, was third in 37.011.

The 13-effort course got the better of the first five to attempt it, with seven different fences collecting faults. As the first to attempt the jump-off, Torres took no prisoners with a furious pace, leaving out a stride in the bending line from the narrow at to the combination, setting the Great American Time to Beat at 35.784 seconds.

Next to achieve a double-clear was Goldman on Hindsight. The grey jumped so high that his time in the air cost him valuable seconds and he completed the shortened course in 37.011 to finish third.

Four more were able to go double-clear, including David Beisel of Goshen, Ohio, riding Redfield Farm’s Alastar, the first of his four rides, finishing in fifth place. Hollberg and Aletta flew to the finish line but were not able to catch Torres, finishing second in 35.921 seconds.

Mattias Tromp of North Salem, New York jumped a tidy double-clear on Bloom Z, owned by Beyaert Farm Inc., to finish fourth in 38.093. Harold Chopping from Southern Pines, North Carolina, riding Kendra Bullington’s chestnut Basje, was the final double-clear, finishing sixth in 38.839 seconds.

$25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix
Aaron Vale of Williston, Florida and Quidam’s Good Luck, owned by Troy Glaus, had more than just luck in Thursday’s $25,000 Smart Pak Grand Prix held in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida. Vale skillfully chose to leave out strides on the shortened course and in doing so, he prevailed over Lisa Goldman of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois on Morocco by more than a full second, and by more than 3 seconds over third-place finisher Brandie Holloway from Topeka, Kansas and Lucky Strike, owned by Hays Investment Corp.

Twenty-two participants jumped for a chance at the winner’s share of prize money over a course set at 1.50 meters by Mexico native course designer, Oscar Soberon. Six horses had fault-free first rounds, starting off with Goldman and Morocco, the winner of last Sunday’s $50,000 Tuffrider/Equine Couture Grand Prix.

Ten more tried, but failed to negotiate the track which crisscrossed the ring and featured a triple combination across the center. Next to go clear were Holloway and Lucky Strike. Last week’s SmartPak winner Catungee, owned and ridden by Christophe Schroder, from Andersonville, Tennessee, followed with another clear.

Goldman returned on her second mount, Rocs to Riches, to go clean and to make it four for the jump-off. Marilyn Little of Frederick, Maryland, team and individual Gold Medalist in Three Day Eventing at the 2015 Pan Am Games, made it five, riding Raylyn Farms’ Corona 93, and Vale and Quidam’s Good Luck, last to go in the first round, made it six.

First to return to the jump-off was Goldman and Morocco. Goldman chose to do eight strides up the first line so she could turn a dime to fence 3 and took an extra pull on the reins at the last fence to garner a clean round in 37.085 seconds. The Great American Time to Beat held up as Holloway and Lucky Strike followed.

Choosing to leave out a stride in the first line, Holloway looked like she might get it done, but she lost time in the turn after the second fence and stopped the clock in a fault-free 39.327 seconds for third. Schroeder and Goldman both chose to do the seven strides up the first line and each had four faults at the following vertical with Rocs to Riches clocking in at 39.366 seconds to finish fifth, and Catungee in 41.506 seconds to finish sixth. Little and Corona 93 were clear just behind Holloway’s time to finish fourth in 39.551 seconds.

Returning last to the jump-off, Vale knew just what he needed to do.

“This course is really suited to my horse; I went down in seven strides to the first line, and caught a really short turn back to the vertical, which made the seven to the combination a little wide, but it really kept the momentum going,” said Vale. “Of course it was just a gallop to the last – I really liked the course. It had a couple of odd shaped lines in it which made it so that not everyone was clean. My other two horses didn’t make the jump-off but jumped really well. I thought when I walked the course that my horse would have a good chance to win and I stayed out of his way, so he won.”

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS: join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • info@HitsShows.com • HitsShows.com

HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Aaron Vale and Dress Balou Win Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Finals

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(C) ESI Photography. Aaron Vale and Dress Balou.

SAUGERTIES, NY (September 9, 2015): Championship Sunday at HITS Saugerties began with the high-energy concluding round of the richest Hunter class in the country, the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. Aaron Vale, of Williston, Florida, and Dress Balou, owned by Donald Stewart, did it again, winning their second consecutive title in the renowned event to secure a reign at the top.

Vale’s game of cat and mouse with Victoria Colvin, riding Dr. Betsee Parker’s Inclusive, ignited in Friday’s first round and continued through Saturday’s second round, going back and forth with the leading scores, and both were guaranteed an appearance in the top 25 on Sunday.

“She [Colvin] was a smidge ahead of us going in there and out of the two preliminary rounds, she beat us once and we beat her once. So we knew she was the one to go after,” said owner Donald Stewart.

Sunday’s round three offered the top 25 competitors a clean slate from their previous scores and the fresh start was the perfect way to impress the judges and move up in the ranks. The class began but it wasn’t until the fourth entry, Patricia Griffith of New York, New York, and Akinda, owned by Hillside Farm LLC, navigated the course set by Rian Beals of Saugerties, New York, that the competition heated up. They were careful in their movements finishing with scores of 85, 86 and 88 for the lead with a total of 259.

The attempts continued throughout the order, but no one could touch Griffith at the top. That was until Adrienne Iverson and Reliance, owned by Brook Run Farm, LLC, strutted into the ring. Steadily they completed the course with scores of 85, 88 and 89.5, totaling 259, and just enough to tie Griffith.

Twenty-fourth in the order, Vale was confident in his craft and led his six year old mount to scores of 89, 91 and 89 for a total of 269 and the lead.

“The course was pretty and the ring is beautiful,” said Vale. “There is a bit of atmosphere with the money at stake and the crowd was into it so you can feel a little bit of electricity out there.”

Colvin was last in the order and she topped the charts with a high total score of 271, the result of a 91, 87 and 93. The top four had one last round to give it their all and either Colvin, Vale, Iverson or Griffith would be crowned victorious.

First in the round four order, Griffith finished her round with a total score of 258, and an overall score of 517. She was followed by Iverson who sailed to a total of 262 and an overall score of 521 to best Griffith by four points.

Spectators grew quiet as Vale entered next and gave his everything in attempt to make up for the three points between him and Colvin after round three. Careful, with just enough presentation to catch the attention of the judge’s panel, he exited the ring as a total score of 268, and a 537 overall, echoed through the show grounds.

Colvin was next and the crowd grew silent again as she met every fence in stride. She piloted her way through the course to earn a total of 264, but it was not enough to top Vale. Her overall score of 535, just 2 points behind Vale, for the red ribbon.

