Mary Lisa Leffler Rides Headlines to the Win in the International Hunter Derby
Friday was a double header Derby Day during Week II of the Atlanta Spring Classics when the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Nalley Toyota Stonecrest, and the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Legend, took center stage.
Jason Berry of Staunton, Virginia, winner of last week’s $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, and Stacey McFadden, LLC’s Wistful led the Classic round after earning a score of 174. Headlines, owned by Felicia Harrsch and ridden by Mary Lisa Leffler of Brookeville, Maryland, followed in second place after the first round with a score of 169.
North C, owned and ridden by Jaime Steinhaus of Milton, Georgia, followed in third place in the Classic round after earning a score of 164. Elizabeth Boyd of Camden, South Carolina, in the irons of Stella Styslinger’s O’Ryan, sat in fourth position after earning a score of 164. Boyd also had the fifth place position after the first round with Finally Farm’s Shamrock, earning a first round score of 162. Kris Killam of Naples, Florida and Barbara Fishman’s Mr. Big sat in sixth place with their score of 160. Boyd also had the seventh place horse after earning a first round score of 158.5. Berry held both the eighth and ninth place positions after the first round with Willoughby Stables’ Falcor and their score of 158 and Oakledge Farm’s Cobalt Blue R with a score of 150. Tenth place after the Classic round saw Why, owned by Charlotte Warren and ridden by Julie Curtin of Villa Rica, Georgia, earn a first round score of 150. Sitting in eleventh place after the first round was Liddy Strickland’s Valentine, ridden by Sarah Milliren of Jenks, Oklahoma, with a score of 149; Redfield Farm’s Fandango HX, ridden by Cassandra Kahle of Califon, New Jersey, sat in twelfth place after earning a score of 133.
The Handy Round of the Derby saw Kahle and Fandango earn a score of 147 for a total of 280, which would finish in twelfth place overall. Milliren and Valentine moved up to tenth place overall after earning a second round score of 160 for a total of 309. Curtin and Why moved to an eleventh place overall placing after earning a second round score of 143 for a total of 293.
Berry and Cobalt Blue R moved from a ninth place position to finish in fifth place overall after earning a second round score of 186 and overall 336. Berry also moved from the eighth place spot to sixth place overall with Falcor, earning a total score of 335.
Boyd and Cellino moved from seventh place to third overall after earning a Handy score of 185 and an overall 343.5. Killam and Mr. Big moved to finish in ninth place overall after earning a Handy score of 154 and an overall 314. Boyd and Shamrock moved up to finish in fourth place overall after earning a Handy score of 180 and an overall 342. Boyd and O’Ryan moved from a fourth place standing after the Classic round to an overall second place finish after earning a Handy score of 187 and an overall 351.
Steinhaus and North C moved to finish in seventh place overall after earning a Handy score of 160.5 and an overall 324.5.
Sitting in second place after the Classic Round, Leffler and Headlines earned a Handy score of 187.5 for a total of 356.5 which moved them into the lead.
Berry and Wistful were in first place after the Classic Round, but after earning a Handy score of 145 for a total of 318, finished in eighth place overall.
The heavy rains had moved through the area earlier that morning, so the main hunter event was moved to the Oval Ring. Liza Towell Boyd, whose resume includes three time Overall World Champion Hunter Rider as a Junior, four time recipient of the Best Child Rider Award at the Washington International Horse Show, and second place finisher in the Washington International Equitation Finals, as well as a multitude of National and International Hunter Derby wins, commented, “I was pleasantly surprised, that with all the rain the night before and how wet everything was, how great the rings held up,” she said. “I woke up, looked outside and thought that we may not even be able to show. You know, the Derbies are the equivalent of the Hunter Grand Prix and we were really looking forward to showing,” she said. “They moved the Derby to the Oval Ring which is so big and impressive and it’s actually even better for the younger generation of the up and coming Derby horses,” she said. “It was amazing how well the footing held up. It was really perfect. We were able to do those inside turns and the footing was great,” Boyd commented.
