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Competitions, Show Jumping

Judge, Lamaze, and Rodriguez Triumph on Opening Day at Spruce Meadows ‘National’

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Quentin Judge and HH Copin van de Broy. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Calgary, AB, Canada – June 3, 2015 – Spruce Meadows kicked off its ‘National’ Tournament CSI 5*, presented by Rolex, on Wednesday with a full day of show jumping at the world-renowned venue in Calgary. The first day of competition saw wins for Quentin Judge (USA) and HH Copin van de Broy in the $34,000 Roadtrek Motorhomes Cup 1.55m, Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Rosana du Park in the $34,000 Back On Track 1.50m, and Andres Rodriguez (VEN) with Fifty Fifty 111 in the $34,000 Bantrel Cup 1.50m.

The ‘National’ Tournament is the first in five weeks of competition during this year’s Summer Series at Spruce Meadows. Riders will vie for nearly $1.2 million in prize money throughout the week, with competition concluding on Sunday, June 7. The highlight event will be the $400,000 RBC Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, on Saturday, June 6. Other features include the $85,000 ATB Financial Cup on Thursday, the $60,000 TransCanada Parcours de Chasse on Saturday, and the $210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup 1.50m Derby on Sunday.

The course designer in the International Ring for the ‘National’ Tournament is Uliano Vezzani of Italy. Vezanni began Wednesday’s competition with the $34,000 Roadtrek Motorhomes Cup 1.55m and a win for Quentin Judge aboard Double H Farm’s HH Copin van de Broy. Judge and the 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion (Darco x Brownboy) topped a 15-horse jump-off out of 65 original starters. They completed the fastest of eight double clear efforts in 37.77 seconds.

Eric Lamaze and Artisan Farms LLC’s Powerplay set the pace to beat in 38.59 seconds, eventually ending second. Rich Fellers (USA) and Harry and Molly Chapman’s Flexible landed in third place with their time of 39.24 seconds.

“I was surprised we won to be honest because I saw Eric go and I thought he was pretty fast,” Judge remarked. “My original plan was not to try to win. I wanted to be in the top four or five to get qualified for Saturday’s grand prix, but McLain Ward who trains me said, ‘Go,’ so I did. My horse felt really good and really schooled all the way around.”

Egypt’s Sameh el Dahan completed the fastest jump-off round in 37.71 seconds just before Judge entered the ring, but a rail at the last fence put the rider in ninth place overall. Judge was able to watch his round, however, and knew what he had to do.

“I saw Sameh go and I saw that he was really fast to the last line, but I am a little superstitious, so I did not watch him do the last jump,” Judge admitted. “I knew Eric did eight strides from jump one to two. I saw everyone else do nine and I knew that my horse has a similar stride as Powerplay and could also do eight. From there I just tried to be quick to the Roadtrek oxer and back to the coins oxer and the last line. Then I just let him gallop to the last jump. I knew if I was neat enough I could really trust him to the last jump and it worked out.”

Judge started riding HH Copin van de Broy, just before Spruce Meadows last summer and felt good heading into this first competition knowing they already had experience in the International Ring together.

“I feel like our partnership has come a long way,” he acknowledged. “We got along pretty well from the beginning, but Spruce Meadows last year was really my first big international show with him, so I know him the best at this venue. The horse obviously likes it here, so I know that day one I can ask him to go and do his job.”

With a win under his belt, Judge has his sights set on Saturday’s grand prix and also looks forward to defending his title in the $210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup Derby, which he won last year aboard HH Dark de la Hart.

“This win gives me a big confidence boost,” Judge noted. “We all come here to Spruce Meadows trying to be guns loaded and ready to be competitive going into the first week. It gives me confidence that the plan I made coming up to this was right and my horses are ready to go. Having one win earlier in the week takes a little of the weight off my shoulders to be able to concentrate on the weekend.”

Lamaze Starts Out Strong

The next competition of the day was the $34,000 Back On Track 1.50m, which was held in a one round speed format. Thirteen out of 31 entries cleared the course, and Eric Lamaze completed the fastest clear round in 61.06 seconds for the win aboard Artisan Farms LLC and Torrey Pines Stable’s Rosana du Park.

Just fractions of a second separated the top three, with Conor Swail (IRL) and Ariel and Susan Grange’s Grafton stopping the clock in 61.13 seconds to finish in reserve, and McLain Ward (USA) with Double H Farm’s HH Carlos Z finishing third in 61.60 seconds.

Lamaze
Eric Lamaze and Rosana du Park

Following his win, along with a second place finish in the first competition of the day, Lamaze commented on the great afternoon that kicked off the ‘National’ Tournament.

“The first day is always an important day,” he stated. “I love doing well here. It is fun. It doesn’t matter if the stands are full or empty; it is still a five-star. You get ranking points and you get good prize money, so I love competing.”

Lamaze and Rosana du Park had a fantastic winter jumping at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, with multiple wins. The ten-year-old Selle Francais mare (by Kannan) then placed on the Longines Global Champions Tour in Miami and continued on to good results competing in Antwerp and Rome.

“She is super. She is going to be a great horse,” Lamaze noted. “She can do a grand prix and she can do a speed competition. I love those horses. She can do both.”

Although the mare has been jumping very well, Lamaze was careful to put her in the right level to get things started on the grass field this week.

“She is usually very timid here on the grass, so that is why I chose that competition today,” Lamaze explained. “Last year it was too much for her almost; even the 1.45m and 1.50m felt too much. Carly Anthony rode her for me last year and then I took her over a little bit toward the end, but she felt very timid. She was still a fairly green horse that was very careful then. She was really holding herself up, but this year she feels really different. She really handled it beautifully. It is just a year later, more mileage, more everything, so I am very happy.”

Rodriguez Earns First International Ring Victory

International competition concluded on Wednesday with the $34,000 Bantrel Cup, held over a 1.50m speed track, with 46 starters and eight clear rounds. Tenth in the order, Venezuela’s Andres Rodriguez and Arao Enterprises LLC’s Fifty Fifty 111 sped to the lead in 63.92 seconds and held on to the end for their first win in Spruce Meadow’s International Ring.

Conor Swail was the runner up in 64.31 seconds with Susan Grange’s Simba de la Roque. Brazil’s Rodrigo Lambre was first to go and placed third overall with his time of 66.25 seconds riding Mario Onate’s Charielle.

