Horse Shows by the Bay Series III a Hunter/Jumper Spectacular

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Wilhelm Genn and Copyright 3 jump the Mackinac Bridge at Horse Shows by the Bay. Photo Credit: Katie Anich/PMG

Traverse City, MI – July 25, 2011 – The third week of Horse Shows by the Bay proved to be an excellent series for both hunters and jumpers. A hunter derby and an open jumper grand prix demonstrated the best of the best in both disciplines, while numerous other events made for another action-packed show in scenic Traverse City, MI. Several jumper classics, as well as a welcome prix, added to the week’s bustling schedule, as did an adult hunter classic and a children’s hunter classic. Equitation riders also continued to fine-tune their skills, resulting in medal classes that were overflowing with up-and-coming equestrian talent. Finally, multiple division championship and grand championship honors were awarded, adding to the winning atmosphere that enveloped week III at Flintfields Horse Park.

In Friday night’s $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, Kelley Farmer made a clean sweep of the top four spots aboard Clearly, Praise, Red Sky, and Bases Loaded. A three-way tie between Clearly, Praise, and Red Sky, all with phenomenal overall scores of 387, amazed the large crowd who turned out for the evening event. Farmer also had a fabulous score with Bases Loaded, earning a 364 for their polished turn in the ring. Clearly is owned by Jane Gaston, Praise belongs to Selma Garber, Red Sky is owned by Larry Glefke, and Bases Loaded is owned by Am Free, Inc. Farmer’s slew of smooth rides saw her win this event for the second year in a row. Peter Pletcher also had great success on multiple mounts in the derby, finishing fifth, sixth, and seventh in the highly-anticipated contest. Pletcher rode Copperfield, owned by Jennifer Noski, to a fifth place finish. Primero, owned by Sleepy P Ranch LLC, came in sixth with Pletcher, while Susan Baker’s Tell All came in seventh. Finishing eighth was Carson Gibson on Shadyside Farm’s Caden, coming in ninth was Melissa Donnelly on Elizabeth Stroh’s Chin Chin, and placing tenth was David Beisel on Ammeretto, owned by Equine Holdings. Eleventh place went to Micah Gentry on Robin Swinderman’s INXS, and the twelfth position was earned by Rachel Geiger on her own Midnight Date.

In yesterday’s thrilling $30,000 Grand Prix of the Great Lakes, some fantastic rides took place upon the Grand Prix ring’s new footing. Wilhelm Genn and his own Marlo took first place, Charles Jacobs and Leap of Joy leaped into second, Blythe Marano and Urban came in third, Beisel and Always Cullohill earned fourth place, Jacobs and Flaming Star came in fifth, Marano was in sixth place aboard Askaban, Genn took seventh upon Happy Z, Victor Segovia came in eighth on Romeo, owned by The Romeo Group, Scott Lenkart earned ninth place honors on his own Impulsive, and Wim Janssen and his own horse VPN came in tenth. A highly competitive jump-off kept the large crowd engaged from start to finish, when Genn and Marlo turned in a clear second round time of 36.9 seconds, slightly faster than second place finisher Charles Jacobs on Leap of Joy, owned by Deeridge Farms. This duo finished their second round clear in just 37.165 seconds. The winner of last week’s Grand Prix, Blythe Marano (who also earned second place in last week’s event) came in third on Urban, owned by Riverview Farm LLC. This duo cleared a demanding jump-off course in a crowd-pleasing 38.163 seconds. David Beisel and Always Cullohill, owned by Harlow Investment Enterprises LLC, also had a clean turn in the jump-off, earning huge applause as the first to go fault-free in the second round.

