Halifax, MA – May 20, 2011 –The 2011 Fieldstone Spring Festival featured a full day of hunter, jumper and equitation competition on Friday as the sun came out over the beautiful Fieldstone Equestrian and Show Facility in Halifax, MA. Continuing through Sunday, May 22, the show will host a full schedule of USEF ‘AA’ hunter and 4-star jumper competition. Today was a highlight for 15-year-old Rachel Crinklaw, of Sandown, NH, who guided Moulin Rouge to a win in the $500 NAL/M&S/WIHS Children’s Hunter Horse Classic. The pair also earned championship honors in the Children’s Hunter Horse division over its two days of competition.
The Children’s Hunter Horse division began on Thursday afternoon when Crinklaw and her mount Moulin Rouge, a Selle Francais gelding owned by Erika Fritsch, earned their first of several first place ribbons. The pair followed up Thursday’s blue ribbon win with two more over fences today. They also earned fourth place under saddle to lead the standings.
In addition to those ribbons, Crinklaw and Moulin Rouge earned top scores in both rounds of the $500 NAL/M&S/WIHS Children’s Hunter Horse Classic to earn the first place prize. Round one saw a score of 79, combined with a round two score of 80, to give the pair a total of 159 for the win. Second place was awarded to Jacqueline Snyder and her horse Optimo for their scores of 75 and 74 to total 145. Renowned trainer Karen Healey, of Westlake, CA, was the judge in the main hunter ring today and followed the rounds closely to determine the top finishers.
Both Crinklaw and Snyder ride with trainer Jessica Hunt out of Senator Bell Farm in Chester, NH. Crinklaw has been riding since the age of five and has leased several horses in the last few years as she searches for the perfect horse to buy. The young rider has traveled to horse shows in locations such as Saratoga and Lake Placid, NY, and most recently returned from the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit in Florida where she earned a championship in the Limit Equitation riding Diamond Rio. Moulin Rouge (aka ‘Buster’) is a brand new ride for Crinklaw; a lease this spring while his owner is recovering from an injury.
“I kind of jump around horses because I do not have my own horse right now, and this is actually the first show that I have done with Buster,” Crinklaw explained. “The past two years I have had five different horses, all leases. We are looking to buy a horse, but it just depends on if we can find the right one.”
“Buster is a really good horse,” the rider smiled. “I am still kind of getting used to him. He is much different than my old horse. The horse I leased earlier this year was a lot smaller, so he had a lot less stride. With Buster I am getting used to collecting more than pushing because he is a completely opposite ride. He is fun; I really just have to keep track of his left side and then he is pretty easy.”
Crinklaw finished well in a hunter classic in Saratoga last summer, but was very excited to earn her first classic win today. “I did classics before, but this was the best one yet!” she smiled after her win.
Crinklaw is a sophomore in high school and enjoys riflery as a hobby in addition to her riding. This week was her first time competing at the Fieldstone Spring Festival, and she has enjoyed the laid back atmosphere and great competition. “This is a really nice show,” she stated. “I like it because it is smaller. It is not a mile walk to the ring like a lot of shows and it is less stressful, but at the same time it is a big, rated show.”
The 2011 Fieldstone Spring Festival will continue on Saturday with a full schedule of exciting competition. The day will feature a $5,000 Children’s Adult Jumper Classic in the morning, followed by a $7,500 Speed Stake. At 3 p.m. the highlight $25,000 Grand Prix will be held on the beautiful grand prix field.
For more information on the Fieldstone Horse Shows, please visit www.showfieldstone.com, call 781-679-0701, or email Showfieldstone@aol.com.