Andres Rodriguez and Fifty Fifty 111
Andres Rodriguez and Fifty Fifty 111

Rodriguez has owned Fifty Fifty 111, a ten-year-old Belgian Warmblood (Action Breaker x Major de la Cour), since the mare was five years old. He purchased the horse from Eric Lamaze and brought her up through the levels. ‘Fifty’ has continued to develop and Rodriguez started the season with the goal of competing her in the derbies at Spruce Meadows this summer. With a win on the field to start the Series, he looks forward to Sunday’s first derby competition.

“I really wanted to win a competition in the big ring this year. We brought ten horses and I brought a few good horses that I thought could do it. To win on the first day is an amazing feeling,” the rider said of his victory. “We have been training for the derby. It is actually going to be my first derby in my career, but we have practiced everything and the way she jumped today, if she keeps jumping like that Sunday might be a great day.”

“She just keeps developing and she keeps surprising me, so why not?” Rodriguez continued. “From that generation of horses born in 2005, I had six horses, and when they were seven we cut down to four. She was not the most talented of all of them, but the one thing she had was that she always wanted to do everything right. There were more talented horses in the pack, but she was always trying to produce clear rounds and she ended up being the best by far.”

Fifty Fifty 111 will now rest up for the derby on Sunday while Rodriguez competes his other top mounts. For the summer overall, his main goal is preparation for the Pan American Games that will qualify teams for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

“You can feel the Pan American ambience in Spruce Meadows right now. Everybody is trying to put their teams together here,” Rodriguez noted. “I think for the first time really the Venezuelan team is working together. We are all on the same page and we are all really trying. We agreed that the best plan was for all of us to go to Spruce Meadows together as a team to try to get our horses comfortable. We knew we were going to have good footing and good courses. It is the best training we can get before we go there. It is very important for us because Venezuela has never jumped as a team in an Olympic Games. For any athlete, the Olympics are as high as you can get, so we are really trying to make that happen.”

Also showing on Wednesday, Leslie Howard (USA) earned the first international win of the week in the All Canada Ring this morning. Howard guided her own and Peter Howard’s Lennox Lewis 2 to victory in the $8,000 Thompson Family Cup 1.45m, a one round speed course set by USA’s Anthony D’Ambrosio. Mexico’s Antonio Maurer finished second aboard Everado Coronado’s Portena. Brazil’s Rodrigo Lambre and Mario Onate’s Melbourne placed third.

The Spruce Meadows ‘National’ Tournament, presented by Rolex, continues on Thursday featuring the $34,000 ATCO Pipelines Cup 1.50m, the $34,000 Westmoreland Coal Cup 1.50m, and the $85,000 ATB Financial Cup 1.55m.

For a complete tournament schedule and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Based in Calgary, Canada, Spruce Meadows is the creation of the Southern family who built a Show Jumping complex at the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains. It was in 1976 that the first Spruce Tournaments were held, with annual spectator attendances reaching over 50,000 by the end of the decade. Today, Spruce Meadows boasts one of the greatest outdoor equestrian venues in the world and offers an incredible experience for riders and fans alike. Spruce Meadows focuses on the organization and hosting of show jumping tournaments of unmatched quality for junior, amateur and professional athletes in a manner that reflects basic family values in a clean, green and welcoming environment that celebrates the horse and encourages the breeding and training of quality sport horses and the teaching and development of athletes. For more information on Spruce Meadows, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., FEI

William Fox-Pitt Returns to World Eventing Number One Slot

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Back at the top: William Fox-Pitt (GBR), whose win at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials 2015 made him the first rider in history to win there on a stallion (Chilli Morning), is now back as world Eventing number one. (Jon Stroud/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 4 June 2015 – William Fox-Pitt (GBR), the multiple Olympic, World and European medallist, is back as world Eventing number one after victory in last month’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, fourth leg of the FEI Classics™.

He had held on to the world number one slot for a year until last month, when Michael Jung (GER), who became the first Eventing athlete to hold the European, world and Olympic titles simultaneously in 2012, jumped to the top of the FEI World Eventing Rankings for the first time in his career.

Fox-Pitt and Jung have now switched places again, with Fox-Pitt holding a 15-point lead over second-placed Jung. The USA’s Boyd Martin is in third, just one point ahead of Andrew Nicholson (NZL) in fourth on 486 points.

Four of the world’s most successful female Eventing athletes are now in the FEI World Eventing Rankings top 10. Jonelle Price (NZL), fifth, is just 50 points ahead of London 2012 Olympic team gold medallist Ingrid Klimke (GER) in sixth, while Belgium’s Karin Donckers has dropped one place to eighth. Nicola Wilson (GBR), London 2012 Olympic team silver medallist, now completes the top 10 after her meteoric rise from 18th, and slots in just 21 points behind Jonelle Price’s husband Tim in ninth.

View the full FEI World Eventing Rankings here.

Longines FEI European Championships 2015 – less than 100 days to go

Fox-Pitt, who scored individual bronze at the FEI European Eventing Championships 2013 in Malmö (SWE), has helped Great Britain to six of its 14 European team golds. However, the last European Championships marked the first time in 20 years that Great Britain had not won a team medal. Fox-Pitt will be looking to set this record straight at the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships 2015 at Blair Castle in the Scottish Highlands on 10-13 September (see video here).

About William Fox-Pitt

William Fox-Pitt (46) represented Great Britain throughout his teenage years, winning individual silver at the Junior European Championships in 1987, Young Rider team gold at the European Championships in 1988 and 1989, and completed Badminton at the age of 20.

His first Burghley win five years later established him as a regular on the senior British team and guaranteed him a ticket to the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games. He has since represented Great Britain consistently, winning team silver at the London 2012 and Athens 2004 Olympic Games, and team bronze at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

He secured team gold and individual silver at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2010 in Kentucky (USA), team silver at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2006 in Aachen (GER) and team bronze at the 2002 edition of the Games in Jerez (ESP), as well as six European team gold medals, one team bronze, two individual silvers and individual bronze.

