Tag Archives: Gavin Moylan

*Featured/Spotlights, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Tryon

Santiago Lambre and Con Rouet Clinch the Win in $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake

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Santiago Lambre and Con Rouet ©TIEC.

Mill Spring, NC – October 1, 2019 – Santiago Lambre (Wellington, FL) and Con Rouet claimed Thursday’s $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake after finishing the jump-off in a time of 41.829 seconds to kick off Tryon Fall 2 competition at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) at Tryon Resort. Johan Kachelhoffer (Princeton, NJ) aboard his own Copit Della Caccia, a 2008 Italian Warmblood stallion (Copito x Campbell), finished in second place with a jump-off time of 43.187 seconds, while Grant Seger (Corpus Christi, TX) piloted the Grey Fox Crossing-owned Dr. J, a 2008 Italian Warmblood gelding (Diamant de Semilly x Calando I), to round out the podium on a time of 41.369 seconds to earn third.

Course designer Nick Granat (Chicago, IL) had 12 horse-and-rider pairs in the initial round and welcomed back four entries in the jump-off. Although Lambre and the 2010 Oldenburg gelding (Conthargos x Balou Du Rouet) owned by Salvador Onate Barron came out in the lead after their final round, Con Rouet has been getting a break from jumping “as much” while Lambre competed at Saugerties, NY.

“Although this is his first week [back] now, Con Rouet is a super careful horse and very competitive,” Lambre explained. “The first round was not easy, especially for a national welcome, and I was not super-fast [in the jump-off] since there were only four, but it ended up being a good risk since the last rider [Grant Seger] was faster but had the last rail down.”

Con Rouet did not compete in Fall 2 competition following his win, but Lambre did return to Tryon Stadium for a win aboard Diathago in Saturday’s $25,000 Carolina Arena Equipment Grand Prix. “I’m preparing Con Rouet for Wellington to have him ready to do the speed classes there. I think his level is gonna be 1.45m, but that’s okay because if he’s fast it’s good. He’s going to be a really competitive horse,” Lambre concluded.

Gavin Moylan and String of Pearls Claim Champion in the Pulse Equine Performance Hunter Combined 3’3”/3’6” Division

The Pulse Equine Performance Hunter Combined 3’3”/3’6” Division saw Gavin Moylan (Middleburg, VA) and Priscilla Denegre’s String of Pearls come out on top for champion honors, while Colleen Acosta (Roanoke, TX) piloted Olive, owned by Ryann Grissom, to reserve honors.

Moylan shared that String of Pearls, who is owned by his wife’s mother, has been a member of his program for about five years and has been very successful. “I found her [String of Pearls] in Germany as a four-year-old and immediately she suited my wife’s mother, Penny Denegre, who has had horses with me for a long time and is a great supporter of this sport. She’s just been a winner since we’ve had her.”

Although Moylan enjoys showing the mare himself, he explained that “it’s really about Penny this year,” and that his main goal for String of Pearls is simply to prepare her to compete at the upcoming indoor shows. “Penny qualified for Harrisburg and Washington [International Horse Show], which is a big deal in the adults and we’re very excited for her to go there.”

For full results from the Pulse Equine Performance Hunter Combined 3’3”/3’6” Division, click here.

For full results from the $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake, click here.

To learn more, visit www.Tryon.com.

Competitions, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Riders Are All Smiles after Successful Week at HITS Culpeper for Showday National

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Photo Courtesy of ESI Photography.

Jennifer Brennan and Gavin Moylan Ride Away with Top Finishes in the Featured Hunter and Jumper Classes

Hunter, Jumper, and Equitation riders return to HITS Commonwealth Park for another week of USEF-Rated Show Jumping Competition. The Showday National featured over 400 classes, including qualifiers for the Marshall & Sterling Insurance League Finals and the HITS Championship, and of course the featured $20,000 ULCERGARD Open Prix. Riders would trot away with blue ribbons, championship titles, and smiles on their faces.

Professionals were ecstatic to be back at HITS Commonwealth Park to kick off the July Series. Ken Krome, USEF and FEI Course Designer and Judge, travelled from his farm in Westminster, Maryland to show at the Showday National in Culpeper, Virginia. Krome stated, “It was beautiful here this week. Rian Beals (Manager and Technical Coordinator) did a great job. The show grounds look the best it ever has, and the footing was tip top in every ring.” Krome had riders with top finishes in Hunter, Jumper, and Equitation classes. “From the schedule, to the in-gate staff to the office, everything ran smoothly and we’re looking forward to another great week,” Krome said, expressing his excitement for the show this week.