Sarah Milliren with Don’t Tell
Don’t Tell and Sarah Milliren Win the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby
The $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Legend, followed the International Derby and saw Courtney Billings’ Don’t Tell, ridden by Sarah Milliren, win the class after earning first round score of 86 and second round score of 91 for a combined 177. Davinci, owned and ridden by Josie Baird, placed second after earning a first round score of 82 and Handy score of 88 for a combined 170. Third place honors went to Charlotte Warren’s Enticement, ridden by Julie Curtin, after posting a first round score of 80 and second round score of 87 for a total of 167.
Suntrust, owned by Sandra Ward and ridden by Jacqueline Ward, earned a first round score of 77 and second round score of 83 for a total of 160 and fourth place. Fifth was awarded to Replax du Plant, owned and ridden by Libby Greene. I’ve Been Spotted, owned and ridden by Rebecca Hollman, won sixth place; Iamwhatiam, owned by Dawn Mason and ridden by Jason Berry, placed seventh overall. Click here for more results.
All sponsorship and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel at lisa@classiccompany.com.
Jason Berry pilots Falcor to the win in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby.
Week I of the Atlanta Spring Classic is underway and Jason Berry of Staunton, Virginia is already on a winning streak after clinching the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Legend, and the $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome!
Berry bested a field of thirteen horse and rider teams in Thursday’s $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Legend, in the irons of Willoughby Stables’ Falcor. The pair earned a first round score of 90 and second round score of 89 for a total of 179.
Berry’s second mount in the class, Oak Ledge Farm’s Cobalt Blue R, followed Falcor after earning a Classic round score of 86 and a Handy score of 90 for a total score of 176.
Julie Curtin of Woodstock, Georgia followed Barry into third place with Susan Scherer’s Vanquish after earning a first round score of 82 and a second round score of 92 for an overall score of 174.
Cape Capital, owned by Susan Friedland and ridden by Lauren Kissel of Canton, Georgia, earned fourth place after posting a Classic round score of 88 and a Handy score of 85 for a total of 173.
Fifth place was awarded to On the Rocks, owned and ridden by Morgan Connoly of Buford, Georgia, who earned a first round score of 81 and a second round score of 87 for a total score of 168.
Sixth place was awarded to Suntrust, owned by Sandra Ward and ridden by Jacqueline Ward, after the pair posted a Classic round 78 and a Handy round of 84 for a total score of 162.
Curtin returned for the seventh place ribbon, this time in the irons of Charlotte Warren’s Enticement, after posting a first round score of 83 and Handy round of 74 for a total of 157.
Eighth place went to Megan Kerpsack of Austin, Texas and her own Finnie after earning a first and second round score of 76 for a total of 152.
Karen Kegan’s Casino Royal, ridden by Karen Kogon of Decatur, Georgia, won ninth place, and After Party, owned and ridden by Caitlin Davies of Milton, Georgia, earned tenth place. Pansy Winters’ Wheels of Fortune, ridden by Cindy Ball of Covington, Georgia, placed eleventh, and Kerpsack returned for twelfth place with her own Finale.
Berry and Varios on their way to the win in the $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome
After collecting his blue ribbon in the Hunter Arena, Berry moved to the Olympic Grand Prix Stadium and the $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome.
Paul Jewell of Lambertville, New Jersey set the course with a first round time allowed of 84 seconds. Berry and Willoughby Stables’ Varios and Amanda Forte of Glenmoore, Pennsylvania, riding Cerulean Stables’ HHS Louis, were the only two horse and rider teams to turn in clear first rounds.
Forte and HHS Louis went clear in their second round effort, beating the time allowed of 45 seconds with their own 38.536 seconds. Berry and Varios followed Forte’s second round and beat her time with their own 36.122 seconds, taking the win!
Kris Killam of Naples, Florida and Helene Jones’ Skyfall were the fastest of the four fault rounds and posted a time of 76.611 seconds, earning a third place ribbon.
Corini, owned by Darragh Kerrins and ridden by Paul Macrae of Alpharetta, Georgia, placed fourth after posting a four fault first round in a time of 77.529 seconds.
