Mill Spring, NC – July 5, 2021 – Abigail McArdle (Wellington, FL) and Victorio 5 conquered the competition in the $25,000 Tryon Resort Sunday Classic at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) to conclude Tryon Summer 3 competition. Kady Abrahamson (Loveland, OH) and Vancouver, the 2009 Westphalian gelding (Valentino x Cocco) owned by Abrahamson Equestrian LLC, collected second-place honors with a time of 40.78 seconds. Rounding off the podium and earning third place was Hector Florentino (Rutherfordton, NC) aboard D’artagnan, the 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Mr. Blue x Tamellie) owned by Santiago Lambre, with a jump-off time of 41.05 seconds and one rail to the floor.
McArdle stopped the jump-off timers after a mere 39.846 seconds to take the win on Victorio 5, the 2006 Hanoverian stallion (Uccello x Graefin) owned by Victorio Equine Group LLC. Fourteen riders tackled the first round alongside McArdle and Victorio 5, but the pair topped a three-horse second round. After her win, McArdle shared that her connection with Victorio 5 has developed to cultivate a winning strategy. “He [Victorio 5] has been my mount for almost three years now. I know him very well and we’ve had a lot of Grand Prix wins together,” she explained. “I don’t want to say it was an easy class, but I know him well that I just went in, rode my plan, and came out with success!”
McArdle and Victorio 5’s long-standing partnership led to a jump-off performance that was more than a second faster than the previous leader. With a tight cohort of competitors challenging the jump-off test. “For the jump-off, I had to go all-out, because I didn’t know what was going to win it,” she admitted. “I did all of the inside turns, and it turned out great!”
McArdle and her mount will continue to compete at TIEC for the next two weeks. She hopes to have the same good fortune in the weeks to come, and plans to enter the $137,000 Night in the Country Grand Prix CSI 3* during Tryon Summer 4. “We love Tryon!” she concluded. “All of our clients and horses love showing here. It’s a great place to be with lots of space to ride, and the stables are excellent.”
Wellington, FL – March 12, 2020 – Abigail McArdle (USA) won the $37,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 10 riding Victorio 5 on Thursday, March 12, at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL.
Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) set courses for 82 horses with 18 jumping clear over the opening track. After eight riders elected not to return, the stage was set for a 10-horse jump-off. With only fractions of a second to spare, McArdle stole the win with a blistering jump-off time of 41.40 seconds.
“For sure this is the best season I’ve ever had in my life – and maybe will ever have,” said McArdle of her consistency throughout the WEF season. “I’m just so happy, and I’m so lucky to be riding such a nice horse.”
McArdle has been competing Victorio 5, a 14-year-old Hanoverian stallion (Uccello x Graf Top), since the end of 2018 with their success culminating this year. “Obviously, it doesn’t happen right away,” she said. “He’s always been a good horse. He’s always jumped clean rounds, but getting to the point where I feel like I can walk in and win a big track like this has taken time. I’d say it’s taken that long just to mesh with him. Now we’re thinking the same, and it’s a good feeling.”
Hunter Kay and Lucca Earn Take2 Thoroughbred Hunter Championship
The Take2 Thoroughbred Hunter division came to a close on Thursday with Hunter Kay riding Lucca to the top honors in Ring 11. Kay and the 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding by Fit to Fight earned two firsts, a second, and a third-place ribbon.
Kay and Lucca, owned by Pauline Lampshire, have a longtime partnership of six years. The pair first began showing together in the Adult Hunter divisions when Kay was still an amateur. Now that Kay is a professional, the duo dominates the Take2 Thoroughbred Hunter division and won the finals last year at the Kentucky Horse Park.
“It’s so nice that they still have this division to help promote and support the thoroughbreds,” Kay said of the Thoroughbred Hunter division.
Wellington, FL – January 23, 2020 – Abigail McArdle (USA) and Victorio 5 topped a field of 85 entries to win the $37,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 3 CSI3* on Friday, January 23, during week three of the 2020 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL.
On their way to the win in Thursday’s featured class, McArdle and Victorio 5 were one of 11 entries to navigate the first-round course without fault and elect to return to face-off over the Kelvin Bywater (GBR) designed short course.
When McArdle returned to the ring, the time to beat had been set at 45.39 seconds by Lucas Porter (USA) and C Hunter, owned by Sleepy P Ranch, but quick foot speed and a skillful slice to one fence in particular would ultimately clinch the victory for McArdle with an unbeatable time of 43.98 seconds. Porter’s time held up for second place.
“I’ve never won a WEF [Challenge Cup] before; this is a first, so I’m very, very happy!” said McArdle, 25. “It was a very difficult first round track; I went for it in the jump-off, and it paid off.”