“Going into the last round I kind of opened the stride in the gallops, showed a little more pace. I wanted to show off and catch the judge’s eye a little bit,” said Vale.

Although the win was a true team effort, Vale gave all the credit to his four legged partner, “He made it through four rounds cleanly and the rounds were smooth and consistent. We never really batted an eye. He’s the best jumper in the class so over four rounds that really showed.”

“We saved this horse for a year, to come back here and do this again,” added Stewart. “And with the best rider I could find in the world, and it paid off. You have to be patient and play your cards right.”

Margot Peroni and Orlon Win Platinum Performance $250,000 Hunter Prix Final at HITS Championship

Proving perseverance pays off, and moving up from twenty-fifth place in 2014 to first in 2015, Margot Peroni of Califon, New Jersey, and her own Orlon, emerged triumphant in the four-round Platinum Performance $250,000 Hunter Prix Final, taking home a $75,000 share of the prize purse.

(C) ESI Photography. Margot Peroni and Orlon
(C) ESI Photography. Margot Peroni and Orlon

After Friday’s two preliminary rounds, over a course designed by Rian Beals, the top 25 competitors moved on to Saturday’s two round challenge. All of the riders were hungry for a win, but only the top four would return for one last go at the course.

First of four in the order was Oliva Hellman aboard Sabrina Hellman’s Woodstock and they cruised through the course to receive scores of 85 and 82, for a total of 167 and 333 overall. Next it was Jacquelyn Maggiore’s turn, riding her own Contina. Having received scores in the mid-eighties in the previous rounds, the final round proved to be tricky for them, leaving with scores of 73 and 75 for a round total of 148 and 315 overall, for fourth.
Kimberly Maloomian and Invincible, owned by Ellen Toon, were third in the order and besting the two prior trips, they took the lead with scores of 82 and 87, totaling 169 and 339 overall.

The final trip of the day belonged to Peroni, who didn’t make the final four in 2014 due to Orlon’s green moment. But now, one year later, they were ready to take the final.

“Kimberly was on Invincible and I knew they were going to be hard to beat. She’s an incredible rider and he’s a great horse,” said Peroni. “Going into the last round, I looked at my trainer and we said ‘Whatever happens now is just icing on the cake; we’re going to go have fun.’”

“I saw the end of Kim’s round, and her scores came in and they were good but they weren’t what I know Kim can do, so I knew we had a shot at winning,” she continued.

Peroni gave it her all and delivered more than a smooth round – she gave an exceptional performance for scores of 87 and 87, totaling 171, 343.5 overall and the win.

“I thought that she had a wonderful rhythm and pace going. She never deviated from it. I just thought her horse jumped so well,” said Judge Jimmy Lee.

“This is a dream come true,” she said. “For me, for somebody that tries to make this sport work on a budget, this class is incredible. To have someone offer a class like this, with that much money, is huge. It’s going to make things a lot easier going forward.”

“I like that Tom has kept the traditional judging format which allows the judges really reward the classic, traditional hunter round. I think that is very important,” added Lee.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS: join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • Media_Info@HitsShows.com • HitsShows.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Classic Company, Show Jumping

E.S. Finou 4 and Vale Capture the $35,000 Classic Grand Prix at Week II Atlanta Summer Classics

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Equi-Sport, LLC’s E.S. Finou 4 and Vale fly over a jump in the Olympic Arena yesterday on their way to the winner’s circle.

Atlanta was jumping last night when the $35,000 Classic Company Grand Prix, presented by EMO, took to the Olympic Arena before a sold out VIP tent and a spectator lined arena.

The course was designed by notable Olympic Course Designer Steve Stephens of Palmetto, Florida. Stephens is a USEF licensed hunter course designer, 4* FEI course designer, R jumper course designer and judge, and acted as the Official Course Designer of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Stephens was a member of the United States Equestrian Team, recipient of the 2011 USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider Course Designer Perpetual Trophy as a designer of the year and also the Official Course Designer for the 2012 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals. Stephens is also certified by the Aachen School of Course Design of Germany.

All eyes were on Aaron Vale of Morriston, Florida for the evening’s $35,000 Classic Company Grand Prix, presented by EMO. Vale has been on a winning streak since arriving at the Atlanta Summer Classics last week and had already won the $15,000 Horseflight Open Welcome, the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derbies both Weeks I and II, as well as the $15,000 Nalley Toyota Stonecrest Welcome. The $35,000 Classic Company Grand Prix, presented by EMO had a field of 19 teams of horse and riders from around the country competing for the win on a challenging course designed by Stephens and the crowd was ready for a great competition.

After a series of four fault rounds, only nine advanced to the jump off phase. Capano Z, owned and ridden by Mauricio Guevara of Colombia, were first to tackle the jump off round after posting a clean first round effort in 77.544 seconds, within the 86 seconds time allowed. The team had three rails in their jump off round costing them twelve jump faults in a time of 45.616 seconds. Capano Z and Guevara would finish the class ninth overall.

Kyle Dewar of Ocala, Florida in the irons of his own Gomez Van De Withocve followed Guevara and Capano Z in the jump off order and posted a time of 45.646 seconds with four jump faults which earned them an eighth place overall.

Westwind Equine Training Center’s Werner 61, piloted by Haley Gassel of Lenoir City, Tennessee, followed Dewar and posted the first clean round in the jump off with a time of 45.666 seconds, setting the new time to beat. But, with six rides to go, it was still anyone’s class.

Vale and Troy Glaus’ Quidam’s Good Luck, winners of the $15,000 Nalley Toyota Stonecrest Open Welcome, followed Werner 61 and although they were the fastest in the jump off in a time of 41.081 seconds, four faults would see them finish in sixth place overall.

Swagger, owned by Centennial Farm, Inc. and ridden by Deborah Stephens of Palmetto, Florida, followed Vale in the order and posted a clean round in 44.215 seconds which, for the time, put them in the lead and set the new time to beat.

Derek Peterson of Archer, Florida and his own Forgiven followed Stephens and went clean, edging Stephens out of the lead and setting the new time to beat at 41.487 seconds.

Vale and E.S. Finou 4 fly over an oxer in last night's $35,000 Classic Company Grand Prix.
Vale and E.S. Finou 4 fly over an oxer in last night’s $35,000 Classic Company Grand Prix.

Vale and Equi-Sport, LLC’s E.S. Finou 4 followed in the order and rose to the challenge, posting a clean round in a time of 41.108 seconds, taking the lead.

Karl Beyer’s Blixem, ridden by Megan Wexlar of Reddick, Florida, were next to go, but with four faults in a time of 43.84 seconds, would finish in seventh place overall.

