Tag Archives: Abigail Albrecht

Abigail Albrecht and Kelli Cruciotti Score Equitation Victories at Summer in the Rockies

Abigail Albrecht and MTM Flashdance.

Parker, CO – June 13, 2014 – The ASPCA Maclay course set by Scott Starnes in the Olson Family Main Hunter Ring tested riders with various bending lines, a long approach to a substantial oxer, and a tight rollback to an in-and-out. Most challenging for this group of riders were the rollback and the spooky single oxer. Some of the horse and rider combinations struggled with keeping pace through the tight turn. The group was also tested on the flat.

The Washington Hunter and Jumper Phases that ran today also drew quality riders. The Jumper Phase, which ran in the Derby Field, was a test of efficiency while maintaining level-headedness. The bank was incorporated into the course, which was a challenge for some equitation horses. The Hunter Phase then brought the horses back to the perfection of the steady hunter-type ride.

Abigail Albrecht and MTM Flashdance came out on top in the ASPCA Maclay after their jumping round and flat testing. They also earned fifth place overall in the Washington. MTM Flashdance was imported just weeks ago and is already starting off his North American career with style. The gelding, who is owned by MTM Farm, is already proving to be one to watch.

“He is very smart,” said Albrecht. “He thinks so fast and is always on top of his game. He has a great stride and personality, and he is so loving. He doesn’t quite know what he is doing out there yet, so it is a lot of hard work to show him.”

Albrecht has high hopes that her partnership with MTM Flashdance can grow into something great. She has never had a horse that she could take to equitation finals, and she might finally have her ticket to get there.

“It’s just his inexperience we have to work on,” explained Albrecht. “I went to USEF Pony Finals when I was younger, but haven’t gone to an equitation final yet. He probably won’t be ready this year, but I’m hoping for next year. One of my other horses is for sale, and I’m hoping once he sells I can buy MTM Flashdance. I’m hoping to keep this one for a long time.”

MTM Flashdance and Albrecht will continue to show at Sumer in the Rockies to build on the horse’s greenness in the show ring. Trainer Kelly Lorek is helping the pair through the process.

Kelli Cruciotti and Monterrey
Kelli Cruciotti and Monterrey

At the top of the Washington overall standings for today was Kelli Cruciotti. Cruciotti rode Monterrey, her partner at the 2013 ASPCA Maclay Finals where she placed second. Today they received a score of 88 in the Jumper Phase and 77 in the Hunter Phase. These two outstanding scores put 8 points between her and the second place finisher Abigail Weiland.

Monterrey is a favorite for Cruciotti because of heart, opinion, attitude, and presence in the show ring. According to Cruciotti, when she first bought him, he could be difficult at times to get in the ring. But he has now come full circle with his progress.

“He is an awesome horse to be around and work with,” said Cruciotti. “I’m really blessed to be able to ride him. He is a competitor: he expects you to do your job as much as he is going to do it. I’ve had times where I’ve made a mistake and he gets mad. Sometimes it seems like he wants to win more than I do. He has a huge opinion, which I love. His personality in the barn is also hilarious.”

Both phases of the Washington require responsiveness from the horse and effectiveness from the rider. Cruciotti and Monterrey aced this test.

“The different phases are a great test of versatility for the horse,” said Cruciotti. “In the Jumper Phase they have to be neat and tidy and within the time, and the Hunter Phase is more consistency and pace and stride. I like having both, and I love going from ring to ring. It’s a great challenge of versatility. You go up (to the Derby Field) and your adrenaline is running, and then you have to come down (to the Olson Family Main Hunter Ring) and be so calm. The Jumper Phase really suited him – we had to go up and down the banks and hills and he is phenomenal at all that.”

Placing second in the ASPCA Maclay and third overall in the Washington was Jamie Morris with Samsonite. This 15-year-old junior rider has just stepped up to the 3’6″ this year, and she is starting off strong with the help of her trainer Rebecca Johnson. Samsonite is a “been there done that” type of horse with abundant equitation experience. He is leased from Katya Schwab.

“He is really brave about all the jumps, which is very nice,” said Morris. “I feel really confident and safe on him. He is always there for me and is really honest if I make a mistake. I know that he will help save me or get me out of trouble if I need him to, but he’s not just the easy push button horse that does everything you tell him. I’m not just handed the win every time I’ve worked really hard with him. It’s been really fun.”

According to Morris, this is only her third Maclay class ever, and it had the stiffest competition yet. She was very pleased with Samsonite’s performance in both classes today, and is looking forward to seeing where their season leads them.

Leading today in the Junior 3’6″ Hunters are Sophia Depumpo and her horse Limbo. They earned the blue over fences and in the handy, and received second in the hack. This pair is coached by Colleen Acosta, who showed Limbo in the Second Year Green Hunters earlier this week.

