Tag Archives: Bjorn Ikast

Janet Hischer and Cutler Quick on Their Feet to Win 1.30m/1.40m Open Jumpers at Summer in the Rockies I

Janet Hischer and Cutler.

Parker, CO – June 6, 2014 – Janet Hischer decided to change up her summer plans and come to the Colorado Horse Park this year, and it’s already paying off. She and Cutler blazed through a speedy jump-off round in 39.935 seconds and took home first place in the $2,500 Open Jumper 1.30/1.40m on Friday morning in the Kathy and Brad Coors Family Grand Prix Arena.

The first to make the jump-off was Nicki Wilcox on J.E.S. Quito, sixth in the order, who ticked a rail coming out of the double combination to finish with four faults in a time of 44.029 seconds. Hischer and Cutler were next to go and set a time that proved unbeatable, though several tried.

Katharin Gualtieri and Castalano came closest with their time of 41.785 seconds. Courtney Frederick and Soulshine were also double clear and finished third with a jump-off time of 43.157 seconds, three seconds behind Hischer and Cutler.

Hischer said Cutler’s natural speed and maneuverability make him tough to beat.

“He’s half Thoroughbred, by a Holstein stallion, and I know he’s really fast,” she said. “I just cock up in the half seat. I show mostly in Southern California and see Rich Fellers all the time, so I get in the jump-off and pretend I’m Rich Fellers. Cutler is a little bit hot, and I just try to manage him and go.”

Cutler performed well today over the course set by designer Mauricio Garcia. Hischer said the course was “pretty technical.” She chose to add a stride in a five-stride line following a double combination that Cutler jumped “a little bit up in the air,” taking advantage of his adjustability to make the distance work.

Hischer, who owns and operates Twisted Tree Farm in Scottsdale, AZ, got Cutler three years ago from a friend who asked if she would take him because he wasn’t a good fit for the friend’s daughter.

“He was skinny and ugly, and everybody thought I was crazy,” Hischer laughed. “I brought him back home and played with him. He’s a character – he plays games. I don’t think he’s really a spooky horse, but he likes to make you think he’s spooky.”

She hasn’t competed in Colorado for six years, usually heading to Canada for Spruce Meadows, but she chose to return for all six weeks of Summer in the Rockies this year. She is especially happy to be in the area since her niece, Jackie Smith of Parker, CO, just had a baby, and she’s enjoying the Colorado Horse Park facility so far.

“It’s a lot of fun – a beautiful place,” she commented. “I really like the people here.”

$1,000 Young Jumper 7/8 Year Old Championship

Also competing Friday morning were young horses vying for the $1,000 Young Jumper 7/8 Year Old Championship. All five in the class successfully advanced to the jump-off, and three of the five were double clear.

Bjorn Ikast of Parker, CO piloted his own Spice Boy through the fastest jump-off in a time of 39.891 seconds to claim the win. Spice Boy competes in the 8-year-olds but is quite a bit younger than most of his competition, as he won’t turn 8 until Dec. 15.

Bjorn Ikast and Spice Boy
Bjorn Ikast and Spice Boy

“He’s a very late 8-year-old, but he seems to be doing great!” Ikast said. “He’s a really nice horse. I got him in Chile, so I called him Spice Boy. He is very good to turn and can turn very sharply, so it worked out for me today.”

Ikast noted today’s course was “friendly” and required him to ride fast in the jump-off.

“It was a lovely course,” he said. “I really like the course designer, Mauricio Garcia – it’s the first time I’ve ridden his courses. I’m really happy with it and I hope I will say the same after the Grand Prix tomorrow!”

Ikast also rode his 7-year-old Supernatural, who was first to go in the class, to third place with a time of 40.435 in the jump-off. He returned fourth in the order with Spice Boy and chased down Paige Coles’ time of 40.029 seconds with Springfield Hill, who ended up in second place as the top 7-year-old in the class. Coles came out of the ring with a big smile.

“He’s so much fun to ride!” she exclaimed. “I just got him in the fall of last year. He’s my baby. We’re still getting to know each other – we’ve only done four or five shows. He is awesome and has so much power underneath him. He’s willing to do anything.”

She also enjoyed the course and felt it was a perfect fit for Springfield Hill.

“It was really open, which is good for this horse especially,” she explained. “He just gallops up and jumps great off the longer stride coming out of the corner.”

Coles is from Wellington, FL, but is currently a student at the University of Denver. She has been coming out to Colorado to compete every summer since she was 12.

“The people are great in Colorado – they’re so nice,” she said. “The weather is awesome. I’ve seen the horse show grow, which is really cool. It’s a different scene.”

Jumper competition continues Saturday with the featured class of Summer in the Rockies: the $25,000 Holiday Inn of Parker Grand Prix. 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.

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Jessie Lang and C. Quito Win $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

C. Quito claimed the blue ribbon in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby during Summer in the Rockies III. Photo credit: Flying Horse Photography

 

Bjorn Ikast Makes It Three in a Row in the $30,000 Gesco Grand Prix

Parker, CO — The third week of the Colorado Summer Circuit ended with big money classes! Jessie Lang riding Margot Snowdon’s C. Quito brought home the blue ribbon and the winning check to Wyoming in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. Amateur rider Rachel Boggus bested the pros in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. And in the $30,000 Gesco Grand Prix, Bjorn Ikast made it three in a row by leading the victory gallop in the Prix for the third consecutive week.