Ian Silitch, a well-known trainer and rider in Virginia, now based out of Ocala, Florida, said, “Culpeper really is a hidden gem! We came early this week, and everything was ready to go from the start. We could have started showing on Monday!” Silitch continued, “Coming to Culpeper always puts a smile on my face – it’s like coming home. The footing was perfect, the stabling is some of the best in the country, and the staff did a great job. The course designer got it just right on Sunday and [Rian] Beals has really taken the reins, and is always friendly and approachable.”

Randy Johnson, of Greener Pastures Equine in Clarksburg, Maryland, had a first and third place finish in the Junior/Amateur Jumper Classics on Sunday. Earlier in the week, he was reminiscing with Kristen Vale-Mosack, Show Office Manager, about their time showing here in the 1980s. “It was so nice to be in Culpeper this week, especially for those of us who feel like we grew up here!” he said.

In the Grand Prix Ring, riders jump-started the week with the $5,000 Open Welcome. Kicking the week off with a win was Melissa Runderhausen aboard CHARMEUR ASK in a time of 40.057. Finishing in second place would be Agustin Rosales aboard CAPELIUS S in a time of 41.865, followed by Shelly Zimmerli and her partner CHARDONAY HARAS DES BARRAGES in third with a time of 42.916. Taking home the white ribbon was Savannah Unger and FABIO TN, followed by Jennifer Brennan and MAC rounding out the top five.

Jumper riders joined us back in the Grand Prix Ring on Friday for the $10,000 Johnson Horse Transportation Prix where Cian McDermott and NEWCASTLE would add a win to their record. Mcdermott would fly to a first place finish, crossing the timers in 34.026. Ashley Foster would jump to second and fifth place finishes aboard LUMINOUS and DALIANTE M, respectively. Foster finished with her two equine partners in times of 34.403 and 37.072. Sarah Hubbard and GENIUS would claim the third place award in a time of 34.463. Returning to the Winners Circle and claiming the fourth place award in a time of 35.087 would be Brennan and MAC.

On Sunday, Jessica Rich and CAVALIER CLOVER BOY took home top honors in the $2,500 Jr./A-O/Am. 1.20m Jumper Classic in a time of 29.371.

In the $5,000 NAL Summit Joint Performance Jr./A-O/Am. 1.30m Jumper Classic, Randy Johnson and JADE VAN DE START would finish at the top of the standings in a time of 28.824.

Claiming top honors in the $7,500 Jr./A-O/Am. 1.40m Jumper Classic was Zimmerli and CHARDONAY HARAS DES BARRAGES in a time of 32.990.

A successful week in the Grand Prix Ring ended with the $20,000 ULCERGARD Open Prix. Three riders would return to the Jump-Off all in hopes of securing top honors in the featured class at the Showday National. All riders completed the Jump-Off with four-fault scores, meaning that the standings would be determined by who was the fastest. Brennan and MAC would soar to a first place finish in a time of 41.938. Following Brennan, in second place was Foster and LUMINOUS in a time of 44.252. Brian Murphy would round out the top three in a time of 49.212 aboard MIMMO T.Z. Not returning to the jump off but round out the top five would be Gavin Moylan and DON FERNANTES Z in fourth and Hubbard and LATINO VAN DE LOOISE HEIDE in fifth.

In the Hunter Rings, riders joined us for HITS Championship qualifying classes the $1,500 Devoucoux and $1,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix.

Moylan and STRING OF PEARLS would be victorious in the $1,500 Devoucoux Hunter Prix with scores of 87 and 84, for a two round total of 171. In second place, with a combined score of 169, was Riley Hogan and RONALDO scoring an 83 in Round One and 86 in Round Two. Foster and SUMMERLIN would be awarded third place with scores of 79 in Round One and 87 in Round Two, for an overall score of 166.

Junior and Amateur riders would join us for the $1,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix. Lydia Davidson and PARK AVENUE would secure first place with a score of 73 in the first round and an 86 in the second round for a combined score of 159. Jumping to a second place finish was Lilly Pollin and PURA VIDA, receiving scores of 74 and 80 in her two rounds for a combined score of 154. Rounding out the top three in the HITS Championship qualifier was Kathryn Piper Martin and ANDIAMO with an overall score of 148. Martin received scores of 70 in Round One and 78 in Round Two.