Also in the Grand Prix ring yesterday, a $5,000 North American League (NAL)/Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) Adult Jumper Classic was held. Lauren Keck won upon Melissa Hirt’s Galoupard, who has now won the class three times at Horse Shows by the Bay 2011. Rider Keck and owner Hirt both hail from Michigan. In the final jumper event before today’s Grand Prix, the $5,000 NAL/WIHS Children’s Jumper Classic, Kady Abrahamson triumphed on her own Chalvino Z. In Friday’s $10,000 Open Jumper Welcome Prix, top honors went to Alejandro Karolyi on Vichy, owned by Torrey Pines Stables. Nick Novak and his own Springfield Tennessee came in second, and Denise Wilson earned third place aboard Delphine Van Het Orshof, owned by Blue Gate Farm LLC. In Saturday’s $5,000 NAL Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, Callie Bass and her own mare Fiery came in first, with second place going to Maria Costa on her own Reno. Finishing third in this event was Caroline Gibson on Remarkable, owned by Shadyside Farm. Laura Steffee came in fourth on Necstascy, owned by Sierra Del Sol Investments LLC. Steffee finished first in the following event, the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame (SJHOF) Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Prix, aboard Idole Du Chateau, also owned by Sierra Del Sol Investments LLC.

In other jumper classes, division champion in the Adult Jumpers went to Lauren Keck on Galoupard, owned by Melissa Hirt. Champion of the Children’s Jumpers was Maggie Ridenour on Cypress Z, owned by Greg Crolick. Erin Haas and As Di Cinzano, owned by North Face Farm, were champions in the High Junior/Amateur-Owner division. The Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers saw Kimberly Seay and her own Belvedere take this week’s champion title. The Low Adult Jumper Champion was Karen Walcott on Cheyenne, owned by KEQ LLC. In this week’s 1.25m Jumpers, the champion tricolor went to Samantha Ramsay on Via Veneto, owned by The Dammerman/Kamine Families LLC. Lisa Jacquin and Chapel Z were champions in the 1.30m Jumpers, with Chapel Z being owned by Flintwoode Farms LLC. The 1.35m Jumpers were dominated by Theo Genn on Thomas Bruinsma’s Paradox, who took home champion honors in this division. Wilhelm Genn and Winchester, owned by Bridlebourne Stables LLC were also champions, as were Denise Wilson and Blue Gate Farm LLC’s Delphine Van Het Orshof. All three earned ten points overall in this competitive division.

The hunter rings were no less competitive this week. In Sunday’s Adult Hunter Classic, Sue Hehl earned the top spot on her own Something’s Cookin’. The Children’s Hunter Class was won by Leanna Schulte on Gabriel in the 14 and under class, while the 15-17 class saw Ashley Cross and her own horse, Isabella, earn the top honors. Kelley Farmer was division champion in the Green Conformation Hunters aboard Straight Talk, owned by CH Farm LLC. Farmer was also champion in the Regular Conformation Hunters on Jane Gaston’s Clearly, who also earned Grand Conformation Hunter this week. Grand Working Hunter was Peter Pletcher on Primero, owned by Sleepy P Ranch LLC. Charlotte Currey won the Pony Hunter Classic on Brownland’s Mr. Mack, owned by Lochmoor Stables. In the Children’s Pony Hunter Classic, Casey Passmore and her own Miss Gracie took the top honors.

In this week’s feature equitation events, Caitlin Creel won the Pessoa/USEF hunter seat medal, while Rachael Hake triumphed in the ASPCA Maclay class. In the USEF Platinum Performance Talent Search, Virginia Ingram earned first place. Ingram also won the jumper phase of the Washington Equitation Classic, with Greer Hindle placing first in the hunter phase. The Washington Pony Equitation class was won by Meredith Darst. Marika Raff placed first in the Ariat Adult Medal, and Maggie Ridenour prevailed in the T.H.I.S. National Children’s Medal event.

The multi-series Horse Shows by the Bay will continue to offer riders and fans the ideal horse sports venue throughout the month of July. During the fourth and final week of competition, held July 27 – 31, notable events include the $30,000 D-BRAIDER Cherry Capital Classic Grand Prix on Saturday evening, as well as a $10,000 Children’s/Adult Jumper Prix and VIP Sponsor Luncheon on Sunday afternoon. Next week will also feature the fourth $10,000 Open Jumper Welcome Prix, multiple equitation medal classes, and the finals for the Hunter Jumper Association of Michigan’s medal events. Over half a million dollars in prize money will be awarded by the conclusion of this month-long celebration of equestrian athletes.

For more information or to view schedules, please visit www.horseshowsbythebay.com or call 231-267-3700.

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

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