Tag Archives: Sarah Rice

Rice, Acosta and Sage Step Up to the Plate in the Hunter Ring at Summer in the Rockies I

Sarah Rice and McGraw.

Parker, CO – June 5, 2014 – The 3’6″ and 3’3″ Performance Hunters ended gracefully for champions Sarah Rice on McGraw and Colleen Acosta on Chaika, as both pairs’ consistencies throughout their divisions led them to tricolor honors. Also in the main hunter ring today, the Pre-Green Hunters were put to the test; Mickie Sage and her newest mount were not afraid to answer.

Rice and McGraw moved up in the ranks enough to pass yesterday’s 3’6″ division leader Mickie Sage. Sage and Harlu were awarded reserve champion after receiving two sixth place ribbons today. Double blue ribbons over fences today snagged Rice the top spot. Rice’s seamless and consistent rounds with McGraw served as successful preparation for lessor Katie McDonnell, who will ride the gelding in the Junior Hunters next week.

According to Rice, McGraw felt good when they started the division but even better as they ended it. Her goal was to set him up with a positive experience so he could settle in, and she did just that.

“I just want him to stay nice and solid and consistent in the Juniors,” explained Rice. “That’s his strength – he’s just rhythmic and smooth, big-strided and chill. My only goal is to keep him nice and relaxed and happy.”

For Rice, who is Texas based, this is her first time showing at the Colorado Horse Park. So far, she has high praise.

“This is my first time here and I love it,” said Rice. “I love the new footing in the hunter and jumper rings. I really like the facility, the horse show management and office staff are great, and I am really enjoying it here!”

Colleen Acosta and Chaika
Colleen Acosta and Chaika

Leading after the first day of the 3’3″ Performance Hunters was Acosta on Chaika, and they again put in a strong effort. While they did not pin quite as high as yesterday, riding to fourth and eighth place finishes, yesterday’s blue ribbons were enough to secure the champion title for them. Acosta was in the ring with the mare to prepare her for her owner who shows in the Children’s Hunters. According to Acosta, Chaika is the ideal children’s horse.

Pine Hollow Farm, based in New Caney, TX, will certainly not be lacking in the ribbon department after today. On top of assistant Rice’s tricolor honors, head trainer Will Roberts came home with the reserve title in the 3’3″ division with Chicago. The Rhinelander gelding is owned by TeriAnn Miller who shows him in the 3’3″ Amateur Owner Hunters.

“The goal for all of the horses we have here (from Pine Hollow Farm) is to make the best showing experience possible and hopefully win championships in everything we can,” said Rice.

Concluding the day in the main hunter ring were the Pre-Green Hunters. Sage and her newest mount Adonis dominated, collecting the divisional championship with first and second place finishes over fences. Adonis also won the $1,000 Pre-Green Incentive Stake and $1,000 Pre-Green Classic. The flashy Westphalian gelding is owned by Fire Horse Equine LLC and has only shown with Sage once before this week.

“A couple of weeks ago, he became our newest member of the farm,” said Sage. “He is so beautiful and athletic. He’s gorgeous and a total hunter package.”

Mickie Sage and Adonis
Mickie Sage and Adonis

Sage’s goal is to qualify him for the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Program Championship this year in Kentucky. Her hopes for this new gelding are high, and today’s results did not fall short.

Click here for full results from Thursday. Visit the Colorado Horse Park’s website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter for updates throughout Summer in the Rockies.

The Colorado Horse Park Summer in the Rockies Fast Facts

What: Summer in the Rockies AA-Rated Hunter Jumper Show Series

Event Dates:

June 4-8 Summer in the Rockies I
June 11-15 Summer in the Rockies II
June 18-22 Summer in the Rockies III*
July 2-6 Summer in the Rockies IV
July 9-13 Summer in the Rockies V*
July 16-20 Summer in the Rockies VI

*WCHR Member Events

Hunter Highlights:

$5,000 National Hunter Derby – Week III
$15,000 International Hunter Derby sponsored by Winsome Farm – Week III
$10,000 National Hunter Derby – Week V
$40,000 International Hunter Derby sponsored by Serenity Farm – Week V

Jumper Highlights:

$25,000 Summer in the Rockies Grand Prix sponsored by Holiday Inn of Parker Grand Prix – Week I
$25,000 Summer in the Rockies Grand Prix sponsored by Littleton Equine Medical and Platinum Performance – Week II
$30,000 Summer in the Rockies Grand Prix sponsored by McElvain Energy – Week III
$30,000 Summer in the Rockies Grand Prix sponsored by Griffis Residential – Week IV
$50,000 Kathy and Brad Coors Family Grand Prix – Week V
$50,000 Parker Adventist Hospital Grand Prix – Week VI
$10,000 High Junior/Amateur Owner Classic sponsored by The Kathy and Brad Coors Family
$20,000 High Junior/Amateur Owner Classic sponsored by The Kathy and Brad Coors Family

Plus:
$10,000 July Grand Prix Rider Bonus for the Leading Grand Prix Rider sponsored by The Kathy and Brad Coors Family – Weeks IV-VI

Prize List:
For a hard copy of the prize list, please e-mail prizelist@cohorsepark.com with your name, address and phone number and specify which prize list you would like (spring/fall or summer).

Entries:
Mail to The Colorado Horse Park, 7522 South Pinery Drive, Parker, CO 80134 or fax to (303) 841-7879. Entries close 30 days before each show.

Contact Information:

Pat Boyle, Show Manager                          (847) 274-6834
Brian Curry, Show Manager                        (303) 918-2908
Show Office                                                 (303) 841-7461
Show Office Fax                                          (303) 841-1419
Colorado Horse Park Main Office                (303) 841-5550
Colorado Horse Park Main Office Fax         (303) 841-7879

Directions:

Address: 7375 E Bayou Gulch Rd, Parker, CO 80134

From North: I-25S exit Ridgegate Parkway – go east under the freeway.  Ridgegate Parkway to S. Chambers Road, approx. 3 miles (Traffic light) – turn right/south onto Chambers Road. At end of Chambers Road turn left/east onto Hess Road.  Hess Road to Parker Road/Hwy 83 – turn right/south onto Hwy 83 approx. 4 miles to Bayou Gulch Road. (Traffic light). Follow signs to Colorado Horse Park.

From South: I-25N, exit Founder’s Parkway.  Founder’s Parkway to Highway 86, approx. 4 miles (traffic light). Turn east/left onto Hwy. 86 to Franktown/Hwy 83. At Franktown go north on 83 approx. 7 mi. to Bayou Gulch Rd. (Traffic light), turn right/east onto Bayou Gulch Rd. Follow signs to Colorado Horse Park.

About the Colorado Horse Park

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, the Colorado Horse Park was founded by visionary Helen Krieble who acknowledged the need for a high-volume horse show and horse boarding facility to serve Colorado.  The Colorado Horse Park welcomes more than 75,000 visitors per year and hosts over 40 competitions annually.  CHP features a derby arena designed by Olympic-designer Linda Allen and a cross-country course designed by Olympic Gold Medalist David O’Connor and eventing super-star James Atkinson. There are 300 permanent stalls with capacity for more than 1,000 stalls.

The picturesque property, located only minutes from the town of Parker, hosts international equestrian events in multiple disciplines. Visitors enjoy the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountain surroundings and access to miles of trails and open space.  The Colorado Horse Park is committed to supporting equestrian education and amateur athletics, preserving open space, fundraising for local charities and supporting the community.

Lauren Buettner for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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