Taking home top honors in the Culpeper Equitation Classic was Lauren Miller. The Culpeper Equitation Classic is open to both Junior and Amateur riders and is held at both 3′ and 3’6″. It offers riders a unique opportunity to compete together in an interesting format, and as the featured class in the Grand Prix Ring on Saturday afternoon, it is a great opportunity for riders to gain experience showing in the spotlight. Miller received a score of 78 to secure top honors in the Culpeper Equitation Classic. Riley Hogan placed second with a score of 74 and Natalie Tezsla placed third with a score of 70.

Visit hitsshows.com for more information.

Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Jason Berry and Belle Glos Win Virginia Horse Center Hunter Classic

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Jason Berry and Belle Glos.

Lexington, VA – May 15, 2017 – The second week of the Lexington Spring Festival, the Lexington Spring Encore, concluded Sunday, May 7. Jason Berry piloted EMO Stables’ Belle Glos to win the Virginia Horse Center Hunter Classic, receiving a total score of 177 to earn the blue.

“She’s a phenomenal ride,” Berry said of the mare. “There’s not much to do because she knows all the tricks. She’s a good-hearted mare and she tries hard. She’s definitely one you can count on.”

The pair navigated the course set in the Wiley ring to a first round score of 86 and a second round score of 91. Berry said, “It was a really nice course to ride – a lot of open canters, there was an eight and a ten stride line, and there was even a two stride in there. The footing in the Wiley ring at the Horse Center is really good; you have the option of setting whatever and it would be accomplishable. It was a super course to ride.”
Berry has been competing at the Virginia Horse Center for years, and is pleased with all of the updates that have taken place at the facility. He commented, “They’ve been working with Allen Reinheimer on the footing and that’s been super. I think this year was the best year. Every year the footing has gotten better and better.”

Top honors in the $30,000 George L. Ohrstrom Jr. Grand Prix went to Gavin Moylan riding his own Coldplay. Moylan and Coldplay navigated a difficult course designed by Alan Wade to best the field of 17 riders.

Moylan and Coldplay were only one of two pairs to return to the jump-off, among them Katie Swindler riding Alice. Moylan and Coldplay were too fast the catch and ultimately took home the blue, while Swindler and Alice finished in second. Rounding out the top three was Andrea Torres Guerreiro riding Emilia.

Moylan said, “I just wanted to go quick enough and put some pressure on Katie, but I generally wanted to go clean. My horse handled it great! Standing around watching the rest of the class, I almost had the impression I was going to win without having to go in the jump off. When Katie went clean the first round I had to kind of get my mind back together a little bit and make sure I was prepared to go and do it.”

Moylan is no stranger to the Virginia Horse Center, and has been competing for the past ten years. Moylan said, “I just loved it this last two weeks; everything about the show is great. They’ve worked on the footing a lot, the jumps were nice, the course designer was fabulous, the management team is great. I just had a really wonderful experience there. The Grand Prix win was the cherry on top!”

For information on the upcoming events of the Lexington Spring Encore, please visit www.horsecenter.org.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Gavin Moylan Grabs the Victory in the $30,000 HITS Grand Prix at Culpeper

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(C) ESI Photography. Gavin Moylan and Pernod.

Culpeper, VA (October 4, 2016): The curtain closed on the 2016 HITS Culpeper season on Sunday with the $30,000 HITS Grand Prix. Riders and horses laid it all on the line to pursue the last big victory in the Grand Prix Ring at HITS Commonwealth Park.

The team to reign supreme was Gavin Moylan of Middleburg, Virginia aboard Pernod, owned by Alpha Omega Farm. The battle for the blue came down to a race against the clock, with the top three separated by only tenths of a second. This victory marked Moylan and Pernod’s second Grand Prix win of the season at HITS Culpeper, in addition to impressively claiming a number of ribbons in other Culpeper Grand Prix classes.

“I am thrilled with Pernod’s performance; every time I’ve taken him in the ring, I feel like I had a chance to win,” said Moylan.  “I’d like to say thank you to Bart and Abby Frye, who I co-own this horse with.”

Five advanced to the jump-off set by course designer Florencio Hernandez of Mexico City. The first to contend the shortened course was Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas and MTM Reve Du Paradis.

Fenney and Reve Du Paradis, owned by MTM Farm, won the $25,000 Brook Ledge Grand Prix on Friday, and they had their eyes on another prize. They put down a quick, clear round in 36.129 to set the tone for the remaining field. They would take home the second place prize when the class was finished.