Katherine Dewar of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin and her own Spitfire W sat in the enviable last to go spot in the order. Despite posting a clean round, their time of 41.497 would see them collect third place while Vale and E.S. Finou 4 took the win followed by Petersen and Forgiven in second.

“This was a very exciting class and the crowd loved it,” commented Bob Bell, President of Classic Company. “Our VIP tent has been well-received by the competitors and our sponsors and we all enjoyed great competition this evening,” he added.

The Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at classiccompany.com or call them at 843-768-5503.

All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director at lisa@classiccompany.com.

Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!

See you at the ring,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd.
www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311 Johns Island SC 29457

*Featured/Spotlights, Classic Company, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Vale Continues Winning Streak

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Vale and Quidam’s Good Luck fly over an oxer on their way to the win in the $15,000 Nalley Toyota Stonecrest Open Welcome Week II at the Atlanta Summer Classics.

Atlanta Summer Classic Week II Welcome and National Derby Results

What a week at the Atlanta Summer Classics! Big numbers in both the hunter and jumper divisions and sold out attendance in the VIP tent has set the back drop for non-stop show jumping competition at the home of the 1996 Olympic Games at the Georgia International Horse Park.

Week II heated up Thursday when the Nalley Toyota Stonecrest $15,000 Open Welcome took to the Olympic Stadium when a field of twenty-four horse and rider teams battled it out on a course designed by International Course Designer, Steve Stephens.

Stephens is one of the world’s most well-known designers and acted as the Official Course Designer of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Only nine went clean in their first round effort and Aaron Vale of Morriston, Florida led the pack in the irons of Sarah Turner’s Acolina R. After posting a clean first round in a time of 68.75 seconds, well within the 76 seconds time allowed, Acolina R and Vale went on to jump a clean second round in a time of 39.128 seconds beating the time allowed of 44 seconds.

Eliza, owned by Kyle Dewar and ridden by Katherine Dewar of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, turned in a clean first and second round in times of 70.014 seconds and 41.957 seconds, respectively which had them following Vale and Acolina R on the scorecard.

Vale had the next clean round with his second ride in the class, Troy Glaus’ Quidam’s Good Luck in a time of 72.197 seconds. Their clean second round in a time of 37.310 seconds put them in the lead and set the new time to beat.

Haley Gassel of Lenoir City, Tennessee in the irons of Westwind Equine Training Center’s Quite Dark 2 followed Vale with a clean first round time of 72.004 seconds, but with four jump faults in their second round in a time of 39.049 would finish in sixth place overall.

Bowers Cone of Collierville, Tennessee and Bowers Cone, LLC’s VIP Quality Royale was the next to post a clean first round in a time of 73.328 seconds. But their second round in a time of 38.860 seconds and no jump faults wasn’t fast enough to beat Vale and Quidam’s Good Luck, so the pair settled for second position.

Vale followed Cone with Bonzini S, owned by Thinks Like a Horse Farm and turned in a clean first round effort in a time of 70.793 seconds. Four faults in their jump off round in a time of 39.381 seconds would see the pair finish in seventh overall.

Deborah Stephens of Palmetto, Florida and Centennial Farm Inc.’s Swagger were next to go and turned in a clean first round effort in 70.812 seconds. Four faults in their second round with a time of 38.069 seconds would see them take the fifth place ribbon overall.

Vale returned with the next clean first round effort in the irons of Equi-Sport LLC’s E.S. Finou 4 in a time of 73.600 seconds. But eight jump faults in a time of 36.481 seconds in their second round would find the pair finish in eighth place overall.

Last in the order and the final clean first round of the class was Gassel and Westwind Equine Training Center’s Werner 61 who finished it in 68.485 seconds. However, eight jump faults in a time of 38.593 seconds would find them out of the ribbons.

Final results had Vale take the win with Glaus’ Quidam’s Good Luck as well as third, seventh and eighth place ribbons in the irons of Acolina R, Bonzini S and E.S. Finou 4. Cone and Bowers Cone, LLC’s VIP Quality Royale held second place while Katherine Dewar and Eliza received fourth.

Dress Balou, piloted by Vale, won the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby yesterday.
Dress Balou, piloted by Vale, won the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby.

Vale continued his winning streak Friday in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, besting a field of thirty three horse and rider teams taking both the first and second place ribbons with Donald Stewart’s Dress Balou and Fairfield Farms, LLC’s Just Sayin.

L’Esperado, owned by Amber Hill Farm and ridden by Emma Mandarino from Bedminster, New Jersey, earned third place while Susan Friedland’s Cape Capital, ridden by Lauren Kissel of Canton, Georgia, took fourth place honors. Fifth was awarded to Chrystalle, owned by Audrey Gallagher and ridden by Abigail Dubose of Alpharetta, Georgia, won sixth place while Benetton, owned and ridden by Dubose, took seventh place. Eighth was awarded to Winter White, owned and ridden by Elizabeth Stork of Dallas, Texas. Ninth place went to Mythbuster, owned and ridden by Julie Curtin of Roswell, Georgia, and tenth was awarded to Mandolin, owned by Lynn Laird and ridden by Daniel Geitner of Aiken, South Carolina. Eleventh and twelfth places were awarded to Wendel We Go, owned by Wendel We Go, LLC and ridden by Savannah Russell of Cumming, Georgia, and Lee Cessery’s Swagger, ridden by Nashea Rowland of Jacksonville, Florida, respectively.

Vale has been unstoppable since arriving at the Atlanta Summer Classics. As winner of Week I and II’s Open Welcome, USHJA National Hunter Derbies and last week’s $35,000 Regions Private Wealth Management Grand Prix, all eyes will be on him for tonight’s $35,000 Classic Grand Prix, presented by EMO.

The Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at classiccompany.com or call them at 843-768-5503.

All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director at lisa@classiccompany.com.

Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!

See you at the ring,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd.
www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311 Johns Island SC 29457

*Featured/Spotlights, Classic Company, Show Jumping

Vale Wins $35,000 Outback Steakhouse Grand Prix at Atlanta Summer Classic

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Vale and Acolina R fly over a jump last night in the $35,000 Outback Steakhouse Grand Prix in the Olympic Arena.

Aaron Vale of Morriston, Florida has been unstoppable Week I of the Atlanta Summer Classic and last night’s win in the $35,000 Outback Steakhouse Grand Prix added to his earnings!