Maria Rasmussen Pilots R & R to Green Hunter 3’3” Championship
The Green Hunter 3’3” division came to a close on Thursday with the crowning of Maria Rasmussen and R & R as the champions. Rasmussen rode R & R to a first, two seconds, a fourth, and a fifth-place ribbon in the Equine Tack and Nutritionals Ring 6.
R & R is a fairly new ride for Rasmussen, who has only had the horse for one month. Owned by Jill Abrams of Wellington, FL, the eight-year-old Oldenburg gelding has already proven to be a great addition. “He has been fun, easy and talented right off the bat!” Rasmussen commented.
Rasmussen, of Royal Palm Beach, FL, was pleased with how reliable R & R was in the tough competition. “For pre-green horses it’s hard to be so consistent, and he gave it his all every round,” said Rasmussen. The gelding’s beautiful and rhythmic canter also helped the pair stand out to the judges and win the under saddle.
Although Rasmussen is having fun showing R & R, her main goal is to get him ready for Abrams to take over the ride. Abrams plans to show the gelding in the Adult Amateurs during this season of the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Lexington, Ky. – May 12, 2019 – The Kentucky Spring Horse Show closed out in the Rolex Stadium on Sunday with the $35,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington. With 44 starters challenging each other, it was Darragh Kenny that once again could not be beat in the jump-off, this time winning with Vlock Show Stables’ Scarlett Du Sart Z. Kenny also walked away with the Leading Open Jumper Rider Award, sponsored by Envisian Products, after accumulating the most points through his top placings in the Welcome Speed, Hagyard Lexington Classic, Kentucky Spring Grand Prix, and Sunday’s grand prix.
Abigail McArdle and Cade Capture $15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix
Earlier in the day, the $15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix took place in the Rolex Stadium, giving up-and-coming athletes the opportunity to try their hand at the 1.40m and 1.50m height. Twenty-five athletes entered the class hoping to walk away with the winning title, but it was Abigail McArdle and her longtime partner Cade who took the top prize. The 16 effort track proved tricky for some competitors with both time and jumping faults playing a role in the day’s challenges. Only three competitors returned for the jump-off, Delaney Flynn, Tanimara Macari, and McArdle.
Havens Schatt Is Spectacular to Win $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
Sunday competition highlighted top hunter horses in the Stonelea Ring with the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Dietrich Equine Insurance where Havens Schatt and Spectacular claimed the win.
Jeff Gogul Maintains $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Title
Preceding Sunday’s international derby, the Stonelea Ring saw 25 horse-and-rider combinations contest the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, sponsored by World Equestrian Center and Kentucky Horse Shows, the first of 15 World Equestrian Center/Kentucky Horse Shows USHJA National Hunter Derby Series events, where Jeff Gogul defended his title to once again claimed the victory, this time aboard Counselor.
Wellington, FL – December 18, 2018 – Abigail McArdle of Barrington, IL jumped into first place in the $25,000 ProElite® Grand Prix in the 2018 ESP Holiday II at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). McArdle secured a winning time of 41.004 seconds riding Cade, a 2002 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Heartbreaker x Darco) owned by David McArdle. Margie Engle of Wellington, FL earned second place aboard USA Normande, a 2008 Selle Francais mare (Made in Semilly x Urbain Du Monnai) owned by Paillot Equestrian & Gladewinds Farm, Inc. Engle and USA Normande flew through the timers in 41.214 seconds. Peter Lutz of Waccabuc, NY, also riding for the USA, claimed third place with Excellent, a 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Cicero Z Van Paemel x Ahorn) owned by Bosch Sport Horses, with a time of 43.034 seconds.
Among 22 competitors, McArdle and Cade remained the swiftest pair in the course set by Jason Shelley of Wellington, FL, earning their way into the jump-off by being one of six four-fault performances after no pairs went clear in the first round.
McArdle explained that her strategy changed mid-ride, and later, mid-jump-off. “My plan was to go in, lay down a clear round and win the class,” she detailed. “But I ended up having a rail down toward the end of the course and then I just tried to keep it together to make sure I was in that jump-off with the four-faulters. I saw Todd [take an] inside turn, but he had the rail down. Someone told me Peter and Margie went around and it was faster, but that Margie really laid it down and I’d have to go fast. So I tried to do what Margie did, but a bit faster.”
While just weeks ago McArdle was claiming top honors aboard Victorio 5 in the USEF U25 Show Jumping National Championships, any win on Cade, a longtime partner, is always particularly special, McArdle revealed.
“This is my old horse; he’s seventeen and I’m just so happy for him to be able to have a win. I’m keeping him doing whatever he wants right now, and he feels good, so it’s nice to have a horse I’m so familiar with. I’ll keep him as the second for now and bring him out when he wants to,” she said of her season plans for Cade. “With the older horses you have to be cautious with what they do, obviously, because I’d like to keep him going for another couple years.”
