Tag Archives: Louise Serio

Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Louise Serio and Rock Harbor Win $100k WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular

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Louise Serio and Rock Harbor. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL — February 17, 2018 — Louise Serio won for the third time in the history of the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, picking up this year’s victory with Jennifer Burger’s Rock Harbor on Saturday, February 17, at the 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.

After leading in the first round with a score of 89.50, Serio and Rock Harbor, an 11-year-old Warmblood gelding, returned as the final pair in the handy round. They scored 86.75 for a 176.25 total to win the class.

After winning this class the past two years, Scott Stewart of Wellington, FL and Catch Me, a ten-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Gochman Sport Horse LLC, had to overcome one mistake in the first round and a score of 83.33 to complete their three-peat. They made an amazing move up the standings from 11th to second place with the best second round score of 91 for a total of 174.33.

In her first time competing at WEF, Tracy Fenney traveled from Flower Mound, TX to finish in the top three of the Hunter Spectacular. She and MTM Outbid, an eight-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by MTM Farm, had an 85.33 in the first round and sat seventh. A solid handy round score of 88.83 moved them up the standings to third with a 174.16 total.

Ingram, Iwasaki, Jayne, Kurtz, Seaman, and Tropen Win Saturday Hunter Championships

John Ingram continued his winning streak aboard Airport 48, owned by John and Stephanie Ingram, LLC, well into WCHR week six at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Ingram and the 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding were crowned champion of the Hunt Ltd. Amateur-Owner Hunter Over 35 division on Saturday, after claiming two firsts and a second over fences and a fourth in the under saddle.

Emma Kurtz entered the International Arena on Saturday afternoon to claim her championship ribbon in the Bruno Delgrange Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division. Unfortunately, her mount, Dedication, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker, was unable to accompany the young rider in the big ring for Saturday’s competition, as he was not feeling his best the night before. However, the pair still bested the division by claiming both blue ribbons over fences and a fourth place in the under saddle on Friday.

Saturday’s daytime hunter competition came to a close with Emma Kurtz aboard A Million Reasons, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker, being crowned the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division champion in the International Arena. The duo took two first place ribbons over fences and a first under saddle.

The Lugano Diamonds Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35 division ended in a California split on Saturday with champion ribbons going to Kelly Tropin riding Chablis, owned Libertas Farm, and Callie Seaman aboard her own Chicago.

After coming back from a spinal fusion surgery in July, Seaman started riding again in early January and has been showing for three weeks. She hails from Greenwich, CT and piloted Chicago to two seconds and a fourth over fences as well as a win under saddle.

Augusta Iwasaki, 13, of Calabasas, CA, claimed the champion tricolor in the Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under division to qualify for the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular aboard Small Affair, owned by Lyn Pedersen.

Iwasaki and the 15-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Elf d’Or were first, second, and third over fences as well as sixth under saddle.

Fourteen-year-old Natalie Jayne of Elgin, OH collected two firsts and a third-place ribbon over fences as well as fifth under saddle to win the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under Championship riding Cracker Jack, her own 11-year-old Warmblood gelding.

Fresh Partnership Claims $35,000 Hollow Creek 1.50m Classic in Week Six

A brand new partnership triumphed in a field of 27 starters in the $35,000 Hollow Creek Farm 1.50m Classic during week six. On the Derby field at Equestrian Village (home to the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival), Brazil’s Francisco Jose Mesquita Musa and Biscayo produced the fastest of only two clears in the three-strong jump-off.

The 12-year-old horse is only lightly competed, though under his previous rider, Bolivia’s Reynaldo Roberto Daza Cardozo, he contested the Bolivarian Games in 2017. Biscayo’s Wellington victory was his first ever international win.

Equestrian Sport Productions | 561-793-JUMP | news@equestriansport.com | www.PBIEC.com

Hunter/Equitation, Jump Media, Show Jumping

Louise Serio and Rock Harbor Capture Grand Hunter Championship at Old Salem Farm

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Louise Serio and Rock Harbor. Photos by The Book LLC.