International Course Designer, Manuel Esparza of Mexico City, Mexico, former Assistant Designer for the Olympic Games in Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing in 2008, designed the course and set the first round time allowed at 92 seconds. “The jumps were max height national level and there was plenty of size to them,” commented Vale. “When we were walking the course, we all agreed they were definitely big,” he added.

Vale had four mounts in the class and the first horse to go clean was Vale’s own Bonzini S. “Bonzini is just beginning in the grand prix. He’s super talented but just ‘under-milaged’ as a nine year old. He really had a beautiful trip in the first round,” said Vale. Vale and Bonzini S went fault free in a time of 88.389 seconds.

Mauricio Guevara from Bogota, Colombia in the irons of his own Capano Z was the next horse and rider pair to turn in a fault free round in a time of 91.821 seconds, insuring a jump off to the crowd’s delight.

Haley Gassel of Lenoir, Tennessee aboard Westwind Equine Training Center’s Quite Dark 2 turned in the next clean round in a time of 86.411 seconds and was slated to join the others in the jump off.

Vale and Acolina R sail over an oxer.
Vale and Acolina R sail over an oxer.

Vale returned with Sarah Turner’s Acolina R as the last horse in the first round and the final clean round in a time of 90.010 seconds. The crowd knew it was going to be an exciting jump off round!

Vale is considered to be one of the top grand prix riders in the country. He currently holds the records for most grand prix wins in a year, most double clear rounds in a year, and most money won in a year. He has had the opportunity to represent the United State Equestrian Team on European Tours, and was the winner of the Rikstoto Grand Prix in Norway and the Queens Cup in Barcelona, Spain. He won the first Peca Elendom Trophy Drammen in Norway and was also a part of the winning Nations Cup Team at the CSIO in Drammen, Norway.

Vale and Bonzini S were first to go in the abbreviated course which included a gallop option over the Nalley Toyota Stonecrest bank.

Vale galloped Bonzini S through the first obstacles in the jump off as well as over the Nalley Toyota Stonecrest bank. “There was plenty of room; Manuel designed it like that,” said Vale. Bonzini almost went clean but took a rail at fence nine. “I must have done something wrong,” said Vale. “I couldn’t believe he had it down. Maybe I was a little far behind after that roll back, but I thought he was spot on,” he added. Vale and Bonzini finished the jump off round in 39.900 seconds and four jump faults.

Guevara and his own Capano Z were next to go. With a rail at the second fence, the pair would finish with four faults in a time of 46.451 seconds.

Gassel and Quite Dark 2 followed but also had a rail at fence nine. With four faults in a time of 38.971 seconds, they took the lead as the fastest of the four fault rounds.

Vale sat in the enviable last to go slot with Acolina R. “My strategy with her was that I hoped to be fast enough to win but when she had a stutter step across the bank, I decided to go for a slow clear,” said Vale. Vale galloped through the timers in a time of 43.376 seconds with the only clean round, winning the class.

“I’ve been riding Acolina for about a year now. She’s hot and fiery but we are working on her consistency,” said Vale. “She had some real good classes this week. She was third in the Welcome on Thursday and she won last night,” he added. “I’ve had a great week here in Atlanta,” he added.

As the fastest of the four-faulters, Haley Gassel and Westwind Equine Training Center’s Quite Dark 2 took second place and Vale returned with his own Bonzini S for third. Fourth was awarded to Guevara and his own Capano Z and Karen Dewar of Ocala, Florida and her own Spitfire W took fifth place after turning in a first round effort in 92.687 seconds with one time fault. Sixth place was awarded to Derek Petersen of Archer, Florida and his own Forgiven who finished their first round in a time of 83.341 seconds with four jump faults. Vale returned for seventh place in the irons of Troy Glaus’ Quidam’s Good Luck after posting a first round time in 88.578 seconds with four jump faults and Kyle Dewar of Ocala, Florida and his own Gomez Van De Withoeve were awarded eighth after turning in a first round time in 91.609 seconds with four jump faults.

Vale came back for ninth place with Equi-Sport, LLC’s E.S. Finou 4 after posting a time of 88.155 seconds with eight jump faults and tenth was awarded to Karl Beyer’s Blixem, ridden by Megan Wexler of Reddick, Florida, after they turned in a first round effort in 90.239 seconds with eight jump faults and two time faults. Colleen Acosta of Roanoke, Texas and Anastasia Stewart’s Diamond were awarded eleventh place and twelfth went to Ri Arm Farm’s Fair Enough, ridden by Michael Kocher of Tryon, North Carolina.

  • Friday, June 19: $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
  • Saturday, June 20: $35,000 Atlanta Summer Classic Grand Prix, presented by EMO

VIP opens at 6:30 pm. Tables of 8 are $450 per week and a cash bar is available each week. Be sure to see the office and purchase your table now for the best views, meals and events at the Atlanta Summer Classic. For those on the run, feel free to call Grace at 843.786.5503 to reserve your table.

The Atlanta Summer Classic is the first stop on the Great Magnolia Show Jumping Tour which combines three show-destination circuits. The Olympic spirit of the Atlanta Summer Classic, Brownland Farm’s pastoral venue in close proximity to America’s music scene in Nashville, Tennessee and the show-cation destination of the Charleston Summer Classic on Johns Island, South Carolina make up the Tour that offers more!

The Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at classiccompany.com or call them at 843-768-5503.

All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director at lisa@classiccompany.com.

Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!

See you at the ring,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd.
www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311 Johns Island SC 29457

Classic Company, Competitions, Show Jumping

Friday Night Fun Week I at the Atlanta Summer Classic

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Miguel Ventura and Helen fly over the final fence in last night’s $10,000 Six Bar Class.

The entire show grounds packed the VIP tent and the stone walls surrounding the Olympic Arena last night as the second annual $10,000 Six Bar Class, presented by Regions Private Wealth Management, took center stage.

A field of fourteen horse and rider teams took to the series of six jumps which began at a height of 1.20 meters (3’11”). After two rounds the six fences were reduced to a series of four fences and after four rounds, were raised to a final fence height of 1.70 meters (5’7″). Only seven horses advanced to the final stage.

Courtney Osborne of Marietta, Georgia and Roger Seitzmeir’s Hibiscus were the first to tackle the final round and had a heartbreak rail at the final fence. Glenn Hartigan of Alpharetta, Georgia was next to go in the irons of Phyllis Hines’ Ace of Spies. The heartbreak rail at the final fence had them tied with Osborne and Hibiscus.

Michael Kocher of Tryon, North Carolina was next to challenge the four jumps in the irons of Judith Habeeb’s Secretive. However, a rail at the third fence with four jump faults had him tying with Osborne and Hartigan.