For full results from the $25,000 ProElite® Grand Prix, click here.
Wellington, FL – December 3, 2018 – Abigail McArdle (Barrington, IL) maintained her lead to take the title after a double-clear performance in the final day of the USEF U25 National Show Jumping Championship at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), piloting Victorio 5, a 2006 Hanoverian stallion (Uccello x Graefin) owned by Victorio Equine Group LLC, to the top and besting a field of 15. North Salem, NY native Mattias Tromp had one rail down in the first round of Finals competition but countered with a fault-free score of 70.73 seconds in round two with Eyecatcher, a 2009 Dutch Warmblood mare (Harley VDL x Ninewood) owned by Beyaert Farm Inc., to improve his rank by one and claim reserve honors on the week. Samantha Cohen of New York, NY entered round two on just two penalties with her own Carmen, a 2007 Dutch Warmblood mare (Whitesnake x Wanado), and finished the day on a four-fault score of 74.05 seconds to be recognized with third place. The $25,000 USEF U25 National Show Jumping Championship Class 3 welcomed back the top twelve pairs for the second round in order to discern the day’s winners, influencing the weeklong results as well.
The course design by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) “asked all the questions,” said McArdle, who has finished on the podium twice prior at the USEF U25 National Show Jumping Championship. “This is actually my third year competing. Every year I’ve had a great horse and it felt like it was just my time. I was ready to win it. I have a lot of belief in this horse right now and I sort of walked into this week knowing I was going to win,” she recalled.
“It’s not at all like a normal show, where you jump a few classes or do your round and then get ready for the grand prix,” McArdle said of the multi-day format. “It asks different questions of your horse. If they’re tired because they’ve jumped a lot of rounds, it’s hard for them to jump that many clean rounds. You also had to go fast – it’s a lot.”
Runner-up Tromp touched on the importance of the U25 division for up-and-coming riders like himself, saying, “I think this division gives the opportunity for younger riders to compete in a championship format that I think will be very important later on in our careers. I think it’s also a great place for us to develop as riders, and also some younger grand prix horses also fit very nicely into this division.
“I think the hardest part is the first day because it’s faults-converted,” Tromp elaborated. “And although the format is done that way so that a good rider can still be in it if they have a rail down, the reality is there are very fast riders involved. I think going into several days of competition it can undo a horse very quickly, so I think as riders we have to be conscious of our horses – yes, we have to ride fast because it’s a faults-converted format, but we can’t undo the horses, either, so that they’re rushing at fences the rest of the week.”
Cohen agreed, “After the first day with Carmen, I had to do a lot of work on the flat before Friday’s class to kind of reel her back in, because I really made her go the first day and she was at the end of stride. I think remaining consistent is definitely a challenge through all of the rounds – it’s really not over until you’ve jumped the last jump.”
But for Cohen, the week’s youngest competitor, the pressure of a national championship was not a hindrance, and might have pushed her to perform at a higher level, she revealed. “Being on Carmen, the pressure doesn’t really get to me as much because I’m so confident on her, and she really never puts a foot wrong in the ring. This summer I’ve gotten to jump a lot of big classes with her and in a couple of pressure situations, and she’s really helped me out. Sometimes pressure helps me ride better, and I just try to block everything out and just focus on myself and my horse. When I’m on a horse like her, the pressure never seems too bad,” she concluded.
Mill Spring, NC – July 9, 2017 – Abigail McArdle (USA) and Chuck Berry 8, who have earned numerous placings in FEI competition at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) over the past two weeks, finally earned their place at the top of the podium in the $35,000 1.45m Tryon Challenge CSI 3*. The duo finished their jump-off in 42.931 seconds, ahead of Alexis Trosch (ARG) and Opaline Z, who collected second place with a time of 43.699 seconds. Erynn Ballard (CAN) and Thalys Z took third place after completing the short course in 45.063 seconds.
The class was the first FEI class hosted on the Grass Complex at TIEC during the 2017 Tryon Summer Series and saw 38 entries. Oscar Soberon (MEX) continued with international course designing responsibilities for the class. The morning saw six entries advanced to the jump-off round, as five entries finished with a double clear effort on the day. Trosch, who earned second place, also piloted Cantara Z to fifth place and finished as the only rider with two mounts qualified for the jump-off.
“Having the class on the grass field made it a completely different atmosphere for us. Oscar [Soberon] has been really tough this week. The courses have been difficult and you can tell by the number of horses in each jump-off,” she explained. “Rails came down throughout the course, which meant you really had to be on your game to finish with a clear round.”