Mario Deslauriers and Cherrypop Win $10,000 Open Jumper 1.40m

North Salem, New York – Louise Serio and Rock Harbor were named Grand Hunter Champions after dominating the High Performance Working Hunter Division on Wednesday during the first week of the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, running May 10-15 and May 17-22 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Highlighting jumper action on the Grand Prix Field, Mario Deslauriers of New York, NY and Cherrypop claimed the $10,000 Open Jumper 1.40m.

Serio and Rock Harbor, a nine-year-old chestnut Warmblood gelding owned by Jennifer Burger, started the High Performance Working Hunter Division on a high note on Tuesday with a win over fences and second place under saddle. They returned on Wednesday to win the final over fences class and the handy on scores of 89 and 87.

“He was really good yesterday, but he was spectacular today,” said Serio. “We’ve been together since he was a pre-green horse, so we know each other well. He has become so brave and fun – it’s really rewarding to have something you started at pre-green go to the high performance.”

While Rock Harbor has a clear connection with Serio in the competition ring, “Harry”, as he’s called around the barn, is a special horse for Burger.

“When he arrived at the barn the first time, I was out of town,” said Burger. “The girls that greeted him told me he needed a barn name and when I asked what he looked like, they told me he was handsome and his coloring was just like Prince Harry. So, Harry it was.”

Burger brought Rock Harbor into Serio’s string at Derbydown five years ago with intentions of having the horse move up the levels with her in the tack.

“When I get a horse, I love to do the whole thing, the pre-green with the goal always being to get to the four-foot level,” said Burger. “It doesn’t usually happen, but it’s so exciting when it does. This is extra special because Louise has taken him the whole way.”

When asked what it was like watching her horse in the ring this week, Burger responded, “Yesterday was fantastic, but that first round today was one of those rounds that happens maybe once out of a hundred trips and you wouldn’t change a thing.”

Over the past several years, Serio let Rock Harbor take his time and she always planned to let him decide whether he would keep moving up.

“We didn’t know what his ability was going to be as far as scope and stride, but he just keeps coming up with more and more,” she said. “He has a wonderful front end – his knees are always super high. His jumping style is beautiful, and he is actually better now as a high performance horse than he was over the lower jumps. He does it easily and is great at it.”

Reserve champion honors in the High Performance Hunter Division were presented to Sandy Ferrell and Imperial, owned by Stephanie Bulger. They earned fourth place under saddle and two second place ribbons over fences, as well as second over the handy course.

Mario Deslauriers Steps Cherrypop Up to Win $10,000 Open Jumper 1.40m
Mario Deslauriers topped 45 challengers in Wednesday’s $10,000 Open Jumper 1.40m to get The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows off to an impressive start for Cherrypop, a nine-year old Oldenburg mare owned by Wishing Well Farm, LLC. From the 26th position in the order, Deslauriers posted a double-clear effort in the immediate jump-off class and crossed the timers in 34.845 seconds for the win.

Mario Deslauriers and Cherrypop
Mario Deslauriers and Cherrypop

Deslauriers and Cherrypop just started their third year together with hopes to move up into international level competition in the near future.

“I brought her along slowly, and we’ve recently been stepping up to the 1.40-1.45m,” said Deslauriers. “She’s maturing now and ready to go win some classes. We may do some FEI classes next week and hopefully slowly catch up to the 1.50m.”

Wednesday’s competition marked Deslauriers and Cherrypop’s first time back in the ring after the winter show season, and it was a welcomed spring debut for both horse and rider.

“It’s like a breath of fresh air to show outside on a beautiful grass field,” said Deslauriers. “They keep [Old Salem Farm] pristine, and any rider enjoys coming here to show. They worked the footing so well after all the rain last week and she jumped great out there today.”

Deslauriers is at Old Salem Farm during The Spring Horse Shows with his entire barn and will train nearly 20 students competing in all three rings over the next two weeks.