Killam returned for fifth place, this time in the irons of Mandy Killam’s Black Diamond, after turning in a four fault first round in a time of 77.910 seconds.
ML Hartwick, owned by Nelson Long and ridden by Aida Sanchez Long of Ooltewah, Tennessee, turned in a four fault first round in a time of 80.634 seconds and placed sixth. Sanchez Long returned for a seventh place ribbon with Katie Barnette’s Catalyst after posting a four fault first round in a time of 80.934 seconds. Sherry Hill of Cordele, Georgia wrapped the class up with the eighth place ribbon on her own Mimmo TZ with a four fault first round in at time of 82.206 seconds.
All sponsorship and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel at lisa@classiccompany.com.
The last $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby of the 2016 Gulf Coast Winter Classic took place yesterday and twenty horse and rider teams took to the hunt over a course designed by Allen Rheinheimer, Gulf Coast Classic Company’s Course Designer and Technical Coordinator.
Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama, who Week II earned the top three ribbons in the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Circuit’s $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, proved herself again to be the ‘Derby Queen’ of the Gulf Coast after she led both the Classic and Handy Rounds in the irons of Sabina Holtzman’s Re Chiste. The pair earned a first round score of 88 and a Handy score of 89 for a total of 177 which awarded them a first place ribbon.
Ramble On Farm’s Little Rock, ridden by Kaitlyn Williams of Wayne, Pennsylvania, finished in second place after earning a first round score of 87 and Handy score of 79 for a total of 166. Roland Park, owned by Mount Fair Equine, LLC and ridden by Dudley MacFarlane of Crozet, Virginia, followed in third with a first round score of 80.5 and second round score of 85 for an overall score of 165.5.
Kathleen Caya of Oconomowo, Wisconsin, in the irons of Andy Kocher’s Icali, earned a fourth place ribbon after earning a Classic round score of 83 and a Handy score of 81.5 for a total of 164.5.
Sarah Percy MacMillan’s Space Cadet, ridden by Callie Schott of Versailles, Kentucky, earned a first round score of 78 and a Handy score of 83 for a total of 161 and a fifth place ribbon. Sixth was awarded to Megan Martin’s Signature, ridden by Caroline Wilson of Germantown, Tennessee, after earning a Classic round score of 79 and Handy score of 83 for a total of 161.
Honor, owned and ridden by Salter Hydinger of Birmingham, Alabama, earned a seventh place ribbon after earning a first round score of 76 and a second round score of 82 for a total of 158. Williams returned for the eighth place ribbon, this time in the irons of Ramble on Farm’s Shaq, after earning a first round score of 77.5 and a Handy score of 77 for a combined total of 154.5.
Cathleen Driscoll of Elk Mills, Maryland rode her own Good Times to a ninth place finish after earning a first round score of 80 and a second round score of 74 for a combined total of 154. Hydinger returned for a tenth place ribbon, this time in the irons of her own Motivation, and Shepherd returned for eleventh place in the irons of Helen Gilbert’s White Lightening. Williams and Ramble On Farm’s Casan wrapped up the class in twelfth place.
The two weekly $1,000.00 Pre-Green Hunter Divisions, offered for only $5.00 per horse, continued to see big numbers Week VI. Twenty-one horse and rider teams competed for the championship in the 3′ Division which welcomed Miki Moto, owned and ridden by Jennifer Jones of Ocala, Florida, to the winner’s circle. Reserve Champion honors went to Mindy Wurzburg, LLC’s Shipshape, ridden by Tim Maddrix of Leeds, Alabama.
The $1,000 3’ Pre-Green Division awarded Rio Vista Farm’s Casswell, ridden by Jordan Gilchrist of Flower Mound, Texas, the Championship, and Reserve Champion honors went to Zorro, owned and ridden by Kathleen Caya of Oconomowo, Wisconsin. That was a $5.00 Division fee worth spending!