McArdle, a notoriously fast rider who always is near the top of the standings, has had a great two weeks of competition so far at TIEC, collecting numerous second and third place finishes with Chuck Berry 8, a 2007 Hanoverian gelding (Chacco-Blue x Watzmann) owned by Plain Bay Sales.
“I ended up going later in the jump-off and was able to watch Alexis take his horses around the course. I saw the lines, the combinations, and how they were riding,” she commented. “I know my horse moves quickly across the ground and I added a bit at the beginning, but think that I really made up the time at the end of the course over the oxer and after the skinny, leaving out more of the gallop strides.”
Chuck Berry 8 is a newer mount for McArdle, added to the Plain Bay Sales team after the winter season in Wellington, FL. McArdle’s goal is to compete the talented gelding in grand prix classes by the end of the year, but has taken a methodical approach to his development.
“He’s a ten-year-old and he’s really turning into a top horse. After this we’ll head back to our home base in Virginia for a few weeks before heading to Michigan to do some of the FEI classes up there,” explained McArdle, as she discussed Plain Bay’s schedule and her plans with Chuck Berry 8.
“We’ve been trying to develop him a bit slower, doing the 1.40m and some of the Under 25 Grand Prix classes, but I’m hoping to be able to move him up to be a grand prix horse this summer. I had a lot of second place finishes last week on this horse and it feels great to finally get the win,” she added.
Collecting her first international win at TIEC this season on the Grass Complex, McArdle expressed her thoughts on the condition of the field and the important flexibility it provides the show, offering riders an opportunity to test their horses in a different environment.
“I thought the footing on the field held up great with all of the rain that we’ve had here in the evenings this week. The base feels awesome and there’s great drainage out there,” detailed McArdle. “It’s been great and it adds a totally different dynamic to the competition.”
Hunter Highlights
The $1,000 Amateur Owner Hunter 3’6″ Classic saw Kianna Luscher of Hawthorne, NJ and Carissima W, owned by Northeast Equi-Wave Therapy, LLC, take victory with a total score of 165. Christina Fisher of Alpharetta, GA and her own Levland earned second place with a score of 162, while Bergen Sanderford of Santa Rosa Beach, FL and her own Perspective rounded out the top three with a 160.
Christina Fisher of Alpharetta, GA and Enchanted Evening, owned by Lizabeth Fisher, took top honors in the $1,000 Amateur Owner 3’3″ Classic with a score of 166. Kaitlin Porath of Charlotte, NC and her own Breaux finished in second place with a score of 164, while Alexandra McReady of Annapolis, MD and Corassini, owned by Spring Landing Farm, rounded out the top three with a score of 157.
Thea Bitar of McLean, VA and her own LPF Woodford secured the win in the $1,000 Junior Hunter 3’6″ Classic with a top score of 161.5. Siena Vasan of Boca Raton, FL and Namesake, owned by Palm Ponies, LLC, finished in second place with a 160.5. Avery Lynch of Charlotte, NC and Ledger, owned by Five Henry Stables, rounded out the top three on a 155.
Emmanuelle Greenberg of Boca Raton, FL and Czech Mate, owned by Pumpkin’s Patch Farm, LLC, finished with a win in the $1,000 Junior Hunter 3’3″ Classic on a final score of 163 to secure the win. Katarina Muhlhauser of Claifon, NJ and her own Adele finished in second place on a 157.5, while Katie Kittrell of Madison, GA and her own Javite earned a 156 for third place.
The $1,000 USHJA Pre-Green Hunter Incentive 3’3″/3’6″ saw Terry Brown of Canton, GA and Besotted, owned by Showcase Limited, ride to the top of the class. Natalie Geller of Canton, GA and Homepage, owned by Fit to Print Farm, collected second place, while Taylor Ann Adams of Ocala, FL and Leroux, owned by CRA Equestrian, rounded out the top three placings.
Jennifer Smith of Wellington, FL and her own Ocean Mist took top honors in the Adult-Amateur Hunter 50 & Over Division, finishing as the week’s champion combination. Holly Sims of Atlanta, GA and Homepage, owned by Fit to Print Farm, earned reserve champion.
Elizabeth Tarumianz of Charlotte, NC and Renoir Z, owned by Allison Mills, collected champion honors in the Adult-Amateur 36-49 Division ahead of Ashley Waters Whitman of St. Augustine, FL and Heart Breaker, owned by Meredith King, who took reserve.
The Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3″ Combined Division saw two champion combinations in Christina Fisher of Alpharetta, GA and Enchanted Evening, owned by Lizabeth Fisher, alongside Kaitlin Porath of Charlotte, NC and her own Breaux. Reserve champion honors were bestowed upon Emily Jones of Jacksonville, FL and her own Game Boy, as well as Claudia Pollex of Troutman, NC and her own Lover Boy.