Open Jumper competition continues with Thursday’s $10,000 1.40-1.45m on the Grand Prix Field, while the Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Champion will be crowned in the Hunter Ring.

About the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows
Old Salem Farm, located just one hour north of New York City, is one of the best equestrian competition venues in North America, as rated by the North American Riders Group. Host of the FEI 2* and 3* Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, the prestigious American Gold Cup CSI-W 4*, and year-round competitions, the facility offers a state-of-the-art turf grand prix field, indoor riding arena, and two all-weather footing rings. As a boarding and training facility, Old Salem Farm is second to none and home to top trainer Frank Madden. For more information, please visit www.oldsalemfarm.net or call 914-669-5610.

Contact: Lindsay Brock
Lindsay@jumpmediallc.com

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Darragh Kenny and Red Star d’Argent Win $35k Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 11

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Darragh Kenny and Red Star d’Argent. Photos copyright Sportfot.

Louise Serio Pilots SS Telling Secrets to Pre-Green Hunter 3’3″ Championship

Wellington, FL – March 24, 2016 – Week eleven of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by Artisan Farms, continued on Thursday with a win for Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Red Star d’Argent in the $35,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 11. Competing in the International Ring at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, the pair beat out Kent Farrington (USA) and Creedance in second, and Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) aboard Limestone Grey in third.

WEF 11 features CSI 4* rated jumper and ‘AA’ rated hunter competition running March 23-27, 2016. Friday features the $35,000 Illustrated Properties 1.45m Classic in the morning and the 9th Annual George Morris Excellence in Equitation Championship in the evening.

Saturday highlights the $50,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series Final, presented by Equiline, on the derby field at The Stadium at PBIEC beginning at 11 a.m. with a brunch hosted by Equiline in the Tiki Hut at The Stadium beginning at 10:30 a.m. The $130,000 Engel & Völkers Grand Prix CSI 4* will be the feature event in the International Ring on the main show grounds Saturday evening beginning at 7:45 p.m.

Competition concludes on Sunday with the $86,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic also held on the derby field at The Stadium. The 12-week WEF circuit continues through April 3 offering more than $9 million in prize money.

Olaf Petersen, Jr. (GER) set the course for the $35,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Coup Round 11 on Thursday with 65 entries and 17 advancing to the jump-off. Eight of those were able to complete double clear rounds over the short course with Darragh Kenny and Red Star d’Argent clocking the fastest time of 37.52 seconds. Farrington and RCG Farm’s Creedance finished just off the mark in the slimmest of margins in 37.53 seconds to place second. De Luca and his own and Stephex Stables’ Limestone Grey followed with the third place time of 38.51 seconds.

Red Star d’Argent is an 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Quick Star that Kenny’s Oakland Ventures and Sergio Alvarez Moya own in partnership. Moya sent the horse to Kenny to be sold this winter, and the pair has had fantastic results. They already won the $130,000 Grand Prix CSI 3* during week six competition, as well as the $216,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSIO 4* in week eight.

Speaking of what he has learned about the horse, Kenny stated, “He likes to win. He is a fighter. He wants to be careful, he wants to be good, and he wants to win. I just have to not screw it up.

“He has been doing great, so we will just take our time and see what happens,” the rider continued. “I am having a lot of fun. He is a great horse. He twisted a shoe two weeks ago and put the clip up his foot and was lame for a few days, so we could not ride him. I only started riding him again on Saturday, and jogged on Tuesday and he felt good, so we went today. He is just an incredible horse. I have used him very sparingly this winter, but every time he comes out, he comes out great.”

Coming out the ring after Thursday’s jump-off, Kenny did not think that he had done enough to get the win with the fast combinations still to go, but he got a little lucky.

“I did not think I was fast enough. Kent is extremely fast, and he actually would have been faster,” Kenny explained. “He did one more stride to the last fence just because his horse shifted right at the second to last, but he would have been faster otherwise. I kind of got lucky there. There were a lot of fast riders like Lisa Goldman, and a couple of the others still to go, so you never know until the end.”