“We are very happy that riders and owners took advantage of this special $5 Division offering at our Gulf Coast Winter Classic Circuit in Pensacola and here in Gulfport,” commented Bob Bell, President of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic. “In view of the popularity of this offering we are delighted to be offering the weekly $1,000 Pre-Green Divisions for only $5.00 per horse at the inaugural Jacksonville Spring Classics this April,” he said.
Next week the Atlanta Spring Classic gallops onto the historic Georgia International Horse Park for two weeks of AA competition and more than $200,000 up for grabs! It’s not too late to reserve a stall. Email Jonathan@classiccompany.com and then enter online for no additional fees at horseshowsonline.com.
All press and sponsorship inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel at lisa@classiccompany.com.
Isabella Baxter pilots her own Chief to the win in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby.
Friday’s weather may not have been sunny, but it was raining hunters as Week V at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic celebrated all levels of hunter horses.
The $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by Tucci awarded Isabella Baxter of Wright City, Missouri and her own Chief the blue ribbon after earning a combined first and second round score of 163. Sabina Holtzman’s Top Hat, ridden by Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama, won second place honors after earning a combined score of 157. The yellow ribbon was awarded to James Fisher’s Amara, ridden by Christina Fisher of Alpharetta, Georgia, for their combined score of 155.
Shepherd returned for a fourth place ribbon, this time in the irons of Amy Valiollahi’s Energia. The pair earned a combined score of 153. Fifth place went to Ntec Labros, owned and ridden by Hunter Shedd of Parker, Texas. Sixth was awarded to Eric Lamon of Argyl, Texas and his own Akadian for their combined first and second round score of 134. For complete results, click here.
The $5 Pre-Green Division continues its popularity and Week V saw twenty-six horse and rider teams compete in the 3′ Division. Cecilia Halsey’s Who Dat, ridden by Terry Brown of Canton, Georgia, won the Championship and Joan Alberti’s Hopper Hill, ridden by Jason Berry of Verona, Virginia, won the Reserve Champion honors. Cheryl Rubinstein’s Capisce, ridden by Tim Maddrix of Leeds, Alabama, was awarded Champion in the 3’3 Pre-Green Division, and Jason Berry rode away with the Reserve ribbon in the irons of Frances Porter’s Pappernich.
“We are thrilled that riders are taking advantage of our $5 Pre-Green Division and using these classes to gain valuable show mileage for their horses,” commented Bob Bell, President of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic. “We’re delighted to continue this offering at our inaugural Jacksonville Spring Classic,” he added.
Next week is the final week of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic and the last opportunity until Jacksonville to compete in the Pre-Green Division for only $5 per horse. That’s right, five dollars! Don’t miss out on this epic offering. A few stalls remain so email jonathan@classiccompany.com and enter online for no additional fees.
All press and sponsorship inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel at lisa@classiccompany.com.
Sarah Young pilots Beyond Time to the win in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby.
Week III of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic is underway! Perfect blue, sunny skies and pleasant temperatures were the backdrop to the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Tucci, that saw a field of twenty-seven horse and rider teams take to the hunt over a course designed by Tommy McIntyre of Batavia, Illinois.
Taylor Singleton’s Riesling, ridden by Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama, trifecta winner of last week’s $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, earned the highest Classic Round score of 85. Samantha Hall’s Beyond Time, ridden by Sarah Young of Spring Hill, Kansas, finished right behind her in the first round with a score of 84, setting the stage for an interesting Handy Round.
Durgin Park, owned by Henrietta Hall and ridden by Sarah Invicta Williams of Santa Fe, New Mexico, were behind Beyond Time with a first round score of 83.5, and Whitny, owned by Gabrielle Smoller and ridden by Young, finished fourth in the Classic Round with a score of 83.
Micaela Kennedy’s Magnus Hermes, ridden by D. Samuel Pegg of Sutton West, Missouri, sat in fifth place after the first round with a score of 82.5.
Julie Curtin of Woodstock, Georgia was first to go in the Handy Round in the irons of Enticement, owned by Charlotte Warren, after earning a first round score of 76. Their Handy Round score of 85, for an overall score of 160, moved them into a seventh place finish overall.