Christina Fisher of Alpharetta, GA and her own Levland, rode to collect champion honors in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6″ Combined Division, ahead of Bergen Sanderford of Santa Rosa Beach, FL and her own Perspective, who finished in reserve.
The Animobile Children’s Hunter Horse 14 & Under Division saw Wiley Johannesmeyer of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL and her own Quincy take top divisional honors ahead of Abby George of Franklin, TN and Cornadinski, owned by The Jaeckle Center, who earned reserve champion.
Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, NC and Celtic Gold, owned by Meg Valnoski, were presented with champion honors in the High Performance Hunter 4′ Division, while Blythe Karolyi of Franklin, TN and Fondant, owned by Virginia Ingram, collected reserve champion accolades.
The Marshall & Sterling Adult-Amateur Hunter 18-35 Division was championed by Grace Bridges of Eatonton, GA and her own Valducchy. Reserve champion was earned by Allison Cederberg of Billings, MT aboard Zero Tolerance, owned by Dru Cederberg.
For more information on TIEC, please visit www.tryon.com.
Abigail McArdle and Harriri V.D. Maltahoeve Best $10,000 #1 Education Place Open Stake
Wellington, FL – December 8, 2015 – Wilhelm Genn of Lebanon, OH piloted Bugatti, owned by Eduardo Leon, to a win in the $25,000 Noble Outfitters ESP Year End Grand Prix at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Sunday, December 6, concluding the ESP Year End Awards Show. Genn and Bugatti finished the jump-off in 41.327 seconds, while Amanda Derbyshire of Wellington, FL and Lady Maria BH crossed through the timers in 42.33 seconds for a second place finish, and Emanuel Andrade of Wellington, FL and Armani Z collected four faults in the jump-off round to finish in third with a time of 42.424 seconds.
Bugatti, a 2006 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Heartbreaker x Nona Bella), came into the ring a bit fresh in the first round, according to Genn, but rode beautifully as the lead-off combination in the three-horse jump-off. Both track, set by Catsy Cruz of Mexico, tested agility and athleticism, with several sharp rollback turns included in both rounds.
“When I walked the course before the class, I thought I was a very nice course and in the lines you needed to be cautious in how you approached them. The lines rode beautifully though and the height was great,” noted Genn. “There were three in the jump-off which was exactly what you wanted for a class this size. I was hoping that he would go very smoothly today and he was a bit fresh in the first round, but he was just super in the jump-off.”
Genn led the charge in the jump-off round, tackling the track first, before two notoriously quick riders were to follow, which proved to be an influential factor in his plan, stating, “When you go into the jump-off round first, you don’t want to self-destruct. I tried to put the pressure on the others and I know that Amanda and Emanuel are both very fast riders and have very nice horses. I knew that I wouldn’t get away with just going a little bit faster so I had to put myself into a situation where they needed to feel like they had to do something to catch the time.”
Originally imported to the United States as a top hunter prospect, Bugatti seemed more suited for the jumper ring and has flourished under Genn’s guidance.
“I’ve had him since he was five and I’ve brought him slowly along. As he’s gotten older he’s started to wake up a bit more and has that nice mixture because now he understands when he needs to turn it on. He’s only nine and I don’t want to push for the 1.60m classes with him yet. Right now he has fun and he’s doing great,” explained Genn. “He did the 1.50m class last week and jumped clear finishing fifth so I know he will jump there eventually but I want to give him a little bit more time to grow up and get there himself.”
“He’s starting to figure out the difference between the first round and the jump-off, which is so important. I think that is typically a sign that they’re starting to get good at understanding what you’re asking them to do,” continued Genn.
Both of Genn’s top horses have improved and gained confidence through the 2015 season, which will set them up nicely for a competitive start to the approaching 2016. Genn explained, “I would like to keep winning, because you know winning is fun, but the two best horses we have right now, Bugatti and Welcome Cor, during the second half of next year I would like to begin bumping them up to World Cup qualifying classes and the bigger 1.60m opportunities. I think they’ll both be ready by then and we can have some fun.”
Abigail McArdle and Harriri V.D. Maltahoeve Best $10,000 #1 Education Place Open Stakes Class
Abigail McArdle of St. Charles, IL and Harriri V.D. Maltahoeve, owned by Plain Bay Sales, took a commanding win in the $10,000 #1 Education Place Open Stakes Class at PBIEC on Saturday, December 5, finishing the jump-off round with a time of 37.873 seconds. Sharn Wordley piloted two mounts to the top three as Hickstead’s Axel, owned by Ashland Stables, finished in second with a jump-off time of 38.013 seconds and Charline 28, owned by Sky Group, collected third place, adding four faults to their time of 37.145 seconds.