Detailing his jump-off, Kenny noted, “It is kind of the same thing I do with that horse. He is quick, and I just go as fast as I feel I can. I felt I was a little bit slow to the orange vertical, and that is where I thought I left a bit of time, but I knew that was the right thing to do for him. He felt great, and the rest of it was super. Kent’s horse is a super horse and Kent is an amazing rider and I knew he was going to be very fast, so I had to do as much as I felt comfortable with.”

In addition to the winning prize money, Kenny earned a $3,000 bonus for wearing his SSG ‘Digital’ style riding gloves as part of the SSG Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion.

Also competing in the International Ring on Thursday, the day began with a win for Lauren Hough (USA) and Paris Sellon’s Adare in the $8,000 Illustrated Properties 1.45m jump-off class.

Louise Serio Pilots SS Telling Secrets to Pre-Green Hunter 3’3″ Championship

Louise Serio, of Kennett Square, PA, rode SS Telling Secrets to the championship title in the Perfect Products Pre-Green Hunter Level 2 (3’3″) this morning in the Rost Arena. Serio and the seven-year-old Trakehner gelding topped the under saddle and one of the four over fences classes on their way to the championship win. The pair also earned a fifth-place ribbon in another over fences class. Heather Hays and Stacey Shore Werner’s Sebastian took home the reserve title, placing first, third, and fourth over fences. Sebastian, a six-year-old Holsteiner gelding, also earned a fourth-place ribbon in the under saddle.

Louise Serio and SS Telling Secrets
Louise Serio and SS Telling Secrets

Rain clouds circled around the show grounds for much of the morning, but veteran rider Louise Serio was not daunted by the potential for bad weather. Despite some windy conditions, Serio and SS Telling Secrets performed consistently well. “Today he got a little bit green in the first round and over-jumped some. In the second round he went really nicely,” Serio commented.

Serio was pleased to have a successful first outing with new mount SS Telling Secrets. She plans to take things slowly with the young gelding. “He hasn’t shown much before; he’s only shown four other times in his life,” she explained.

SS Telling Secrets is indeed a very new horse for the team at Derbydown Farm. The gelding was only purchased one week ago. “We just bought him,” Serio commented. “We bought him through Kim and Andy Marone. He had only shown one other time here at WEF, which we got to see, and then we purchased him just last week.”

Serio expressed a lot of excitement about the new acquisition and is enthusiastic about the young gelding’s future. “We are very excited. He’s gone very nicely so far!” Serio said.

“He has an outstanding disposition,” Serio remarked. “He’s just really, really quiet, and we are very happy. He’s been really pleasant since the purchase.”

SS Telling Secrets is a stunning mover, which is what convinced Serio to purchase the gelding. “He’s just a gorgeous mover,” Serio stated. “He won the under saddle in this division yesterday, and I think he will continue to do well in the under saddle classes wherever he goes.”

Serio plans to continue showing SS Telling Secrets in the Pre-Green Hunter divisions. “I plan to gear him up to show in the Pre-Green incentive classes,” she added. Serio also explained that the gelding was purchased for amateur rider Meredith Lipke and that she will be taking over the reins and begin showing with him very soon.

The eleventh week of competition at the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival continues on Friday with the $35,000 Illustrated Properties 1.45m Classic featured in the International Ring in the morning and the 9th Annual George Morris Excellence in Equitation Championships in the evening. For more information and full results, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Callie Seaman for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Louise Serio and Derbydown Lead the Way during 2013 Winter Equestrian Festival

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Louise Serio and Castle Rock. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG.

Wellington, FL – April 10, 2013 – Throughout the twelve weeks of competition at the Winter Equestrian Festival, Louise Serio and her horses and riders have been extremely successful in the show ring. Serio and her riders have earned multiple championship honors, including the Performance 3’6″ Working Hunter Reserve Circuit Championship with Bryan Baldwin’s Castle Rock.