Fox-Pitt has also won a total of 55 CCIs (international three-day events), including a record 14 CCI4*s, which are the world’s top international events: Badminton (2004 and 2015, when he became the first rider in history to win there on a stallion), Burghley six times (1994, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2011 when he became the first rider to win a record six Burghley titles on six different horses), Luhmühlen (2008), Pau twice (2011 and 2013) and Kentucky three times (2010, 2012 and 2014).

Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Classic Company, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Atlanta Summer Classic Countdown and Biosecurity Review

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Harold Chopping and Caramo won last summer’s $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

Entries are piling up for the upcoming Atlanta Summer Classic set to take center stage at the Georgia International Horse Park June 10 through the 21st and it is shaping up to be another fabulous Classic Company event! For those of you who have not entered, the prize lists are online and you can still enter at horseshowsonline.com.

The Classic Company has always prided itself on its commitment to provide both equine and humans a safe, healthy competition. And, healthy horses mean happy riders. The upcoming Atlanta Summer Classic is no exception. To protect our equine partners, the following protocol will continue to be enforced:

  • A current negative Coggins test is required. It is strongly recommended that all horses be vaccinated for Equine EHV-1 (either modified live or killed vaccine) no sooner than 7 days prior and no later than 90 days prior to entering the show grounds. Most EHV-1 vaccines are only considered effective for 90 days. Check with your veterinarian about which vaccine you should use.
  • A Health Certificate must be signed by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days of arrival at the show or whatever local state law requires.
  • Current vaccination against WNV, EEE, WEE, Tetanus and Rabies is strongly recommended.
  • You should be able to document your horse’s normal temperature before arrival. Please do not ship horses with elevated temperatures. It is recommended that you establish a log of temperatures taken at least twice daily. If there is an elevated temperature for more than a 24 hour period, please consult your local veterinarian immediately.
  • Every effort should be made to minimize stress and comingling of horses shipped long distances. Extra hours on a horse van, or moving from stable to stable is the fastest way to compromise your horses and the health of your neighbors’ horses.
  • Any horse on the show grounds with a fever of unknown origin or of suspicious origin must be reported to Show Management and to the Show Veterinarian. It is always better to err on the side of safety. Isolation stalls will either be available on the grounds or at a local veterinary practice if the need arises.
  • Please take the time to review equine good hygiene practices. Please convey the importance of this to your equine caretakers for their daily routines.

The Classic Company strives to provide a safe and enjoyable show experience. An important part of that experience is maintaining healthy horses. All updates will be posted on the Classic Company website.

Hassinger Equine Sports Medicine continues to be the Official Veterinarian Group for the Atlanta Classics. If you need to contact them prior to the show, visit their website or call 910.281.4845.

The two weeks of AA shows are as magnificent as the Olympic Arena with special events, clinics, derbies, grand prix and something for everyone! For the jumpers, weekly .85m training jumpers through 1.40m open jumpers and everything in between including grand prix with plenty of prize money for all!

Hunter offerings include every hunter class from pony and junior hunters to amateur-owners, regular working, pre-green as well as the pre-green incentive and challenge classes, and the Take II Thoroughbred divisions. Weekly National Hunter Derbies and the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Week top off Week II.

Week One Is Wonderful!

The USHJA Emerging Athletes Program takes place June 8 through June 11 which welcomes young riders accepted into the program who look toward furthering their education, not only as riders, but as complete horsemen.

During the extensive four-day training sessions, riders at the Atlanta Summer Classic have the opportunity to work with top riding clinicians and some of the country’s leading stable managers. Riders and horses participating in Regionals will be instructed on flatwork, gymnastics, related distances and course work, as well as an intensive stable management curriculum that will incorporate proper care and grooming, horsemanship skills, and barn management. Riders will also complete a written test as part of their evaluation for the National Training Session.

All Hunter Classics for each Hunter Section in the Atlanta Cup Equitation, ponies, will take place Week I. Thursday’s highlights include the $15,000 Horseflight Open Welcome and the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby and Friday features the $5,000 Futures Class. The popular $10,000 Six Bar Class, presented by Regions Private Wealth Management, will be held Friday night during the Annual Outback Steakhouse Dinner to benefit the Hope Clinic. Outback Steakhouse’s finest food will be served during the special event and tickets can be purchased at the show office. Saturday the $35,000 Outback Steakhouse Grand Prix takes center stage and Sunday is Classic Sunday with Classics for all! Week I offers all hunter classics for each hunter section in the Atlanta Cup Equitation, ponies and is also a World Championship Hunter Member Event and riders are eligible for inclusion in special national and regional point standings.

Week II: The Best Just Keeps Getting Better!

Week II starts early with a USHJA Zone 4 complimentary clinic by renowned trainer Mary Babick on Monday, June 15th. This is a very popular event and spots fill quickly. For more information and to register, please email Clinic Coordinator Janet McCarroll at janet@gulfcoastclassiccompany.com. There are only a few spots that remain open, so act soon!

The educational opportunities continue with a special clinic presented by the Georgia Hunter Jumper Association on Tuesday, June 16th featuring the legendary Jack Towell. Stay tuned for registration details!

The Emerson Burr Horsemanship program for pony riders also takes place Week II. The Emerson Burr Horsemanship Grant is awarded at the Zone and National level. Each winner at the zone level will receive a $100 grant to be used towards educational or equestrian related expenses. Each Emerson Burr winner during Pony Finals will receive a $500 grant to be used towards educational or equestrian related expenses. See Kelly Lowry in the show office for further details!

The Atlanta Cup Equitation, horses, takes place Week II as well as the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby. Thursday offers the $15,000 Nalley Toyota Stonecrest Open Welcome and Friday features the $5,000 Futures Class and the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. Saturday sees the $35,000 Classic Company Grand Prix, presented by EMO, take to the Olympic stadium and Sunday is dedicated to the Classics!

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

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Christine McCrea and Wannick WH Top $25,000 Tryon Grand Prix

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Christine McCrea and Wannick WH. Photos ©Sportfot.

Lucas Porter Has Banner Day with Top Finishes in ASPCA Maclay and $25,000 Tryon Grand Prix

Mill Spring, NC – May 31, 2015 – Christine McCrea of East Windsor, CT and Candy Tribble’s Wannick WH concluded Tryon Spring 7 with a win in the $25,000 Grand Prix at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). The duo bested the six-horse jump-off with a time of 41.528 seconds. Lucas Porter and Sleepy P Ranch, LLC’s Doma Sue finished followed in second, completing the course in 44.517 seconds. Kady Abrahamson and Abrahamson Equestrian LLC’s Bamiro placed in third, riding clear in 45.322 seconds. Competition at TIEC begins again on Wednesday, June 3, with the start of Tryon Spring 8 CSI 4*, the last week of the Tryon Spring Series.