Lizzie Van Der Walde from Ann Arbor, Michigan and Anne Gardner’s Zippo Ii were next to go. However, after a rail at the third fence and refusal at the fourth, they elected to retire.

Richard Matthews of Odessa, Florida and Sheetal Patel’s No Doubt Vt followed Van Der Walde, but had rails at fence three and four.

Aaron Vale and Okla Homa go clean over the final fence, tying for first place
Aaron Vale and Okla Homa go clean over the final fence, tying for first place

Aaron Vale of Morriston, Florida in the irons of Donald Stewart’s Okla Homa were next to go and the first to go clean to the delight of the crowd!

Miguel Ventura of Murfreesboro, Tennessee and Allison Ventura’s Helen were the last to go in the class and also turned in a clean round! The packed VIP tent and arena walls lined with spectators erupted with cheers!

“The Six Bar Class was very exciting and a competition that everyone can understand. The crowd was really on the edge of their seats. For many, it was the first time they have seen such a class,” commented Bell. “It was especially great to have our sponsors Regions Private Wealth Management with us to experience this well-loved, exciting event,” he added.

“To run this event in conjunction with the Annual Outback Steakhouse Dinner to benefit the Hope Clinic is fantastic. This is such a great charity and we are thrilled that we can partner with them in their fundraising efforts. Giving back is what true horse people do and I feel that our clientele embodies this sentiment.” Bell believes that philanthropic efforts not only give to worthy organizations, but also give back to the individuals participating in them ‘ten-fold.’ “It feels good to give back to the community,” he said.

The Hope Clinic provides affordable alternatives to the hospital emergency room for the primary care/ internal medicine medical needs of the uninsured in Gwinnett County, Georgia. The Hope Clinic was founded on March 29, 2002 by Dr. William Martin. After 30 years of practicing internal medicine in Gwinnett County, Dr. William Martin was seeing a trend he couldn’t ignore – an ever-growing number of needy patients falling through the cracks of the medical system.

The Hope Clinic’s mission is to provide the very highest quality of medical care to those with limited or no access to healthcare and to treat each patient with the utmost respect and kindness without regard to language, national origin, or ability to pay.

A total of 3,159 patients were served in 2014. Total visits provided by the Hope Clinic in 2014 were 7,538. 56% of all patients are female with 46% of Hope’s patients being Female Head of Household. 17.3% of the Hope Clinic’s female patients are totally dependent on others for food, shelter and clothing and considered indigent. Services include Chronic Care Management for those suffering multiple diagnosis, mental health care, well-women care and acute care. The Hope Clinic’s goal is to provide a medical home to those who need it the most.

The Outback Steakhouse Charity dinner raises approximately $30,000 each year towards the Hope Clinic’s mission to provide services to the uninsured and indigent of Metro Atlanta through sponsorships and ticket sales.

  • Saturday, June 13: $35,000 Outback Steakhouse Grand Prix
  • Friday, June 19: $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
  • Saturday, June 20: $35,000 Atlanta Summer Classic Grand Prix, presented by EMO

VIP opens at 6:30 pm. Tables of 8 are $450 per week and a cash bar is available each week. Be sure to see the office and purchase your table now for the best views, meals and events at the Atlanta Summer Classic. For those on the run, feel free to call Grace at 843.786.5503 to reserve your table.

The Atlanta Summer Classic is the first stop on the Great Magnolia Show Jumping Tour which combines three show-destination circuits. The Olympic spirit of the Atlanta Summer Classic, Brownland Farm’s pastoral venue in close proximity to America’s music scene in Nashville, Tennessee and the show-cation destination of the Charleston Summer Classic on Johns Island, South Carolina make up the Tour that offers more!

The Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at classiccompany.com or call them at 843-768-5503.

All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director at lisa@classiccompany.com.

Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!

See you at the ring,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd.
www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311 Johns Island SC 29457

*Featured/Spotlights, Classic Company, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Vale Kicks Off Week I of the Atlanta Summer Classic on a Winning Streak

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Vale pilots E.S. Finou 4 over an obstacle in the Olympic Arena in the Horseflight Open Welcome Thursday.

Aaron Vale of Williston, Florida and Thinks Like a Horse Farm started the opening week of the Atlanta Summer Classic on a winning streak after securing wins in both the $15,000 Horseflight Open Welcome and the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby and won the Kastel Denmark Style of Hunter Riding Award.

Thursday’s $15,000 Horseflight Open Welcome saw 21 horse and rider teams compete for the cash in the Olympic Arena over a course designed by Manuel Esparza of Mexico City, Mexico. The first round time was set at 79 seconds and only six turned in clean first rounds.

Aaron Vale of Morriston, Florida and Sarah Turner’s Acolina R were second to go in the class and the first to go clean in a time of 70.307 seconds. Their second round effort in a time of 41.442 seconds was also clean and well within the time allowed of 57 seconds which put them in the lead. But with 19 to follow, it was still anyone’s class.

Michael Kocher of Tryon, North Carolina and Ri Arm Farm’s Fair Enough were the next pair to turn in a clean first round in a time of 73.824 seconds. Their second round effort resulted in four jump faults in a time of 46.896 and would see them finish in fifth place overall.

Mauricio Guevara of Bogota, Colombia and his own Capano Z were the next pair to go fault-free in their first round and second rounds in times of 76.044 and 45.960 seconds, respectively, which put them in contention for a ribbon.

Colleen Acosta from Roanoke, Texas and Anastasia Stewart’s Diamond were the next to turn in a clean first round in a time of 73.002 seconds. Eight jump faults in their second round in a time of 53.664 seconds, would see them finish in sixth place overall.

Forgiven, owned and ridden by Derek Petersen of Archer, Florida, was next to turn in double clear rounds in times of 69.798 and 39.434 seconds, respectively, which put them into the lead.

Equi-Sport LLC’s E.S. Finou 4, piloted by Vale, was the next and final pair to turn in double clean rounds in times of 69.301 and 39.050 seconds, respectively, taking the lead away from Petersen.

The class wrapped up with Vale and E.S. Finou 4 taking the win followed by Petersen and Forgiven in second. Vale returned for thirds with Sarah Turner’s Acolina R and fourth place went to Guevara and his own Capano Z. Kocher and Ri Arm Farm’s Fair Enough secured fifth place and Acosta and Anastasia Stewart’s Diamond took home the sixth place ribbon.

Seventh was awarded to Quidam’s Good Luck, owned by Troy Glaus and ridden by Vale, while eighth place was awarded to Haley Gassel of Lenoir City, Tennessee in the irons of Westwind Equine Training Center’s Quite Dark 2.