Abigail McArdle and Harriri V.D. Maltahoeve
McArdle carefully guided Harriri V.D. Maltahoeve to victory after both the jump-off and first round track proved to be challenging for many of the afternoon’s entries as a steady rain fell during the class.
“I came into the class knowing that she was going to be much more careful because of the rain, but if you know that beforehand, you don’t need to prepare any differently,” commented McArdle. “This is a super young horse that we have as well as a few other young horses down here right now and I think that this is a really nice way to start the season and prepare with these pre-circuit shows.”
McArdle has steadily risen through the ranks, as the talented young rider has collected several major victories this year and has her sights set on continuing with that consistency moving into next season. She explained, “I’d like to get my grand prix horse up in the rankings a bit more this season and look to improve there. We have a lot of nice sales horses coming down this season and I think it will be great to get them experience as well.”
Competition will continue at PBIEC beginning Friday, December 11, with the beginning of the Holiday Festival I. For more information and for a full list of results, please visit www.pbiec.com.
Lexington, KY – July 29, 2015 – Adam Prudent and Madeleine Stover earned victories for Plain Bay Sales at the Kentucky Summer Classic on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, it was Abigail McArdle’s turn.
McArdle claimed three back-to-back wins in the $5,000 1.40m Open Jumpers, the 1.35m Open Jumpers and the 1.30m Open Jumpers, giving the Plain Bay Sales team a clean sweep of all of the 1.35m and 1.40m Open Jumper classes held so far this week at the Kentucky Horse Park.
In the $5,000 1.40m Open Jumpers, McArdle piloted Plain Bay Sale’s Harriri to the victory, finishing double clear with a jump-off time of 39.050 seconds.
From a starting field of 34 entries, 20 completed the first round Florencio Hernandez designed course without fault, turning the jump-off portion into a close foot race – all mostly in hot pursuit of McArdle and Harriri’s time.
The pair had gone only second in the order and returned immediately to set the jump-off time that would hold up for the entire remainder of the class. While none could beat McArdle’s time, all of the top five would come within just two seconds of it. Amanda Derbyshire and Lady Maria BH, owned by David Gochman, came the closest, finishing in second on time of 39.301 seconds. Rounding out the top three and finishing in a time of 40.276 seconds was McArdle’s fellow Plain Bay Sales rider, Madeleine Stover, on Chester Ridge LLC’s Camillo.
At only 8 years old, Harriri is a relatively new mount for McArdle, having been purchased by Plain Bay Sales and started during the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival with the intention of turning the mare into a competitive children’s horse for the 1.30m.
“I was just going to get on and do a couple classes,” McArdle said. “Then we realized, ‘hey, this horse has got some scope.’ So then we did a couple of 1.35m, 1.40m and 1.45m classes. We realized that this horse is special. She’s only 8 so we’re taking it a little bit slowly, but you’re definitely going to see her in the grand prix within the next couple of years.”
McArdle continued, “We always say she’s going to be super special and as big a winner as Cosma [20], and so far that’s been very true to form.”
Cosma 20, owned by David McArdle, has continuously been a top mount for McArdle, racking up top finishes internationally and in Kentucky, and on Wednesday it was again Cosma 20 who found her way to the top of the leaderboard. The 12-year-old Hanoverian mare took the top call in the 1.35m Open Jumper speed class where she finished fast and faultless in a time of 56.682 seconds.
From the field of 35 entries, none would come even within eight seconds of McArdle and Cosma 20’s time. The second best time of 64.807 seconds went to Martin Mallo and Michelle Navarro Grau Dyer’s Sato Yama, and third went to Conor O’Regan and Salamander Farm’s Salome De Mars on a time of 64.863 seconds.
“We’ve been trying to jump in a lot of the FEI classes, and I’ve been keeping her as my speed horse,” McArdle said of Cosma 20. “But here in Kentucky it’s a great opportunity for me to jump the smaller grand prix. She’s funny to prepare, because her best preparation is going in a smaller speed class and really boosting her confidence up. This is really preparing me for tomorrow.”
McArdle and Cosma 20 will return on Thursday night for $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, but first McArdle added yet another win to her Wednesday streak. She claimed the victory in the 1.30m Open Jumpers aboard David McArdle’s Tina, while second went to Plain Bay Sale’s Adam Prudent on Pensilvania, owned by Dorothy Cox.
Jumper competition at the Kentucky Summer Classic continues through Sunday with headline events including Thursday night’s class and Saturday night’s $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix sponsored by GGT Footing.
Tim Goguen and Bob Crandall Share Grand Champion Honors at Kentucky Summer Classic
Longtime friends Tim Goguen and Bob Crandall are accustomed to competing against each other across the country, whether they’re in New York, Florida or at the Kentucky Horse Park. On Wednesday, the top riders tied for the Kentucky Summer Classic hunter grand championship, each racking up 50 points by taking home all five available blue ribbons in their divisions.