Whitny and Young followed Curtin in the Handy Round after earning a first round score of 83. Their second round score of 87 for a combined total of 170 which would see them finish in fourth place overall.
Carrera, owned and ridden by Melanie Jeanes of Dallas, Texas, returned for their Handy Round after earning a first round score of 77. Their Handy Round score of 75 for a combined total of 152 would see them finish in tenth place overall.
Sabina Holtzman’s Re Chiste, ridden by Pegg, stood in sixth place after the first round, earning a score of 82.5. However, their Handy Round Score of 87 and combined overall score of 170 would move the pair up to third place overall.
Molly Ben Menachem’s Abstract, ridden by Sarah Scheiring of Stockton, New Jersey, returned for the Handy Round after earning a first round score of 79. Their second round score of 48 would see them drop from eighth to a twelfth place finish overall with a combined score of 127.
In seventh position after a first round score of 80, Mia Mask-Wittman’s Qirius, ridden by Ann De Michele of Haymarket, Virginia, earned a Handy score of 80 for a total score of 160, which would see them finish in eighth place overall.
Durgin Park and Invicta Williams were sitting in third place when they entered their Handy Round, but a second round score of 89 for a total of 171.5 would move them up to second place overall.
Sue Takata of Athens, Texas, in the irons of Stoneridge Farm’s A Timely Affair, sat in tenth place before their Handy Round with a score of 77.5. Their second round score of 70 for a combined total of 147.5 awarded them the eleventh place ribbon.
Beyond Time and Young sat in second place after their Classic Round. Their second round score of 90 moved them into first place with a combined score of 174, but Shepherd and Reisling had yet to go.
Happenstance, owned by Stonebridge Farms and ridden by Lauren Takata of Athens, Texas, sat in ninth place after a Classic Round score of 78. Their Handy Round score of 76 for a combined total of 154 would see them finish in ninth place overall.
Shepherd and Riesling sat in the last to go position and had the lead going into their Handy Round; however, a second round score of 83 for a combined total of 168 would see them finish in fifth place overall and secure the win for Young and Beyond Time.
The Gulf Coast Winter Classic is open season for the Hunters. All Hunters! With the second largest amount of prize money awarded in a USHJA International Hunter Derby in the country this year, the hunters are flocking to the Gulf Coast Winter Classic. The $77,700 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Brook Ledge Horse Transportation, is scheduled for Week V, Friday, March 11 and some of the top hunter riders in the country will be competing on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
In the meantime, the Hunter divisions are heating up and entries continue to grow each week. The epic $5 Pre-Green Division offering has the rings packed with horses looking to earn valuable mileage and owners and riders looking to save some green!
The 3′ Pre-Green Division yesterday exceeded Week II entries and riders from New Jersey, Texas, West Virginia, Virginia, Missouri, Alabama, Louisiana, Maryland, Georgia and Canada were well represented.
Rappaport, owned by Brianna Johnson and ridden by Thomas Brennan of Charleston, West Virginia, was crowned the 3′ Pre-Green Hunter Champion and Cecilia Halsey’s Who Dat, ridden by Terry Brown of Canton, Georgia, was Reserve Champion.
Tim Maddrix and Capisce
The 3’3 Pre-Green Hunter Championship was awarded to Cheryl Rubinstein, LLC’s Capisce, ridden by Tim Maddrix, and Reserve Champion went to Frances Porter’s Pappernich ridden by Jason Berry.
The Baby Green Hunter Championship was awarded to D’Artagnon, owned by Rachael Murphy and ridden by Breezy Sambola, and Reserve Champion honors went to Gambling Joy, owned and ridden by Ivy Nyberg.
The Hopeful Hunter Championship was awarded to Brazos, owned by Kathryn Luke and ridden by James Hensen. Salomon, owned by Susan Schwartz and ridden by Grace Prichard, earned the Reserve Champion honors.
The Gulf Coast Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on Gulf Coast Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.
All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.
Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!
See you at the ring,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd. www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311 Johns Island SC 29457
The $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Legend, took place Friday at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola Circuit under sunny skies in Pensacola, Florida.