Vale and Dress Balou won the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby Friday
Vale and Dress Balou won the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby Friday

Vale continued his winning streak right into Friday when he captured the win in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby in the irons of Donald Stewart’s Dress Balou with a first and second round total score of 179.

Ashton Alexander rode Stewart’s Cold Case to a second place finish with a combined score of 176.5 and followed with a third in the irons of Mindy Whitman’s Carmo after earning a combined score of 173. Daniel Geitner rode Brenda Mackay’s Champagne to fourth place honors with a combined score of 171.5 and Vale returned for fifth place with Fairfield Farm LLC’s Just Sayin with a combined score of 171. Alexander came back for a sixth place ribbon this time aboard Stewart’s Lilly Wood with a combined score of 168 and Elizabeth Boyd rode Tracey London’s Smile to seventh place honors with a combined score of 167.5. Liddy Strickland wrapped up the class with Wendy Arndt’s Valentine with an eighth place and a combined score of 167.

  • Saturday, June 13: $35,000 Outback Steakhouse Grand Prix
  • Friday, June 19: $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
  • Saturday, June 20: $35,000 Atlanta Summer Classic Grand Prix, presented by EMO

VIP opens at 6:30 pm. Tables of 8 are $450 per week and a cash bar is available each week. Be sure to see the office and purchase your table now for the best views, meals and events at the Atlanta Summer Classic. For those on the run, feel free to call Grace at 843.786.5503 to reserve your table.

The Atlanta Summer Classic is the first stop on the Great Magnolia Show Jumping Tour which combines three show-destination circuits. The Olympic spirit of the Atlanta Summer Classic, Brownland Farm’s pastoral venue in close proximity to America’s music scene in Nashville, Tennessee and the show-cation destination of the Charleston Summer Classic on Johns Island, South Carolina make up the Tour that offers more!

The Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at classiccompany.com or call them at 843-768-5503.

All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director at lisa@classiccompany.com.

Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!

See you at the ring,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd.
www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311 Johns Island SC 29457

Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Déjà Vu for Vale and Quidam’s Good Luck, Winning $127,000 Hollow Creek Farms Grand Prix CSI3*

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Aaron Vale and Quidam’s Good Luck (Photo by Shawn McMillen)

Lexington, KY – May 16, 2015 – It was not chance tonight that secured the victory for Aaron Vale (USA) and Quidam’s Good Luck during the $127,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI3*. Tonight, it came down to raw speed and power. Vale bested a field of 41 competitors during the highlight event, claiming his second consecutive Saturday night victory with a blazing jump off ride, breaking the beam in 40.96 seconds.

Thirteen horse and rider combinations were able to master Bernardo Costa Cabral’s opening course, moving into a jump-off that would rival the day’s earlier Preakness Stakes.

Margie Engle (USA) and Royce, owned by Elm Rock Partners LLC of Wellington, FL, were the first to clear the serpentine of seven obstacles. As only the second to take on the shortened track, Engle knew that she had some of the sport’s fastest riders hot on her heels. Engle stopped the clock in 44.770 seconds with the hopes of putting enough pressure on the consecutive riders for rails to fall in an attempt to catch her pace.

Todd Minikus (USA) and Quality Girl, owned by the Quality Group of Loxahatchee, FL, entered the ring two rounds later with his eye on the prize. He executed a textbook jump-off course, posting a time of 41.180 seconds, but a rail at the final oxer would cost him the victory.

Abigail McArdle (USA), a young rider known for her speed and consistency, rode Cade, owned by David McArdle, to a clean round just ahead of Engle in 44.08 seconds. Her lead would not hold long as Scott Keach (AUS) tripped the timers two seconds quicker with Fedor, owned by Southern Cross Equestrian of Reddick, FL, landing from the final obstacle in a clear 42.09 seconds.

Vale was next in the ring with Quidam’s Good Luck, and knew that he could leave nothing to chance. They dashed to the second obstacle of the course, a double combination in a speedy nine strides to shave the seconds, and compensate for the additional stride in Vale’s plan to be cautious at a tricky vertical set in the middle of the ring.

As soon as they landed from the vertical, at a 19-second pace, it was down to the wire, using the open space to the oxer to cover the ground. They made a tight left rollback to the signature sponsor fence of the class, the Hollow Creek Farms vertical, and raced for the final distance to jump the last fence of the class and trip the timers in 40.960 seconds.

Vale said, “I used his Thoroughbred quickness and hit the gas and made him run down to the oxer on the end. I wasn’t looking at the clock – sometimes you can look at the clock, but tonight there wasn’t enough time to do that. I caught a good spot there, and just wanted to make sure I didn’t do something too stupid at the last fence. About halfway down the line I could tell I was in a spot that he could jump it from.”

The only remaining rider to challenge Vale’s time was the 18-year-old Eugenio Garza (MEX) with Bariano. Richie Moloney (IRL) put in a more conservative clean round in 44.67 seconds with Carrabis Z, owned by Equinimity LLC of Wellington, FL, but Garza did not hesitate to go for the time.

“You scared me there,” Vale said to the young rider shortly after the end of the class. Garza was able to claim the second place just behind Vale in 41.280 seconds, only a 3/10ths of a second differential.

Eugenio Garza and Carrabis Z
Eugenio Garza and Carrabis Z

Garza said, “Honestly, we saw Aaron go, and as always, he is incredibly fast, so I thought, ‘Why not? We will try to get it.’ We had so much fun out there. My horse jumped unbelievable; I couldn’t have asked more from Bariano. He really gave it his all, and I had a blast out there, I really did.”

“I heard the spectators; it is hard not to lose your head a little bit; I have before,” Garza laughed. “I saw Aaron go, and he was very fast. We did 10 strides to the double and then we caught a very nice one off of the vertical. From there, we really just pushed and went for it; it really all flowed together. We had really good distances. I think it is just that Aaron is very fast. He has years of experience, and hopefully one day we can catch him.”

The $127,000 Hollow Creek Farms Grand Prix CSI3* earmarks a page in history for the Kentucky Spring Classic, as it is the largest grand prix earnings offered during the series. Tonight marks Vale’s second consecutive Saturday night victory, earning valuable Longines Rider Ranking points for the pair.

Vale concluded, “I am just thrilled that the horse went so well; it is nice to do it in back-to-back weeks. It has been a great two weeks of jumping here. He has had a super two weeks, and my other horses have made progression to be able to do this. The whole barn has done really well. It has been a great Kentucky.”