The victors, Moylan and Pernod, immediately followed Fenney, knowing their round would need to be solid to edge her out and also stay strong with three more trips left. They crossed the timers in a lightning-fast 36.098, overcoming Fenney by just fractions of a second.

“The course was definitely challenging and it was a very fast class,” said Moylan. “Tracy, Dorothy and I were all separated by just a tenth of a second give or take, so to be able to compete against those guys, who are so competitive, and come out on top was great.”

Dorothy Douglas, also of Flower Mound, Texas, was next to challenge the shortened course, piloting S&L Elite, owned by MTM Farm. They powered through the course, stopping the clock at 36.202, to ultimately take home third place.

Only two remained in the jump-off. Fenney returned with her second ride for another shot at topping the leaderboard. She rode MTM Como No, owned by MTM Farm, through the course, but a rail at a mid-course fence before the combination thwarted their chance of the win – ultimately settling them in fourth place with a 39.470-second round.

Last to contend the jump-off round was Matthias Hollberg riding out of Middleburg, Virginia aboard Czechmate, owned by Courtney Ramsay. They would turn in eight faults as they crossed the finish in 37.711, rounding out the top five in fifth.

$15,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper High Classic – 1.45m

The winner of the High Jr/A-O Classic at HITS Culpeper was Myrto Iliadis of Waterford, Virginia riding Voila He, owned by Daphne Iliadis. The equestrian and her mount bested a field of their peers as the only clear round of the three-horse jump-off.

Second place went to Tamara Morse and Ravenna, co-owned with Stuart Morse. Third went home with Felicia Russell and her own Habsurg 2.

$10,000 Pyranha Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Low Classic – 1.35m

Nikki Prokopchak of Barnesville, Maryland took home the blue in the Low Jr/A-O Classic on Sunday. Prokopchak piloted Agropoint Cassius to the victory in a two horse jump-off.

Califon, New Jersey equestrian Darby Toben was second place aboard D’Artagnan, owned by Doreen Toben. They earned one time fault in the jump-off with Prokopchak for the placing.

Third in the ribbons was Jocelyn Albaugh of McLean, Virginia and Axei Springs, owned by Lyle Albaugh. The pair claimed their spot in the top three with the fastest four-fault trip in the first round.

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

Competitions, HITS, Show Jumping

Gavin Moylan Cashes Out in the $30,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS Culpeper

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(C) ESI Photography. Gavin Moylan and Pernod.

Culpeper, VA (July 12, 2016): As the curtain closed on Showday National at HITS Culpeper on Sunday, riders returned to the Grand Prix ring to contend for the top prize in the $30,000 HITS Grand Prix.

Hot off a win in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, Gavin Moylan returned to the jumper ring and topped the Grand Prix field to stake claims on the blue ribbon once again. The Middleburg, Virginia equestrian’s victory came aboard Pernod, owned by Alpha Omega Farm of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

“Thank you to HITS for sponsoring this class; it was special to win a Grand Prix at Culpeper,” said Moylan. “I’ve competed here more than any other venue in my professional career and it’s close to home. To win both of these classes this weekend was great.”

Moylan also nodded special thanks to Bart and Abby Frye of Alpha Omega Farm for their support, as well as his wife, Alden.

Only two would jump clear over the course set by Jerry Dougherty of Bokeelia, Florida. Moylan was joined in contest over the shortened course by Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, North Carolina and Basje, owned by Kendra Bullington; in an interesting twist, Chopping won both the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix and the $30,000 HITS Grand Prix in Culpeper Week I in April, and placed second to Moylan this week in both classes.

“The course definitely presented a challenge and I wasn’t too surprised that there were only two clean,” said Moylan. “The last line was tricky for all of the horses — it was a difficult triple combination, followed by a technical 5-stride to an oxer at the end.”

The jump-off was down to Moylan and Chopping, both with a prestigious collection of blue ribbons in both the hunter and jumper rings at HITS Culpeper.

Chopping and Basje were first to challenge the jump-off, taking the course with precision and speed within the time allowed of 51 seconds. They flew through the timers fault-free in 44.454 to set the tone.

Moylan was next to test the jump-off course, knowing he would have to be quick and clear to edge Chopping’s well-executed round to second.

“Pernod has been doing the Grand Prix for over a year. He’s a bigger horse but is very fast for his size,” said Moylan. “He finished sixth in Friday’s [Brook Ledge] Grand Prix and he’s been knocking on the door all summer long to win one.”

They zipped through the course, conquering each fence. Moylan’s trusted mount handled the difficult line well, crossing the timers in a cool, clear 44.193, just enough to pick up the winner’s share of the prize purse.