Bob Crandall and Casallo
Crandall and Erin McGuire’s Casallo were the first contenders for the grand championship, adding the final two blue ribbons to Tuesday’s three in the Green Conformation Hunter division. The duo secured the division’s championship, with reserve going to Winn Alden and Elizabeth Nestor’s Covert, who claimed the remaining two second-place spots for a total of five red ribbons.
“Winning all five classes is always great,” Crandall said of his clean sweep. “It doesn’t happen often whether it’s a big or small division, so it’s always great just when you’re happy with your horse. He has just been amazing. It’s been such a treat to have him back, and I thank the McGuires and Jack and Liza Towell for that.”
In the Second Year Green Hunters, Goguen and Saddle Ridge LLC’s Ransom followed suit, claiming the top spot in both the classic and handy hunter rounds for a total of five blue ribbons to earn the division’s championship. The reserve championship went to Isabelle Pott’s Fusagers Carma, who was shown by Jordan Gilchrist.
“Ransom’s just been really steady and consistent through Florida, [the Devon Horse Show] and up here with Vivian [Yowan] in the Junior Hunters and Second Years,” Goguen said. “He’s 6 years old and was reserve at Harrisburg in the First Years and in the Junior Hunters as well. Ransom is just so scopey, and he tries really hard.”
With both Goguen and Crandall tied with perfect scores of 50 points at the end of the day, the grand champion award, sponsored by Visse Wedell for Douglas Elliman Real Estate, was split between the two riders, who willingly shared in the honors.
“I guess if I have to share, sharing with Tim was OK,” Crandall laughed. “Upstate New York reigns again.”
Earlier in the day, Goguen continued his domination of the First Year Green Hunters, piloting Garland Alban’s Capella and Belhaven Stables LLC’s Rookie to champion and reserve champion, respectively.
Goguen and Capella added a first and third to Tuesday’s two firsts and second, edging out the rest of the field to earn the title.
“Capella has been champion or reserve every week that we’ve shown him up north,” Goguen said. “He’s in the same realm as Ransom as far as being very scopey. It’s very easy for him.”
Rookie’s second and fourth place finishes added to Tuesday’s two seconds and first gave him enough points for the reserve.
“Rookie didn’t start until spring here,” Goguen continued. “He has really come along, as well. He’s good going around; he a can jump a very good jump. I think he’s going to win his share in this division, as he’s been doing. We call him a Labrador because he’s so friendly in the barn, and he’ll just get in your lap.”
Rounding out the day were the High Performance Hunters, with the division’s championship going to Fleur De Lis Farms’ Bowie, who was piloted by Courtney Calcagnini. The pair earned two blue ribbons, added to Tuesday’s first and fifths for the top spot. The division’s reserve championship went to Bill Schaub’s Avalon, who was ridden by Molly Sewell.
The junior hunter divisions begin on Tuesday, with the amateurs scheduled to show Saturday and Sunday. The $5,000 USHJA Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby will take place on Saturday.
Kentucky Horse Shows 2015 Horse Show Series Fast Facts
Events:
Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, USEF National Pony Finals, Bluegrass Festival Horse Show and KHJA Horse Show, and the 2015 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals and the Pre Green Incentive Championship.
What:
The Kentucky Horse Show LLC’s 2015 series includes five weeks of top competition throughout the summer. These premier hunter/jumper competitions host the Hagyard Challenge Series with seven grand prix competitions that culminate with a Leading Rider Award, as well as the Hallway Feeds National 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:
NORTH AMERICAN JUNIOR & YOUNG RIDER CHAMPIONSHIPS – July 14-19, 2015
KENTUCKY SUMMER HORSE SHOW – July 22-26, 2015
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix
$50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
KENTUCKY SUMMER CLASSIC – July 28 – August 2, 2015
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix sponsored by GGT Footings
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
2015 USEF PONY FINALS – August 4-9, 2015
BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL HORSE SHOW – August 11-16, 2015
USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship
USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix sponsored by Audi of Lexington
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
WCHR Member Event
KHJA HORSE SHOW – August 19-23, 2015
$10,000 Hagyard Welcome Stake
$30,000 KHJA Grand Prix
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Summer Series: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Hollow Creek Farm, GGT Footing, Rood and Riddle, 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) 281-7979, Fax: (859) 231-6097
Stabling – Pat Duncan (503) 510-8797
Stable office – Before Show: (503) 510-8797, 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
Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry, and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.
Hotels:
CLARION HOTEL (http://www.clarionhotellex.com) (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 Ryan McGaughey at Ryan.mcgaughey@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 checkout 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.