The Kentucky Spring Classic will conclude tomorrow with the $50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix, which will count for the valuable points earned towards the USEF Ranking List.

For more information about the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Kentucky Horse Shows 2015 Horse Show Series Fast Facts

Events: 2015 Kentucky Spring Horse Shows

What:
The Kentucky Horse Shows 2014 series includes two weeks of top hunter/jumper competitions during the month of May. The Kentucky Horse Show Series is the host of the Hagyard Challenge Series and Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series.

Where:
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, home to the United States Equestrian Federation.

When:
KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOW – May 6-10, 2015
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI2*
$85,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI2*
$25,000 Bluegrass Classic
$25,000 U25 Classic
$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
WCHR Recognized Hunter Competition

KENTUCKY SPRING CLASSIC – May 13-17, 2015
$34,000 Welcome Speed CSI3*
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*
$127,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI3*
$50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix
$20,000 Bluegrass Classic
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Hollow Creek Farm, Audi of Lexington, Sleepy P Ranch, CWD, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance, Take2 Thoroughbred Program and the Official Hotel The Clarion.

Hours:
8am – 5pm daily

Parking:
Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $15.00. Dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash.

Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located 8 miles northeast of Lexington, Kentucky at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.

Information:
Before Show – (859) 233-0492, Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show – Telephone: (859) 254-3343, Fax: (859) 231-6097
Stabling – Email Tom Blankenship at tomblank@bellsouth.net
Stable office – Before Show: (843) 269-4737, During Show: (859) 255-0605
Prize List Advertising – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Vendors – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Shownet – www.shownet.biz

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.

Hotels:

CLARION HOTEL (Formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859-233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles (OFFICIAL HOTEL)
Discover the place where elegant comfort in an ideal location meets excellent service and affordability. At the Clarion Hotel Lexington, you’ll find well-appointed accommodations with options of double/doubles, double queens, king rooms or suites, exceptional amenities such as our free hot breakfast buffet, and Southern hospitality at its finest. The best hotel for Keeneland – located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region – home of the Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington Convention Center, University of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – our Lexington hotel is on Newtown Pike at Exit 115 on I-75, close to all the big attractions, and is the perfect place to stay whether you’re here to get down to business or have some fun. Best of all, bring your furry friends for any trip because the Clarion Hotel in Lexington is also pet-friendly.

CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS:
Reservations may not be made through the Horse Show office. To reserve a campsite at the Kentucky Horse Park for any of the horse shows, please call the Campground store at (800) 370-6416 or 859-259-4157 or email Sherry Logan at sherryd.logan@ky.gov. Be specific as to the show name and the dates you wish to stay. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. and check-out is 12:00 noon. You must make arrangements with the Campground store if you plan to arrive earlier than 2:00 p.m. or stay later than 12:00 noon. Vehicles that are not removed from a campsite by check-out time will be towed.

Management:
Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC
P. O. Box 11428
Lexington, KY 40575-1428
859-233-0492 (phone)
859-233-0495 (fax)
email: hakshows@earthlink.net
website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

Competitions, Kentucky Horse Shows, Show Jumping

Aaron Vale and Quidam’s Good Luck Dash to Victory in $85,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix

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Aaron Vale and Quidam’s Good Luck.

Lexington, KY – May 9, 2015 – Capturing the first place finish was no easy feat during Saturday night’s $85,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington. Forty-four starters contended for the lion’s share of the earnings in the FEI CSI2* event, but when nine qualified for the jump-off, it came down to the wire. Besting the clock and the short course was Aaron Vale aboard Quidam’s Good Luck, tripping the timers in 37.800 seconds for the first place finish. Charlie Jayne and Valeska followed closely in second with a clear effort in 39.29 seconds, while Andrew Welles and Boo van het Kastanjehof earned the third place in 39.610 seconds.

Richard Jeffery of Bournemouth, England set an inviting course for the CSI2* event at the Kentucky Horse Park. The first round included an open water option, a vertical-oxer double combination, and a tricky oxer-vertical-oxer triple combination. Nine were able to traverse the track and advance to the jump-off, where speed and accuracy could not be compensated in the attempt to win.

Eventual winner Aaron Vale said of the course, “Richard [Jeffery] is a master. I know he could only build to 1.45m specs, so his hands were tied a little bit, but he did a beautiful job with this class, as well as the Hagyard Classic on Thursday. I had just a green rail the other night with Quidam, but it was probably a blessing that I didn’t go in that jump-off. Everything works out the way it is supposed to. I may not have had the brain available tonight that I did for this class had I made it into that jump-off. We got the bigger purse, so it all worked out for us.”

Only four of the nine were able to ride both courses without fault. Jayne was second in the order to return, and set the pace at a speedy 39.29 seconds as he broke the beam with no faults.

Jayne said, “I thought Richard Jeffery did a great job tonight with the 2* specs of making it a horseman’s course, a rider’s course. There were a lot of options, and it was really about knowing your horse. I thought it was very technical in that aspect. Most of the options today you had a water, skinny, a liverpool, a hedge oxer underneath, so you had basically all the tools out there, and I thought he did a great job and had the right number clear.”

Andrew Welles was hot on Jayne’s heels, riding Boo van het Kastanjehof to a fault-free round in 39.61 seconds. Just a nickel off Jayne’s pace, it seemed as though with only three left to go that victory was in sight, yet Aaron Vale and Quidam’s Good Luck were in it for the win, leaving no stone unturned.

Charlie Jayne and Valeska
Charlie Jayne and Valeska

Jayne said, “It’s a little tough, the position that I drew going second in the jump-off out of nine. The footing is so fantastic here; we can really pick up some speed, and the class got quicker and quicker. I knew I needed a little luck on my side, but I thought she jumped fantastic. If anything, maybe at the end I took it a little conservative, and that’s where I could have made up the second and a half that Aaron caught me.”

Vale caught a good first fence, heading forward through the opening line where he stuck to the nine strides that Charlie did, finding a deep distance. After landing from the oxer, he did a very fast and long five strides to the vertical, clearing the line and gaining enough momentum to have spectators on the edge of their seats as he more than a second ahead of Jayne’s pace. He was able to clear the final efforts in 37.800 seconds, setting an untouchable time.

“We didn’t come to canter around and look pretty; we were in it to win,” Vale said. “I knew Charlie has a quick time tonight, and that he got everything the way he wanted for it to appear. The only thing: I got kind of tricked. I thought when I was walking the course that I could get eight strides from one to two when I watched Charlie go, but somebody dissuaded me from that decision. I had a lot of momentum after doing the long five, and he is a thoroughbred-like galloper with a lot of foot speed. I could have done eight, it would have been smoother, but the momentum I had out of the five carried me over the next jumps. I had to get going. The big share of the prize money goes for first, so usually I like to try for that portion if it is possible.”