“This horse has a great heart and is a happy, kind horse every day,” said Moylan of his winning mount, Pernod. “I am really glad for him that he was able to win.”

Many contenders were just a rail shy of advancing to the jump-off. Third place finisher Maryann Charles, also of Southern Pines, and FVF Sailor Man, owned by Fox View Farm, finished with the quickest four-fault score in the first round, adding another top-five finish to their resume after placing third in Friday’s $25,000 Brook Ledge Grand Prix.

Fourth place went to Matthias Hollberg, winner of Friday’s $25,000 Brook Ledge Grand Prix aboard another mount, and Aletta, owned by Olympic Dreams, LLC. Hollberg, of Middleburg, Virginia, was thwarted by the difficult triple combination in the home stretch, earning a four-fault score as they crossed the finish.

The top five rounded out with Kevin McCarthy of North Salem, New York and Analyze This, owned by Kimberly Jakubowski. The difficult triple combination in the last line proved to be the dividing line for McCarthy as well, crossing the timers with one rail.

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

HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation

Hunters Bring Their A-Game after Returning to HITS Culpeper Summer Series

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(C) ESI Photography. Gavin Moylan and Opulent.

Culpeper, VA (July 11, 2016): Competition continued at HITS Commonwealth Park during the Showday National, the first of the two-week July series at HITS Culpeper with the second qualifying opportunities for the $500,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix and $250,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix  to be held at the HITS Championship in September.  The $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix and the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix took the stage in the Main Hunter Ring on Saturday afternoon.

$5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix

Riders and horses pulled out all the stops for a chance at the winning title, but it was Gavin Moylan of Middleburg, Virginia who stole the show in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix aboard Opulent, co-owned with Moylan’s wife, Alden.

“We just purchased Opulent with our last group of sale horses imported from Europe, and this was his very first week of showing in the United States — he really exceeded my expectations; it was wonderful,” said Moylan joyfully. “Our plan for him is to continue what we’re doing and possibly show in the same classes this upcoming week.”

Moylan and Opulent snagged the highest score in both rounds of the two-round classic with a consistent 87, totaling 174 for the blue ribbon.

Following in the ribbons for second place was Southern Pines, North Carolina equestrian Harold Chopping and Cambridge Inn, owned by Elizabeth Cozart. Having won the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix during the Commonwealth National at Culpeper in April, Chopping and Cambridge Inn were hunting for another title. They scored consistently in both rounds with a pair of 86s, totaling 172 just behind Moylan.

Chopping also took home third place piloting Most of All, owned by Four Tall Oaks, Inc. They earned a first-round score of 86.5, combined with a second-round score of 85 for a total of 171.5, just a half-point behind his own score.

Louisa, Virginia equestrian Jill Wilson and Odds Are, owned by Twin Oaks Farm, LLC, came in fourth place with scores of 84 and 83, respectively, for a total of 167.

The top five rounded out with Nina Butler, of Mechanicsville, Virginia, and MTM Bazinga. They earned a first-round score of 82 and a second-round score of 74 for a total of 156 for their efforts.

$1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix

Junior and Amateur riders turned out to compete in the second qualifying opportunity to show in the $250,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix at the HITS Championship in September.

(C) ESI Photography. Kathryn Luke and Brazos
(C) ESI Photography. Kathryn Luke and Brazos

The rider to rise above was Kathryn Luke, of Arlington, Virginia, and Brazos. The equestrian and her bay Hanoverian gelding earned a first-round score of 84, combined with an 83 in the second round for a winning total of 167.

Sgt. Pepper captured the second place spot with owner and rider Connie McRill of Woodbine, Maryland. They earned scores of 83 and 82, respectively, to earn a total of 165 for their efforts.

Third in the ribbons was Shannan Gossman, of Mitchells, Virginia, and Castanio, owned by Turning Pointe Ventures, LLC. Gossman and Castanio secured a win in this class during Culpeper Week I in April. They earned a 77 in the first round, improving to an 86 in the second for a total of 163.

Leesburg, Virginia equestrian Makayla Benjamin took home the fourth place prize with Dorado, owned by Sweet Briar College. They earned a first-round score of 85, a second-round score of 70 and a total of 155 for their efforts.

The top five concluded with Valentina and owner and rider Amelia Lucas of Columbia, Maryland. They earned a 75 in the first round, improving to a 76 in the second round for a total of 151.

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