Calgary, AB, Canada – July 9, 2015 – The 2015 Spruce Meadows Summer Series began its final week of competition, the ‘Pan American’ Tournament CSI 5*, presented by Rolex, with wins for Pablo Barrios (VEN) and Abigail McArdle (USA) on Thursday. The ‘Pan American’ Tournament continues with world-class show jumping through Sunday, July 12.
Pablo Barrios led the victory gallop in the $34,000 Friends of the Meadows Cup 1.50m riding Emanuel Andrade’s Fananka A in the Meadows on the Green. Out of 48 entries, 13 cleared Guilherme Jorge’s (BRA) speed track, and Barrios and Fananka A blazed the winning time of 56.73 seconds. Hardin Towell (USA) and Jennifer Gates’ Lucifer V finished second in 56.91 seconds, and Rodrigo Lambre (BRA) placed third aboard Mario Onate’s Charielle, with a time of 58.09 seconds.
Barrios has had great results throughout the summer at Spruce Meadows, but this was his first international win of the series. Fananka A, a ten-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Chin Chin x Kannan), is a new mount for the rider this summer and he explained that Thursday’s course suited the horse perfectly.
“I am happy that I finally got one victory,” Barrios stated. “I never expected to have it with her because she is just a new ride for me. Emanuel let me ride her because I was a little short on FEI horses. Basically, we trained her to do the derbies. I was a little unlucky in both derby competitions, but she placed in both.”
“Finally, this course was perfect for her,” Barrios continued. “When I walked the course I really liked it for her. It was long lines for a big horse and she has a big step. Two of the tightest turns were to her good side on her left lead. Everything was perfect for her, so I went for it to see if I could win and I was lucky.”
“She has a very different style,” Barrios said of Fananka. “The quality is top; I have never ridden a horse with that much quality, but the rideability is a little tough. You have to place her in a distance that she feels comfortable. Normally, she gets deeper than what you want or she will put herself in a place that you think she is in trouble, but she is so careful and she tries so hard. I do not know how, but she leaves the rails up.”
Further detailing his round, Barrios explained, “I was fast in the rollback from number three to the plank. Then I was the only one in the competition who did seven strides to the combination. She has a huge step and she goes a little left, so I planned the seven and it worked perfect. I think I was very quick there; everybody was doing nine or eight strides. Then I was fast in the rollback after the liverpool. Again, she goes left and she turned great, so I made good time there.”
Barrios hopes to continue riding Fananka and thanked the Andrade Family for letting him compete the mare this summer. He also thanked sponsors: Animo, Hagyard Equine Clinic, Devoucoux, Purina, Choice of Champions, Healthy Coat, and Der Dau.
On Friday, Barrios plans to compete ZL Group, Inc.’s Zara Leandra in the $85,000 Ashcor Technologies Cup 1.55m. The mare has been competing very well and he hopes to jump her in Sunday’s $400,000 Pan American Cup, presented by Rolex, to conclude the Summer Series.
McArdle Opens with a Win
International competition at the ‘Pan American’ Tournament got underway in the North American Ring Thursday morning with a win for Abigail McArdle (USA) and David McArdle’s Cosma 20 in the $34,000 Friends of the Meadows Cup 1.45m. Held over a one round speed track set by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA), the competition saw 50 competitors with 14 clear rounds. McArdle and Cosma 20 clocked in at 65.90 seconds for the win.
Hardin Towell and Jennifer Gates’ New York placed second in 68.46 seconds, and Kent Farrington (USA) finished third with a time of 68.76 seconds aboard Haity McNerney and Amalaya Investments’ Cha Cha Cha 7.
Abigail McArdle of USA riding Cosma 20
McArdle and Cosma 20 have been a winning team for several years, and the 12-year-old Hanoverian mare (Couleur Rubin x Stakkato) proved why she is a winner on Thursday, speeding through the course and giving a little extra effort at the end.
“I got lucky,” McArdle detailed. “She lost a shoe and she slipped a little bit on the way to the last line, but she still true blue left the ground for me and had a super finish.”
Thursday’s win marks the pair’s third victory in the 1.45m division for this year’s Summer Series and McArdle explained that the venue suits her horse well.
“Spruce Meadows is a great venue for her because of the grass fields; she is able to really gallop,” the rider explained. “In today’s course, the way the numbers were, she was able to keep a big stride and a big gallop where the other horses had to steady in the lines. She is also really quick away from the fences.”
“It is important to remember with her that where other people may leave out strides in the lines, I have to not get so focused on that and really try to make it up in the turns and always just stick to my plan,” McArdle added. “We have had a super partnership. I consider her the best 1.45m speed horse there is. She is super careful.”
Competition continues on Friday featuring the $34,000 Friends of the Meadows Cup 1.45m followed by the $85,000 Ashcor Technologies Cup 1.55m.
For a complete tournament schedule and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.