Quidam’s Good Luck is a 9-year-old who still has a few green moments, but Vale said that when the jumps stay in their cups, he can usually win the class. With the added FEI CSI2* events, his knack for clearing rounds with speed is proving useful. Vale plans on staying through the Kentucky Spring Classic where he will compete with his string of mounts in the CSI3* events.

“This is how the sport is going,” Vale said. “With the influx of foreigners, the way the world ranking list is working, I think that this is going to stick here in Lexington. There is enough depth of people who need it. It looks like there is enough support.”

Jayne agreed with Vale’s sentiments. “It’s fantastic having the FEI competition reinstated in Lexington. You know, going from last year at this time, where we had no FEI shows, to now competing in five weeks consecutive weeks of FEI events, you can’t beat that. Now we have the opportunity to stay in North America-I’m not planning on going to Europe this summer, there are options now. I just thank the Kentucky staff. I think this is great for the organizers and the riders; it was a win-win situation. A lot of new riders came here this year for FEI, and I’ve only heard good things.”

Juan Ortiz aboard D’Ulein van de Smeets and Jorge Matte with Perle du Marisas were the only others to jump double-clear, completing the night in the fourth and fifth place, respectively. Sixth place was awarded to Margie Engle and Royce, the fastest of the four-faulters.

The grand prix was held in memory of the late Mary Rena Murphy, one of the horse industries’ most influential people. She worked diligently to promote the Kentucky Horse Park and was a big influence upon the first hunter jumper shows at the venue. Her vision for an exhibitor-friendly competition at a world-class facility helped shape the Kentucky Horse Park into what it has become today.

The Kentucky Spring Horse Show will conclude tomorrow with the $25,000 Bluegrass Classic and the $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix set to start at 8 a.m. in the Rolex Stadium.

For more information about the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Kentucky Horse Shows 2015 Horse Show Series Fast Facts

Events: 2015 Kentucky Spring Horse Shows

What:
The Kentucky Horse Shows 2014 series includes two weeks of top hunter/jumper competitions during the month of May. The Kentucky Horse Show Series is the host of the Hagyard Challenge Series and Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series.

Where:
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, home to the United States Equestrian Federation.

When:
KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOW – May 6-10, 2015
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI2*
$85,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI2*
$25,000 Bluegrass Classic
$25,000 U25 Classic
$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
WCHR Recognized Hunter Competition

KENTUCKY SPRING CLASSIC – May 13-17, 2015
$34,000 Welcome Speed CSI3*
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*
$127,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI3*
$50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix
$20,000 Bluegrass Classic
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Hollow Creek Farm, Audi of Lexington, Sleepy P Ranch, CWD, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance, Take2 Thoroughbred Program and the Official Hotel The Clarion.

Hours:
8am – 5pm daily

Parking:
Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $15.00. Dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash.

Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located 8 miles northeast of Lexington, Kentucky at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.

Information:
Before Show – (859) 233-0492, Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show – Telephone: (859) 254-3343, Fax: (859) 231-6097
Stabling – Email Tom Blankenship at tomblank@bellsouth.net
Stable office – Before Show: (843) 269-4737, During Show: (859) 255-0605
Prize List Advertising – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Vendors – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Shownet – www.shownet.biz

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.

Hotels:

CLARION HOTEL (Formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859-233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles (OFFICIAL HOTEL)
Discover the place where elegant comfort in an ideal location meets excellent service and affordability. At the Clarion Hotel Lexington, you’ll find well-appointed accommodations with options of double/doubles, double queens, king rooms or suites, exceptional amenities such as our free hot breakfast buffet, and Southern hospitality at its finest. The best hotel for Keeneland – located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region – home of the Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington Convention Center, University of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – our Lexington hotel is on Newtown Pike at Exit 115 on I-75, close to all the big attractions, and is the perfect place to stay whether you’re here to get down to business or have some fun. Best of all, bring your furry friends for any trip because the Clarion Hotel in Lexington is also pet-friendly.

CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS:
Reservations may not be made through the Horse Show office. To reserve a campsite at the Kentucky Horse Park for any of the horse shows, please call the Campground store at (800) 370-6416 or 859-259-4157 or email Sherry Logan at sherryd.logan@ky.gov. Be specific as to the show name and the dates you wish to stay. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. and check-out is 12:00 noon. You must make arrangements with the Campground store if you plan to arrive earlier than 2:00 p.m. or stay later than 12:00 noon. Vehicles that are not removed from a campsite by check-out time will be towed.

Management:
Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC
P. O. Box 11428
Lexington, KY 40575-1428
859-233-0492 (phone)
859-233-0495 (fax)
email: hakshows@earthlink.net
website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

HITS, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Aaron Vale, McLain Ward and Ian Millar Top $50,000 Equine Couture/TuffRider Grand Prix

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Aaron Vale and Quidam’s Good Luck. Photo by ESI Photography.

Ocala, FL – January 28, 2015 – Capturing the win in Sunday’s $50,000 Equine Couture/TuffRider Grand Prix at HITS Ocala meant besting an impressive lineup of riders the likes of McLain Ward, Margie Engle, Charlie Jayne, Candice King and Ian Millar. After a quick, double clear effort, Aaron Vale did just that aboard Quidam’s Good Luck, taking home the lion’s share of the prize money sponsored by Equine Couture and TuffRider.

“I know if we leave the jumps up, he’s got a good chance,” Vale said of the 9-year-old bay gelding owned by Troy Glaus. Vale said the horse has a jumping style that’s “fairly extravagant – the way he kicks his hind end up and flicks his tail at the same time.”

Vale, of Williston, Florida, is a HITS Ocala regular, racking up numerous grand prix victories there, but this year the show circuit is attracting a lot more than just the regulars. Both the second and third place finishers, McLain Ward and Ian Millar, made the trip from Wellington, Florida to Ocala to ride in the $50,000 Equine Couture/TuffRider Grand Prix before returning back to the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Ward clinched the second place spot aboard Double H Farm’s HH Ashley, while Millar earned the third place honor riding The Baranus Group’s Baranus.

Equine Couture and TuffRider provide top-of-the-line apparel, footwear and products, and the brands are proud to support top-of-the-line riders. “It’s exciting to be a part of the sport at its highest level,” Equine Couture and TuffRider President Timmy Sharma said. “We look forward to continuing to provide both innovative products and apparel and support for some of the world’s best riders.”

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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