McCrea and Wannick WH were the last pair in the George H. Morris Stadium for the jump-off, riding in hot on the heels of Lucas Porter and Doma Sue, who had just put in the fastest clear round of the jump-off. McCrea had scoped out the tracks she believed would save her time on course and made two bold inside turns to ultimately finish three seconds faster than Porter.

“Winning here in Tryon feels great. It’s our first time here and I was so impressed with how everything went this week. I thought this class would be great for him so we went today and got really lucky,” said McCrea.

The duo has built a solid partnership together as Wannick WH has been with the McCreas for nearly seven years. McCrea knows the ins-and-outs of the stallion’s style and the win today served as a great moment for the pair.

“We’ve had him forever. We bought him when he was five-and-a-half and now he’s twelve. It’s like putting on an old sneaker, you just know. I can feel really secure about what I think is going to happen and hopefully it does happen,” she commented. “He’s just a really good horse and he really tries. He’s a bit on the smaller side and for him to jump these big jumps is really cool. He gives you a great feeling.”

Abrahamson and Porter were the first two riders to finish with clear rounds in the jump-off and McCrea knew she was going to have to ride competitively to keep all of the rails up and lay down a fast and efficient ride.

“The kids really put the pressure on this old lady today,” laughed McCrea. “To be honest, I wasn’t sure that I wanted to go inside to the double because it was quite short but I said to myself, ‘Okay, we’re going inside of the double and if you clear that then you have to make an effort to get inside of the next two standards,'” she explained. “I sort of forced that turn but he slowed down and that allowed me to turn him quite tight and I got a great line. It really worked out to my advantage. It almost gave him enough of a half halt to rock back on his hocks, which pushed us through the next fence.

Christine and her husband Jonathan will stay at TIEC to contest the next week of FEI CSI 4* competition before returning to Connecticut for small summer break. The duo has a strong string of horses here and will look to continue their winning ways moving into Tryon Spring 8 next week.

“We’ll be here for next week and then we’ll head back to Connecticut for a bit. I haven’t been home since December so I’m really looking forward to spending some time there. We’ll do some of the more local stuff there, but will 100% be coming back here within the year. We’ve already put it on the schedule,” commented McCrea. “We love it here and I think what Mark [Bellissimo] is doing with the FEI classes, for me as a rider, is what I want and it’s what we’ve all been begging for. We’re so thrilled to be here and to win this class was just great.”

Adding TIEC into their show schedule has been a huge advantage for McCrea, as she can not only compete in FEI sanctioned competitions on U.S. soil, something she has been looking forward to for a long time, but also gives her the opportunity to choose from a wide range of classes and decide which are most fitting for her horses.

“I think the footing has been perfect. It has a give and it feels soft but firm. You can turn in it without slipping. The layout of the facility is really cool and I like the way it’s starting to layout,” said McCrea. I realize there’s a lot more work to do, but I can say that if it was just this alone, it’s amazing, but I think moving forward with the plans is just going to make it that much better and we’re really excited for that.”

Lucas Porter Has Banner Day with Top Finishes in ASPCA Medal Maclay and $25,000 Tryon Grand Prix

Lucas Porter has been a force at Tryon International Equestrian Center this week, collecting several top finishes in both the jumper and equitation rings. Finishing his first week of competition at TIEC, Porter collected second place in the $25,000 Tryon Grand Prix after winning the ASPCA Medal Maclay earlier in the day. Porter rode Sleepy P Ranch, LLC’s Punch to victory in the Maclay and piloted Sleepy P Ranch’s Doma Sue to a second place finish in the Grand Prix.

Lucas Porter and Doma Sue
Lucas Porter and Doma Sue

“I got Doma Sue from David Blake last August and I competed her in the High Junior classes in Wellington and just started making the move to Grand Prix in the past few months. This is my first really great result on her at this level so I’m really pleased with how it went,” commented Porter. “I thought the course was great for the number of starters and I thought there were a perfect amount of clears and I was fortunate to come towards the end in the jump-off. I wanted to put in a really tidy clear and she did.”

Porter and his equitation mount Punch gathered wins in the ASPCA Maclay and the USEF Pessoa Hunt Seat Medal during Tryon Week 7. Punch has been an important horse in Porter’s young career, as he has helped him to better his position and give him experience in the equitation and hunter rings.

“He’s really a hybrid. He used to be a jumper and then my trainer and I thought that we needed to work on my position so he started to do some of the equitation and he’s turned out to be a perfect horse for it,” said Porter. “He’s slow tempered and he has a big stride, which has made him ideal in those classes.”

When Porter is competing, it is all hands on deck to ensure that he gets to each of his rings on-time, as he has a number of horses entered in classes throughout the grounds. Today was no different, as he hopped off of his ride in the Junior/Amateur Owner Medium Classic and headed straight to the equitation ring for the ASPCA Maclay and the USEF Pessoa Hunt Seat Medal.

“I rode the Maclay first and was able to use that to an advantage in the USEF Pessoa Hunt Seat Medal because I already knew the lines and the striding in between the jumps and I tried to do the same thing in both,” he commented. “He was perfect just like Doma and everything worked out perfectly today, in the Grand Prix and in both of those classes.”

The Porters and the Sleepy P Ranch team will continue competing at TIEC through Tryon Spring 8 of the Spring Series and have been thoroughly impressed with the facility and competition.

“The facility here is unbelievable. The rings are huge and the barns are incredibly nice. I personally like the ample schooling rings, which allows you school your horses in a calm place if you want to get away from the rest of the show,” commented Porter. “The weather here is perfect and we’ve all been really happy. I want to thank the Bellissimos for putting on this show and the sponsors for supporting these classes and to my sponsors for helping me get to where I am.”