$10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
Hunter riders got the opportunity to ride their Derbies over the big, permanent Linda Allen designed Derby field at The Colorado Horse Park. With banks and hilly terrain, riders were able to show off their horse’s brilliance in an inviting setting over the Skip Bailey-designed courses.

“The course was so beautifully put together,” said Jessie Lang, rider of C. Quito, a nine-year-old approved BWP (Belgian) stallion. The son of Parco (by Darco) won both rounds by a nice margin. After a successful indoor season last fall, including the Regular Conformation Hunter Championship at Harrisburg, C. Quito has had a light show season in 2011 to accommodate his busy breeding schedule this spring. The stallion was obviously in top form, earning a 90 from one judging panel in the handy round and bonus points in both rounds, to finish with a 382 overall.

In between his first and second rounds, C. Quito went over to the Adult Amateur ring with his owner Margot Snowdon, laying down trips that earned him first and fourth place ribbons in that division.

Continue reading Jessie Lang and C. Quito Win $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

Great Cash, Prizes and Fun during Summer in the Rockies II

Bjorn Ikast Wins Second Consecutive Grand Prix

Bjorn Ikast & Omar Shariff. Photo credit: Flying Horse Photography

Parker, CO — The second week of the Colorado Summer Circuit finished Sunday with great style. Summer in the Rockies II awarded cash and prizes to riders in all divisions, from the Adult Amateur Hunters to the Open Jumpers. Competitors and sponsors were treated to a range of hospitality. Among the social highlights — Friday Afternoon Club at A Bit of Tack with margaritas and munchies, a fabulous tented party complete with a band in Central Park, and a wonderful VIP party during the $25,000 Grand Prix Presented by Littleton Equine Medical Center and Platinum Performance. Sunday brunch on Father’s Day rounded out the fun.

“Our goal with the expanded circuit was to create a destination,” said CHP Vice President Brian Curry. “We have people that are staying in Colorado for the summer, so we wanted them to feel at home and help them have wonderful memories from their trip.”

Many riders that have attended shows at the Park for almost 20 years are saying that the facility never looked better. Not only are there many beautiful new flower beds, rings full of new jumps, including elegant water features in the hunter rings, there’s also the new permanent coffee shop, Stable Grounds, offering lattes, cappuccinos and pastries.

Of course, all of the new amenities are a wonderful backdrop to the real draw — the horse show. While this week’s $25,000 Grand Prix Presented by Littleton Equine Medical Center and Platinum Performance found the same three riders claiming the top three spots, they had to run for their placings in the jump-off, a real thrill for the spectators.

Continue reading Great Cash, Prizes and Fun during Summer in the Rockies II

Brave Heart Claims 24th Grand Prix with Win in the $25,000 Holiday Inn Grand Prix

Lindsay Gersoff Has Children’s Hunter Classic Hat Trick

Bjorn Ikast and Brave Heart win the $25,000 Holiday Inn Grand Prix. Photo credit: Flying Horse Photography

Parker, CO — Bjorn Ikast and Brave Heart, frequent Grand Prix winners, led the victory gallop during the first week of the expanded Colorado Summer Circuit in the $25,000 Holiday Inn Grand Prix. This win brought Brave Heart’s career victories to 24. Riders universally praised Hector Loyola’s technical course, saying that he asked all the right questions at the right times.

“I thought this was a fantastic Grand Prix course,” Ikast said. “It has a lovely international flavor; you really had to ride this course.” Ikast was pleased with his elastic, seasoned horse over Loyola’s track that included two combinations away from the in-gate and two back-to-back liverpools. Ikast credited the course and the footing for providing spectators with quality riding throughout the class. He explained, “We saw only good show jumping. This is the best we’ve ever felt this footing. With the rain we got a good spring [from the ground].”

To keep Brave Heart fresh, this was his first and only class during the show. The strategy clearly worked; the 15-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding bucked and played around the course. Ikast said it may have been one of Brave Heart’s best Grand Prix. “He didn’t even touch one rail; he felt really good,” he said.

Continue reading Brave Heart Claims 24th Grand Prix with Win in the $25,000 Holiday Inn Grand Prix

Expanded Colorado Summer Circuit Debuts with Nearly $1,000,000 in Cash and Prizes

Bjorn Ikast Finishes with Top Two Placings in $10,000 Open Welcome Stake

Bjorn Ikast and Amore Claim 1st Place in the $10,000 Open Welcome at Summer in the Rockies 1. Photo credit: Flying Horse Photography

Parker, CO — A thrilling summer at The Colorado Horse Park debuted this week with nearly $1,000,000 in cash and prizes during the inaugural edition of the expanded Colorado Summer Circuit, June 8 – July 24, 2011. For 20 years this circuit has attracted some of the continent’s best hunter and jumper competitors, and this year it expands from four to six weeks. With big prize money every day, the circuit is expected to attract riders from around the country.

“The Colorado Horse Park is excited to launch this new circuit,” said Helen Krieble, founder and president of CHP. “We have worked hard to improve the facility and offer our competitors a fun summer to remember.”

This year competitors will find a new show manager at the helm. Pat Boyle and Showplace Productions are bringing their exhibitor-friendly management style to Colorado. In anticipation of the expansion, CHP has been upgrading many amenities, including brand new footing in the Grand Prix ring and Grand Prix warm-up; new jumps; new gardens; the Horse Connection Paddock Club Lounge; Stable Grounds, a permanent coffee shop; tented exhibitor party zone and more.

Continue reading Expanded Colorado Summer Circuit Debuts with Nearly $1,000,000 in Cash and Prizes