Serio showed Castle Rock captured the division’s championship honors during Weeks Two and Week Seven, as well as the reserve championship during Week Six. During Week Seven, the pair competed in the $50,000 USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, where they took home the third place honors after receiving a score of 91.5 during the first round.

“I think it’s really amazing how important it is as a rider to get into that class,” noted Serio. “You see everybody gearing up and working for it and trying to get in it. It’s really fun to see that and I think it’s really great to see the class go so well. Castle Rock is just a wonderful horse and he just gives you confidence and always tries so hard.”

Serio also competed with Samba, owned by Marigot Bay Farm, in the Performance 3’6″ Working Hunters. They earned the championship honors during Week Nine, and placed third in the year’s circuit standings.

The trainer from Derbydown also piloted various mounts to championships in the Performance 3’3″ Working Hunters. Serio rode Willow and Cinemagic for Byran Baldwin to top tricolors during Weeks Two and Five, respectively. Christina Serio piloted Derbydown’s Name Game and Kendall Sharkey’s 21-Gun Salute to various ribbons as well.

Serio claimed a number of championships throughout the circuit in varying divisions. In the Second Year Green Conformation Hunters, Serio and Casino, owned by Bridget Hallman, were reserve champion during Week Six and went on to be named champion during Week Eight.

In the Pre-Greens, Serio piloted Hallman’s Lulu to a championship during Week Eight, and Jennifer Burger’s Rock Harbor during Week Five, as well as the reserve championship during Week 8. Christina Serio took home the reserve championship during Week Nine riding 21-Gun Salute.

Continuing to have success in the professional divisions, Serio competed with Annette Lauer’s Bonaparte in the First Year Green Conformation Hunters, where they were awarded the championship ribbon during Week Six. Serio and Carento, rose to the top of the class during Weeks Eight and Eleven. Ashley Hotz, a student of Serio’s, attained various ribbons in the division upon her mount Entourage. Louise Serio finished off her championship earnings on Namesake in the Pre-Green 3-4 Year Olds during week Nine.

The Amateur-Owner riders of Derbydown had some success of their own in the show ring. Bridget Hallman and Casino claimed the championship in the Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunters during the opening week of the Winter Equestrian Festival and continued to attain another top tricolor during WEF 10 aboard Constellation. Hallman also earned ribbons in the division throughout the season on Do Tell as well. Clementina Brown also had success in the Amateur-Owner Hunters, riding Isis and Dashing to top awards throughout the season.

Hallman continued her success, topping the Adult Amateur 36-50 Hunters during Week 10 with Lulu. She also rode to top ribbons in the Amateur Owner 36 & Over 3’3″ Hunters, claiming various ribbons on Hearsay. Cindy Firestone had a spectacular end to the season, attaining the reserve championship during Week 12 on Khrome.

In the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters, Lindsay Mutschler was a name to look out for, as she and her mount Fielding, were the reserve champions during Week Nine and climbed to the top during Week 12, where they also finished in the Top 10 during the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

Christina Serio had success in the jumper ring as well, showcasing the talents of World Lady and Discovery O.

Other horse and rider partnerships that earned ribbons throughout the circuit included Emma Kurtz and Jennifer Burger’s Aate in the Children’s 14 & Under Hunters, and Alanis Smith and One Love in the Low Children’s 2’6″ Hunters.

About Derbydown:

Owned and operated by top hunter trainer Louise Serio, Derbydown is nationally recognized as one of the foremost show hunter barns in the country. It is a training, boarding, showing and sales business with a multi-level horse facility providing all levels of instruction to A-quality showing in Kennett Square, PA. Serio began training at Derbydown in 1975 and she consistently trains and rides champions in every division at the most prestigious shows on the East Coast. Some of her championship mounts include Red Panda, Gray Slipper, Phillipa, Rock Star, Aate, Castle Rock, Marshall, Willow, Casino, Constellation, and Do Tell. Most recently, Serio was victorious in the 2011 WCHR Pro Hunter Spectacular aboard Castle Rock at the Winter Equestrian Festival. For more information, please visit www.Derbydown.com.