Tryon Spring 8 CSI 4* will begin on Wednesday, June 3, and will continue through Sunday, June 7. Tryon Spring 8 will be the biggest week of the Tryon Spring Series, hosting FEI CSI 4* competition alongside an array of activities for the general public to enjoy at the venue including the Festival of the Carolinas Craft Beer Festival, the unveiling of the Rolex Clock Tower and much more on Saturday, June 6. For more information on the competition and the events to come at TIEC, please visit www.tryon.com. Please “Like” the TIEC Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tryonresort to be eligible for various contests and promotions.

About Tryon International Equestrian Center

The Tryon International Equestrian Center is destined to become one of the premier centers in the equestrian world. This new facility opened in June 2014 with sanctioned horse shows and initial supporting amenities including 10 riding arenas, 850 permanent stalls, a covered riding facility and fitness center. Future expansion includes a sports complex, two hotels, sporting clay course, and an 18-hole golf course plus a full calendar of equestrian competitions and activities. It is a spring, summer and fall haven for eastern and northeastern American equestrian competitors and enthusiasts. For more information, call 828-863-1000 or visit www.tryon.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Show Jumping

Scott Brash Wins Second Major to Make History in Aachen, Germany

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Aachen, Germany, 31 May 2015 – History was made today at the World Equestrian Festival Aachen in Germany when Scott Brash, riding Hello Sanctos, won the first equestrian Major of the year, the Rolex Grand Prix, and his second stage of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Scott Brash is the first rider to achieve this remarkable feat since the introduction of the sport’s ultimate challenge in 2013, and goes to the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ in September hoping to be the only rider in history to win all three Majors in succession.

Germany’s Daniel Deusser riding Cornet d’Amour was second and France’s Simon Delestre on Ryan des Hayettes was third.

The World Equestrian Festival at Aachen, reduced in length to accommodate the European Championships later in the year, is considered by both the riders and fans as one of the finest equestrian competitions in the world. On the final day, even the cool weather which carried a chill in the air, did not affect the enthusiasm of the packed 45,000 capacity crowd who flooded in to watch the Rolex Grand Prix, the highlight of the three days.

The Rolex Grand Prix is notoriously challenging, and the riders who make the annual pilgrimage expect to be asked the toughest questions by course designer Frank Rothenberger. Initially it appeared as if clear rounds would be hard to come by, with many of the big names in the competition collecting penalties, but by the time all 40 riders had tackled the 13 obstacle course in the first round, Scott Brash, winner of the Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Geneva in December, led by less than half a second.

Ten riders were faultless going into Round 2, including Rolex Testimonees Kevin Staut and Kent Farrington; this was then reduced down to seven who went into the final jump off – little did the 45,000 spectators realise what was about to play out in front of them.

The riders always acknowledge the special role played by the spectators at Aachen, and the crowd did not fail to live up to expectation. Though naturally highly supportive of the German combinations, every horse and rider who entered the arena, regardless of which country they were from, were willed over every jump as the tension increased following each round in the jump off.

The first three riders all had a pole down, and then Germany’s Daniel Deusser set the benchmark with a clear round in what looked like an incredible time of 48.37 seconds.

The legendary Ludger Beerbaum, an Aachen favourite, followed and he too produced a clear round, but he could not match the time set by Deusser. France’s Simon Delestre was next to go clear, but was also not quick enough – the home crowd was beginning to think that the Rolex Grand Prix title could be staying in Germany.

Last into the arena was World No. 1 Scott Brash; his round started off slow, but his wonder horse Hello Sanctos made up time over the second half of the course, crossing the line in a nail biting 48.04 seconds to win the Rolex Grand Prix to a standing ovation and rapturous applause from the crowd.

Brash2Talking about his victory, Scott Brash said, “I don’t think it has quite sunk in yet; it has been my dream to win Aachen, so to win is a dream come true. I am ecstatic.

“What makes Aachen so special is the crowd; to jump in front of 45,000 people that are also very knowledgeable is great for us riders and brings out the best in us.”

Having started his Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping winning ‘cycle’ in Geneva, Scott Brash now travels to the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’, 9-13 September 2015, to compete for the sport’s ultimate challenge and the €1m bonus. “To win one leg is already hard enough; to win two is extremely difficult; to win three is going to be really hard, but it would be silly not to try so I will definitely try and win it,” he said.

Rolex Testimonee Isabell Werth had another successful year in the Dressage at Aachen riding her bay gelding Don Johnson FRH. Producing a technically precise test in the Grand Prix, Werth claimed victory with a final score of 76.300%. The horse and rider combination continued to impress in the Freestyle producing an eye pleasing performance, with a final score of 81.200%, securing second place.

Talking about the two competitions, Isabell Werth said, “I am very pleased. Johnny was really good in both tests; the first was a win and the second was very close, and to come second in such a close final is not a shame and I am really happy with Johnny. It is great to be here and to have this show; Aachen is always very special; it is a great mixture of top sports, event and entertainment which makes it so special.”

To view the Rolex Grand Prix results, please click here.

Website:
www.rolex.com

Media Contacts:
Revolution Sports + Entertainment
Rod Kohler
rod@revolutionsports.co.uk
+44 7770 647 662

Competitions

American Saddlebred and Hackney Champions Crowned

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Ashlee Wheaton and CH Extremely Fortunut.

Ashlee Wheaton was not sure what results to expect at her second Devon Horse Show. She and her American Saddlebred mare, CH Extremely Fortunut, had a fantastic first year showing together in 2014, when they were champions at Devon and went on to earn the title of World’s Champion of Champions Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure. In 2015, the pair moved up into the Adult division, taking on a new set of competitors.

Wheaton proved she could handle the challenge Saturday night, riding CH Extremely Fortunut to the Three-Gaited English Country Pleasure Horse Championship.

“I am so excited,” the 19-year-old said after collecting her tricolor. “It means that my hard work has paid off.”

To compete at Devon, Wheaton flew in from her home in Nova Scotia. Her horse, nicknamed Chalupa, is based in New Hampshire with Cater Stables, and she travels back and forth to train and prepare for shows. She feels Devon is a special experience.

“I love it,” she said. “I think it’s so cool at night under the lights. We don’t really get to do that very often.”

Maureen Quackenbush is competing at her first Devon Horse Show, and she will be taking home great memories and a tricolor ribbon. She and C B Party Girl clinched the Hackney/Harness Pony Pleasure Driving Championship Saturday afternoon.