Leading in the Junior 3’3″ Hunters are Peroni and Kendall Whitt Peroni is owned by KNW Farms LLC. He was champion of the Pre-Green 3’3″ Hunters this week with Courtney Calcagnini.

The Junior Hunters will finish tomorrow with two over fences classes and a $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic.

Click here for full results from Friday. Visit the Colorado Horse Park’s website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter for updates throughout Summer in the Rockies.

The Colorado Horse Park Summer in the Rockies Fast Facts

What: Summer in the Rockies AA-Rated Hunter Jumper Show Series

Event Dates:

June 4-8 Summer in the Rockies I
June 11-15 Summer in the Rockies II
June 18-22 Summer in the Rockies III*
July 2-6 Summer in the Rockies IV
July 9-13 Summer in the Rockies V*
July 16-20 Summer in the Rockies VI

*WCHR Member Events

Hunter Highlights:

$5,000 National Hunter Derby – Week III
$15,000 International Hunter Derby sponsored by Winsome Farm – Week III
$10,000 National Hunter Derby – Week V
$40,000 International Hunter Derby sponsored by Serenity Farm – Week V

Jumper Highlights:

$25,000 Summer in the Rockies Grand Prix sponsored by Holiday Inn of Parker Grand Prix – Week I
$25,000 Summer in the Rockies Grand Prix sponsored by Littleton Equine Medical and Platinum Performance – Week II
$30,000 Summer in the Rockies Grand Prix sponsored by McElvain Energy – Week III
$30,000 Summer in the Rockies Grand Prix sponsored by Griffis Residential – Week IV
$50,000 Kathy and Brad Coors Family Grand Prix – Week V
$50,000 Parker Adventist Hospital Grand Prix – Week VI
$10,000 High Junior/Amateur Owner Classic sponsored by The Kathy and Brad Coors Family
$20,000 High Junior/Amateur Owner Classic sponsored by The Kathy and Brad Coors Family

Plus:
$10,000 July Grand Prix Rider Bonus for the Leading Grand Prix Rider sponsored by The Kathy and Brad Coors Family – Weeks IV-VI

Prize List:
For a hard copy of the prize list, please e-mail prizelist@cohorsepark.com with your name, address and phone number and specify which prize list you would like (spring/fall or summer).

Entries:
Mail to The Colorado Horse Park, 7522 South Pinery Drive, Parker, CO 80134 or fax to (303) 841-7879. Entries close 30 days before each show.

Contact Information:

Pat Boyle, Show Manager                         (847) 274-6834
Brian Curry, Show Manager                        (303) 918-2908
Show Office                                                 (303) 841-7461
Show Office Fax                                         (303) 841-1419
Colorado Horse Park Main Office               (303) 841-5550
Colorado Horse Park Main Office Fax         (303) 841-7879

Directions:

Address: 7375 E Bayou Gulch Rd, Parker, CO 80134

From North: I-25S exit Ridgegate Parkway – go east under the freeway. Ridgegate Parkway to S. Chambers Road, approx. 3 miles (Traffic light) – turn right/south onto Chambers Road. At end of Chambers Road turn left/east onto Hess Road. Hess Road to Parker Road/Hwy 83 – turn right/south onto Hwy 83 approx. 4 miles to Bayou Gulch Road. (Traffic light). Follow signs to Colorado Horse Park.

From South: I-25N, exit Founder’s Parkway. Founder’s Parkway to Highway 86, approx. 4 miles (traffic light). Turn east/left onto Hwy. 86 to Franktown/Hwy 83. At Franktown go north on 83 approx. 7 mi. to Bayou Gulch Rd. (Traffic light), turn right/east onto Bayou Gulch Rd. Follow signs to Colorado Horse Park.

About the Colorado Horse Park

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, the Colorado Horse Park was founded by visionary Helen Krieble who acknowledged the need for a high-volume horse show and horse boarding facility to serve Colorado. The Colorado Horse Park welcomes more than 75,000 visitors per year and hosts over 40 competitions annually. CHP features a derby arena designed by Olympic-designer Linda Allen and a cross-country course designed by Olympic Gold Medalist David O’Connor and eventing super-star James Atkinson. There are 300 permanent stalls with capacity for more than 1,000 stalls.

The picturesque property, located only minutes from the town of Parker, hosts international equestrian events in multiple disciplines. Visitors enjoy the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountain surroundings and access to miles of trails and open space. The Colorado Horse Park is committed to supporting equestrian education and amateur athletics, preserving open space, fundraising for local charities and supporting the community.

Lauren Buettner for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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