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Louise Serio Captures $10,000 Hallway Feeds Professional Leading Rider Bonus during Final 2012 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby

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Louise Serio was awarded the $10,000 Professional Leading Rider Bonus for her efforts in the 2012 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby Series. Photo By: Shawn McMillen Photography

Lexington KY – August 28, 2012 – Lexington KY – August 28, 2012 – The Alltech Arena was filled with top competitors as the final $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby got underway during the KHJA Horse Show. Junior rider Kelli Cruciotti overtook fellow contenders with Promo, moving into the third place overall in the rankings, but falling shy of the Junior Leading Rider Bonus behind Shawn Casady, who took the $2,500 bonus after leading the Junior Ranks for all six derby events, while Sarah Sturges collected the Amateur Leading Rider bonus. Louise Serio was awarded the $10,000 Professional Leading Rider bonus, completing the $45,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby series with an astounding 1,075 points.

The Hallway Feeds Series consisted of six national hunter derby events that were held during the 2012 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, cash prizes totaling $15,000 were awarded to the series’ leading riders. The Kentucky Summer Series was held July 24 – Aug. 26, 2012, and featured four of the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derbies.

Continue reading Louise Serio Captures $10,000 Hallway Feeds Professional Leading Rider Bonus during Final 2012 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Shawn Casady Leads Junior Ranks with Overwhelming Lead Heading into the 2012 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby Series Final Derby

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Shawn Casady tops Louise Serio in the overall $15,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Rider rankings. Casady leads the Junior standings with 1050 points, aiming to capture the $2,500 bonus. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington KY – August 21, 2012 – Sunday afternoon saw great competition from 42 competitors as the fifth $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby got underway during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Kelley Farmer rode Act of Valor to the top of the leader board, moving into the fourth place in the overall standings. Shawn Casady was awarded third place with Bolero, taking a 75-point lead above Louise Serio, who has now fallen into the second place in the standings, but still continues to lead the professional ranks. The Hallway Feeds Series consists of six national hunter derby events held during the 2012 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, cash prizes totaling $15,000 will be awarded to the series’ leading riders.

The Kentucky Summer Series is held July 24 – Aug. 26, 2012, and features four of the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derbies. The final event of the series is approaching this Saturday, August 25, 2012 during the KHJA Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park. This will be the riders’ final opportunity to move ahead in the ranks, competing for the winning title and valuable points toward the $15,000 Leading Rider Awards.

Continue reading Shawn Casady Leads Junior Ranks with Overwhelming Lead Heading into the 2012 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby Series Final Derby →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group

Shawn Casady Closing In on National Hunter Derby Series Leading Rider Louise Serio

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Shawn Casady is only 50 points shy from topping professional rider Louise Serio for the $15,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Bonus, Casady leads the Junior standings with 850 points overall. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington KY – August 15, 2012 – It was Shawn Casady who once again rose to the top of the standings during Saturday’s $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby. Now only 50 points shy of the overall leading rider, Casady is going head to head with professional rider Louise Serio in the Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Series. Although the $45,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby series is taking a short intermission, and will resume during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show with the fifth event of the series. The Hallway Feeds Series consists of six national hunter derby events held during the 2012 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, cash prizes totaling $15,000 will be awarded to the series’ leading riders.

The Kentucky Summer Series is held July 24 – Aug. 26, 2012, and features four of the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derbies. The stakes are high as the top riders in the nation prepare for the final two events of the series, to take place during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show and the KHJA Horse Show. With only two chances left to rise to the top, hunter riders of all levels are competing for the winning title and valuable points towards the $15,000 Leading Rider Awards.