“I’m so excited,” Quackenbush said. “It’s fantastic. It means a lot. This is the home of the Hackney; the show is all about the Hackney. To come here and actually win something is great.”

She added, “Everyone said you’ve got to do it at least once in your lifetime. I’m not getting any younger, so that’s why I’m here!”

Quackenbush and C B Party Girl, a 7-year-old mare, have been competing together for the past year. After a string of good results, she thought Devon might be worth the trip from her home in upstate New York, and the decision paid off.

“We did some winning last year, so we figured we’d come down here and try it!” she said.

Hillcroft Farm had a strong showing Saturday night. Misdee Wrigley Miller started the evening by riding Moonbeams and Dreams to first place in the Three-Gaited Saddle Horse Amateur Stake. Her husband, James Miller, captured both the Single Roadster Horse Championship on Ring of Fire and the Five-Gaited Saddle Horse Amateur Stake on CH Fox Grape’s Dauntless.

The Hicks family also impressed throughout the day. Danny Hicks drove Janet Hicks’ Jackie O to the Single Roadster Pony Amateur Championship Saturday afternoon. Rodney Hicks then picked up three wins in the evening: the Hackney Pony Championship with Ed Ochsenschlager’s The Spiderman, the Single Hackney Horse Championship with Ed Ochsenschlager’s Heartland Good, and the Harness Pony Championship with David & Kierstin Cater’s Mimi.

Janet Sterba earned multiple tricolors as well, taking the Five-Gaited English Show Pleasure Horse Championship with CH Callaway’s Born for This and the Fine Harness Horse Amateur Championship with CH Caraway’s New York Minute, owned by Janet and Jeff Sterba.

Mary Adelaide Brakenridge for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Championships, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Katie Robinson and Amarillo Awarded Grand Amateur-Owner Championship

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Katie Robinson and Amarillo.

Katie Robinson and Amarillo have won tricolors up and down the East Coast, but until Saturday there was one that neither of them had earned: a Devon Horse Show championship. That changed this weekend as Robinson claimed not only the Amateur-Owner Over 35 Hunter championship, but also Devon’s highest Amateur-Owner Hunter honor: the Grand Amateur-Owner championship title.

“It’s as special as it gets. For me and for this sport – this is it. This and the National [Horse Show],” Robinson said. “I’ve been showing here since my teenage years, and I’ve been reserve but never champion. This is my first time, and I’m really, really, really happy. I’m glad it was with Milo because he’s a good boy. He’s my steady guy.”

Robinson and Amarillo kicked off the division on Friday with two scores of 88, earning them back-to-back blue ribbons in the day’s over fences classes. Robinson then returned Saturday morning to earn two more identical scores, giving her and Amarillo the second place spot in the stake class and the blue ribbon victory in the handy.

“[The handy] is something that we’ve been really, really working a lot on, Andre [Dignelli] and Brady [Mitchell] and I,” Robinson said, referencing the team at Heritage Farm, with whom she trains.

“We practice over low jumps at home and just work on getting more comfortable with the turning and the changes. They’re hard; handies are hard. It really has paid off. We got lucky we were able to win it. That was great.

“We’ve also been working on just galloping and cantering and trying to jump jumps out of pace, which I really felt like I was doing particularly in the last class,” Robinson said in reference to her stake round. “I loved that class. I know I didn’t win it, but the round was fun. It was such a fun ride on both of my horses. They were great.”

Robinson’s second mount in the division, Tradewind, was also successful throughout both days, finishing second in the handy round on Saturday.

“I was a little nervous my first time in because they’re not old horses. They’ve not done a lot,” Robinson said of Amarillo and Tradewind, both 8. “They definitely brought their attention, and they jumped really, really well. They tried hard, and it was fun. I just had a really fun weekend. Andre and Brady have been so good to me. They have been really patient and worked really hard, and I really appreciate it.”

Finishing as the reserve champions in the Amateur-Owner Over 35 Hunters were Ellen Toon and Mirror Image.

In the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters, the championship went to another first time champion, Taylor Willever and her mare, Whisper.

“I haven’t been champion at anything major yet,” Willever said. “I’ve been reserve like four times so it means a lot. It’s very awesome. Especially with [Whisper].”

This year marks Willever’s fourth year showing at Devon and second year showing with Whisper, an 8-year-old Holsteiner mare imported by Cindy Bohn of Heron Hills.

“We were trying other horses, and we just happened to come across a video online,” Willever, who trains with Troy Hendricks, her mother Joni Willever and her sister Hayley Willever said. “We hurried over [to Heron Hills] and tried her and rode her for about 10 minutes and then bought her the next day!”

Willever continued, “In the beginning, she was pretty jumper-y. She got really excited in the handies. She thought that they were quite fun. Over the past year and a half she’s totally settled in. Her jump has gotten way more hunter-y. She’s become really handy. She’s gotten more acclimated to the hunter jumps. She used to kind of look at them, but she’s totally okay with them now.”

More than okay, Willever and Whisper competed successfully in the Amateur-Owner 18-35 3’3″ Hunters throughout their first year together, receiving the reserve championship in the division at last year’s Devon Horse Show. This year, they made the move up to the 3’6″ division, and they have been champion at every horse show they have entered so far this year.

Finishing as reserve champions behind Willever and Whisper in the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters were Stephanie Danhakl and Golden Rule. Danhakl also earned the Amateur-Owner 18-35 3’3″ Hunter championship aboard Enough Said. The reserve championship in the division went to Reid Patton and Sincere.

In the Amateur-Owner Over 35 3’3″ Hunter division the championship went to Caroline Moran and Bacardi, and the reserve championship was presented to Dorli Burke and Charming.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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Competitions, Show Jumping

Kaitlin Campbell and Rocky W Conquer $50,000 Idle Dice Open Jumper Stake

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Kaitlin Campbell and Rocky W.

Every rider hopes to have that special horse that carries them through the ranks, and for Saturday night’s $50,000 Idle Dice Open Jumper Stake winner Kaitlin Campbell, that horse is Rocky W. Now 17 years old, the Royal Dutch Warmblood carried Campbell to both a Junior Jumper Championship and an Amateur-Owner Jumper Championship at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, and this year the impressive duo rode away with the Open Jumper Championship.

“I think that’s pretty rare to be junior jumper, amateur jumper and open jumper all on the same horse,” smiled Campbell, who is now a professional working for Marigot Bay Farm. “I’ve had him since he was 8. We know each other so well now.”

Twenty-five combinations entered the Dixon Oval to compete during Saturday’s highlight event. The first rider to complete Michel Vaillancourt’s opening round without error was Olympian McLain Ward and Sagamore Farms’ Rothchild. The duo went on to be the pathfinders in the tiebreaker, setting the pace to beat at 40.236 seconds.

Their time would not hold up for long when 2013 Idle Dice Stake winners Campbell and Rocky W entered the arena. The pair picked up a quick gallop to the first obstacle and, taking the inside track, they overtook Ward’s time by a full second when they broke the beam at 39.007 seconds.

“Going after Rothchild you pretty much have to go for broke and hope that you get lucky,” admitted Campbell. “That’s really all you can do. Rocky’s really fast across the jumps. He’s a little bit of a skimmer, but he knows where his legs are. That’s where I really think we saved time, across the jump.”

Daniel Damen and Bahrain 8, owned by Seth Vallhornrat, also qualified for the jump-off, but a refusal trying to slice a vertical across the middle meant they would settle for fourth place. Hometown hero Callan Solem of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, took home the third place award with B Amelusina for Horseshow Trail Partners, choosing to keep a conservative pace with her young mount.

After leading the victory gallop for the $50,000 Idle Dice Open Jumper Stake, Campbell and Rocky W returned to the center of the Dixon Oval to accept the Open Jumper Championship, tying with Kelli Cruciotti and Chamonix H, winners of the $100,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon. The Leading Lady Rider Challenge Trophy also went to Campbell for her performance during this year’s Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, an event that has always been special for her.

“It’s the crowd,” noted Campbell. “It’s the only horse show all year that has a crowd this enthusiastic that is six rows deep, standing room only, and they come to watch the jumping. There’s no other entertainment that they’re coming for. They’re here to watch the jumping, and they get so into it. For sure it pumps Rocky up. It pumps the riders up, and it makes all the difference. ”

The crowd also made a difference for Ward who, in addition to placing second and sixth on Saturday night, won three events earlier in the week to capture the Leading Open Jumper Rider award for the third time in four years.

“Leading rider is always great,” expressed Ward. “It shows consistency throughout a show, which is something to always be proud of. This is such a special venue with as good of crowds as anywhere in the world. They’ve really done great things here with the facility and with the footing. It’s nice to be able to support it and be part of it and hopefully have some success.”

Earlier in the day, the Amateur-Owner Jumpers competed in their highlight event, the $20,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. After winning a class on Friday, Adrienne Sternlicht came back for a second victory with Quidam MB.

Five combinations advanced to the jump-off, with Haley Gassel setting the pace to beat aboard Werner. They turned in a clear effort in 34.891 seconds. Their lead would not hold for long though, and Sternlicht galloped over the track with veteran mount. The duo left out a stride in the first two lines, and with a tight turn to the double combination they finished in a clear and faster time of 33.59 seconds.

Kelsey Thatcher’s attempt to catch Sternlicht with Athena was thwarted when the pair had two refusals and was eliminated. Gassel returned with her second mount Quite Dark 2, but a rail at the third fence would mean third place with four faults in 33.387 seconds. Melissa Rudershausen tried to slice one of the verticals too hard aboard Charmeur Ask, resulting in a refusal and a rail for fourth place and sealing Sternlicht’s win.

“We have a real relationship,” said Sternlicht of Quidam MB. “I’ve had him for three years. We’ve developed together, and he’s such a winner. I feel so lucky to have him because he’s really, really special to me.”

Sternlicht and Quidam MB not only led the lap of victory for Saturday night’s event, but they also returned to the center of the Dixon Oval to accept the Amateur-Owner Jumper Championship and Amateur-Owner Jumper Leading Rider Award.

“This is my first leading rider,” smiled Sternlicht. “It’s nice that they have that. I think it holds a show in a certain sort of esteem, and the environment here is just amazing. The amount of spectators we get and people are so excited – I think it adds a little bit of pressure and a little intensity.”

Sternlicht concluded, “I want to say thank you to the sponsors. Their generosity and continued support of this show is amazing. It’s a really neat show. I hadn’t been back in a while, and it has certain esteem and significance that I haven’t experienced elsewhere in the states, so for that I say thank you.”

For more information about the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair and complete results, visit www.DevonHorseShow.org.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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*Featured/Spotlights, Show Jumping

Kristen Vanderveen Collects First Career FEI Win at $127,000 Kingsland Grand Prix CSI 3*

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Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili. Photos ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – May 30, 2015 – Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) hosted the first FEI Grand Prix of the season, showcasing the $127,000 Kingsland Grand Prix CSI 3* in the George H. Morris Stadium in front of the largest crowd to date. The class of 38 entries was led by Kristen Vanderveen (USA) aboard Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC’s Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili, who bested the jump-off with a time of 43.926 seconds, just a tenth of a second faster than Sharn Wordley (NZL) and Sky Group’s Casper who finished in second. Wordley also took home third place honors aboard his own Corino. Tryon Spring 7 concludes tomorrow with the $25,000 Grand Prix beginning at 2:15pm. The Tryon Spring Series will conclude next Sunday, June 7.

With her first ever FEI win, Vanderveen was all smiles leaving the ring after it was announced that she had barely edged Wordley in the jump-off as the last ride of the night. Vanderveen was aware of the time she needed to beat and decided to ride a bold jump-off round to go for the win.

“I had a really good feeling this morning when I woke up. You know you sometimes just wake up with that feeling and it was specifically for this horse too,” she smiled. “When I walked the course I thought it was a good course and I liked it because it was bigger than anything else we’ve seen this week. It was really friendly for the first FEI week, which I think is really appropriate and worked out great for me. I know he can turn extremely fast to the left and I went for it when we turned to the Kingsland combination in the jump-off and I think that’s how we got the win.”

The duo has only been partnered for a few months, as “Frosty” is a relatively new ride for Vanderveen, purchased from Europe during the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, only a short time ago. Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili came with an already impressive record, which Vanderveen felt pressure to uphold after she took over the ride.