Continue reading Shawn Casady Closing In on National Hunter Derby Series Leading Rider Louise Serio →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group

Shawn Casady Wins with Bolero, Gaining on Louise Serio in the $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby

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Shawn Casady & Bolero won the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Photo By: Ashley N. Williams/PMG

Lexington KY – August 4, 2012 – The Stonelea Arena was bustling today as it saw six divisions stretching the length of the day. Lined with sponsor bulletins, the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby turned out a crowd as well as promised top riders and steep competition. Out of 29 riders, Shawn Casady once again emerged as victor, this time upon Bolero, scoring 178.50. Louise Serio returned riding Corvine, beating her last week’s points and scoring 178, coming in a half point behind Casady, earning the duo a second place standing. Riding to a third place finish, Erica Quinn and Chit Chat came in with a total of 175.

Employing heighten sensory to navigate a well schemed course, riders leaped walls of obstacles, lined in rows creating a sideways Y shape. Brilliantly designed by Danny Moore, the course opened with the Hallway Feeds fences, made up of natural wood and refined vegetation. The variation ranged from brick walls, birch verticals and oxers to grass roll tops, and a fallen tree, hay bale obstacle. The fence arrangement had riders jumping the equidistance to complete the jump line full of lead changes and round turns.

Continue reading Shawn Casady Wins with Bolero, Gaining on Louise Serio in the $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group

Louise Serio Leads 2012 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby Series; Shawn Casady in Second with Recent Victory

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Shawn Casady continues to hold the second place position behind Louise Serio for the $15,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Bonus. Photo By: Ashley N. Williams/PMG

Lexington, KY – August 2, 2012 – It was a nail-biter on Sunday evening as Louise Serio and Shawn Casady vied for the top spot in the $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby. It is professional rider Louise Serio who continues to hold the lead after the third part of the 2012 $45,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby came to a conclusion on Sunday, July 29, 2012 during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. The Hallway Feeds Series consists of six national hunter derby events held during the 2012 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, cash prizes totaling $15,000 will be awarded to the series’ leading riders.

The Kentucky Summer Series is held July 24 – Aug. 26, 2012, and features four of the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derbies. The top riders from across the nation gathered on Sunday to compete over the challenging courses and compete for the winning title and valuable points towards the $15,000 Leading Rider Awards. Shawn Casady and Without Question, owned by Palms and Ponies Show Stables of Boca Raton, FL, and leased by Marigot Bay Farm of Dover, MA, led the victory gallop for the Kentucky Summer Horse Show’s $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby, with Louise Serio and Corvine, owned by Timothy Wicks of Unionville, PA, riding to the second place finish.

Continue reading Louise Serio Leads 2012 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby Series; Shawn Casady in Second with Recent Victory →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Louise Serio and Derbydown Claim Championship Awards at Upperville Colt and Horse Show

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Louise Serio and Casino earned the First Year Green Working Hunter Reserve Championship at the Upperville Colt and Horse Show. Photo By: Shawn McMillen

Upperville, VA – June 12, 2012 – National Show Hunter Hall of Fame trainer Louise Serio garnered top honors in the hunter ring with the horses and riders of Derbydown during the 2012 Upperville Colt and Horse Show. Serio piloted Dorado to the championship prize in the Three and Four-Year-Old Working Hunters for owner Bryan Baldwin. She also took home reserve championship titles in the Performance 3’3″ Working Hunters with Gillian Grant’s Ledger, as well as the First Year Green Working Hunters with Bridget Hallman’s Casino.

Serio and Dorado were in top form for the Three and Four-Year-Old Working Hunter division, where they earned the top call in the second over fences class and the under saddle, as well as placing fourth over fences.

In the Performance 3’3″ Working Hunters, Serio garnered excellent ribbons with Rock Star, owned by Jennifer Burger, and Lucky Strike, owned by Sarah Ingle, but it was Ledger who took home the reserve championship after winning the over fences class. Ledger also had good results later in the week with Grant in the irons during the Amateur-Owner 36 & Over Hunters.

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