“We’re relatively new together and he’s taken me a little bit of time to figure out because he’s really sensitive. The idea of coming to TIEC was to get all of my horses in a place where we could stay for the entire season so that I can work on my riding,” explained Vanderveen. “I have some new horses here and I wanted to make sure that we were in a place where we weren’t over stimulating them with travel and a ton of venues. I wanted a base where we could just get to know each other better.”

Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili is a powerful and stunning stallion with a very soft side according to Vanderveen, who says he’s a total ham in the barn. Not typically drawn to riding stallions, “Frosty” has been a pleasant surprise for her and she hopes that their partnership will continue to build in the coming weeks at TIEC with additional FEI classes on the horizon.

“He’s great and very experienced. We bought him knowing that he already had an accomplished record and I’ve just been waiting for us to click and start to understand each other and that definitely happened tonight,” she said. “In the warm-up on Thursday was when I really felt us starting to understand what the other was asking for. I felt a little bit different about how he wanted me to ride him and ever since that he’s been fantastic.”

The duo has started to string together very consistent performances and their potential continues to grow. Collecting their first major win together has been a highlight of Vanderveen’s time at TIEC and she is looking forward to continuing to strengthen their partnership in the coming months.

“He’s still relatively young; he just turned ten this year and there is definitely an adjustment period when you switch riders, which I think he’s still getting used to,” she commented. “Our partnership is starting to build and we’re beginning to trust each other more. I was transitioning him to a much lighter ride, which I don’t think he was used to and now he’s starting to trust that and we’re compromising so that I can get to where he’s comfortable too.”

Vanderveen also had another ride in the class, Bull Run’s Testify, her more seasoned partner, who finished in 13th with just a single time fault. The pair has consistently performed well this year and Vanderveen was thrilled with the results on both of her horses tonight.

“Testify is very natural for me. I absolutely love him. I’ve been having some issues with time faults, which is completely on me and he’s just been a superstar. His way of going is a little bit slower, so I have to figure out how to get to the next round,” she laughed. “Clean rounds are clean rounds. I couldn’t be asking for anything more from my horses. I’m so proud of the way they’ve been going.”

Sharn Wordley and Casper
Sharn Wordley and Casper

Vanderveen and Bull Run Jumpers will continue to base themselves at TIEC for the remainder of the summer season, with plans to contest the rest of the FEI classes being offered at the venue throughout the Summer Series to start in July. Finding a venue that allowed her business to stay in a central location for a significant period of time is what drew her to choosing TIEC as their summer destination hub.

“We’ll be here throughout the remainder of the summer, which has worked great in terms of us being able to give all of our horses, no matter the level, consistent and solid experience,” said Vanderveen. “This place is going to be amazing and everything has been spectacular. The footing has been great and we’re really excited for some of the amenities to come like the on-site trails and the derby field. It’s a really exciting place to be.”

Tryon Spring 7 concludes tomorrow with the highlight $25,000 Grand Prix in the George H. Morris Stadium, as well as several hunter classes crowning divisional champions throughout the day. For more information on TIEC and a full list of results, please visit www.tryon.com. Please “Like” the TIEC Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tryonresort to be eligible for various contests and promotions.

About Tryon International Equestrian Center

The Tryon International Equestrian Center is destined to become one of the premier centers in the equestrian world. This new facility opened in June 2014 with sanctioned horse shows and initial supporting amenities including 10 riding arenas, 850 permanent stalls, a covered riding facility and fitness center. Future expansion includes a sports complex, two hotels, sporting clay course, and an 18-hole golf course plus a full calendar of equestrian competitions and activities. It is a spring, summer and fall haven for eastern and northeastern American equestrian competitors and enthusiasts. For more information, call 828-863-1000 or visit www.tryon.com.

Driving, Phelps Media Group

Misdee Wrigley Miller Victorious in Return to Devon

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Misdee Wrigley Miller.

Misdee Wrigley Miller has proven her talent many times over in multiple equestrian disciplines. She has competed successfully in pleasure driving, racked up the ribbons in Saddlebred divisions, and traveled to the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France to represent the United States in combined driving.

Now, making her return to the Devon Horse Show, Wrigley Miller is in the spotlight again. She demonstrated her skill over five days of coaching competition to claim the championship.

“It was really special to come back and come back in a big way,” Wrigley Miller said.

The coaching division transports spectators back in time. Competitors dress to the nines to present their matched four-in-hand teams and antique vehicles, many over 100 years old. During the five classes of the division, entrants are judged on numerous qualities including performance, presentation and appointments.

The division ended Friday night with a timed competition over an obstacle course. Wrigley Miller added a third place finish in that class to three wins and a second place over the previous days of competition, clinching the championship.

“Coaching challenges me as a horsewoman, and I like that,” Wrigley Miller said. “It’s a good test, and it’s an accumulation of several nights.”

She and her team also have a strong presence in the Saddlebred divisions at Devon. She has two mounts in championship classes on Saturday, and her trainer, Larry Hodge, and husband, James Miller, are both competing as well.

“Devon is like coming home,” Wrigley Miller said. “It really is. The people here are so lovely. Being able to compete in front of a large and knowledgeable crowd is really special and something that we don’t do with the Saddlebreds so much. We basically show to ourselves. To be able to come here to Devon with the whole county fair atmosphere is so much fun. It’s so much more than a horse show. It’s an experience.”

Hodge rode Hillcroft Farm LLC’s Two Sweet to Kiss to victory in the Five-Gaited Saddle Horse Stake Friday evening, and taking the Three-Gaited Saddle Horse Stake was Luman Wadhams on Thunderboomer, owned by Overtime Farm LLC. Several of the Saddlebred, Hackney and Friesian divisions crowned their champions Friday night:

Western Country Pleasure Championship
Lynn Finelli and her own CH Winsdown Edgecliff

Fine Harness Championship
Smith Lilly and We Must Be Nuts, owned by Grace Arnold

Hackney Pony Amateur Championship
Kathleen Comeau and her own X-tremely Grand

Friesian Horse Pleasure Championship
Shawnda Smoker and her own Rouke H

Hackney/Harness Pony Amateur Championship
Carl Nichols and Crystal Creek’s Hot To Trot, owned by Kathryn Nichols

Show Pleasure Driving Championship
Cathy Rogers Holmes and her own Who

Roadster Pony Championship
Joe Harrod and Heartland River Dance, owned by Susanne Har

Mary Adelaide Brakenridge for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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