Liddy Strickland’s Valentine, ridden by Sarah Milliren of Jenks, Oklahoma, led the class after the first round with a score of 88. Kirsten Pollin’s Cartagena BD, ridden by Marylisa Leffler of Brookeville, Maryland, was right behind her with a score of 87, and Gray Street, owned and ridden by Alexandra Panetta of Brookeville, Maryland, stood in third place on the class after posting a first round score of 84.
New Dream, owned and ridden by Hailey Henderson of Lafayette, Louisiana, was first to go in the Handy round after posting a first round score of 67. Their second round score of 63 for a total of 130 points had the pair finish in sixth place overall.
Catherine Kologinczak’s Carino, ridden by Christian Rogge of Spring, Texas, followed New Dream in the Handy round after posting a first round score of 73. They earned a Handy score of 76 and a combined total of 149 which moved the pair into fourth place overall.
Gray Street and Alexandra Panetta followed and earned a Handy score of 87 for a total score of 171, which would see the pair temporarily take the lead. The lead was short lived since Marylisa Leffler followed Gray Street in the irons of Cartagena BD, and earned a second round score of 90 and a total score of 177 which took the lead and moved Gray Street into second place.
Valentine, ridden by Sarah Milliren, was in the lead after the first round; however, their Handy round earned 78 points for a total score of 166, and would see the pair drop to third place overall.
Cayenne, owned by Madison Barksdale and ridden by Hailey Henderson, finished in fifth place overall after posting first and second rounds of 72 and 65, respectively, while Third Day, owned by Abigail Beaty and ridden by Christina Jason of Aiken, South Carolina, finished in seventh place overall.
The Gulf Coast Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on Gulf Coast Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.
All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.
Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!
See you at the ring,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd. www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311 Johns Island SC 29457
Christina Jason pilots End Game to the win in yesterday’s $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby.
Christina Jason of Aiken, South Carolina and Southland Stables’ End Game were definitely ‘game on’ yesterday at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola Circuit when the pair won the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Legend, out of a field of twelve horse and rider teams.
End Game was first to go in the class and earned a first round score of 89 which included four bonus points. They held the high score for the first round which put the pair in the leading advantage as they entered the Handy round.
“The class was a lot of fun! My horse rode well and jumped great over a very nice, but challenging, course,” commented Christina Jason.
Gray Street, owned and ridden by Alexandra Panetta of Brookeville, Maryland, received a first round score of 86. However, End Game’s Handy score of 91 and combined score of 180 beat Gray Street’s second round score of 88 and combined score of 174.
Rockaway, owned and ridden by Lee Cesery of Jacksonville, Florida, received a first round score of 85. They pair earned a Handy round score of 88.5 and combined score of 173.5 which would see the pair finish in third place overall.
Third Day, owned by Abigail Beaty and ridden by Christina Jason of Aiken, South Carolina, received a first round score of 84 and second round score of 89. Their combined score of 173 would see the pair finishing in fourth.
Scutosa, owned by North Ridge Equine, Inc. and ridden by Casey Johns of Palatka, Florida, finished in fifth place overall after receiving scores of 81 and 84, respectively, with a combined score of 165.
Christina Jason returned for sixth place honors this time in the irons of Cynthia Hallman’s Fig Street’s Duchess. The pair earned scores of 80 and 81, respectively, and a combined score of 161.
Ricardo, owned and ridden by Audrey Muscari of Germantown, Tennessee, finished in seventh overall with a combined score of 159. Can’t Buy Me Love, owned and ridden by Mathieu Rein of Milton, Georgia, finished in eighth place with an overall score of 157, and ninth place was awarded to Perfect Gentleman, owned and ridden by Brittany Wyatt of Fayetteville, Georgia. Julie Curtin of Woodstock, Georgia rode Harbor Hill, LLC’s Hitchcock to tenth place and Charlotte Warren’s Entitlement to eleventh place. Signature, owned by Megan Martin and ridden by Caroline Wilson of Germantown, Tennessee, wrapped up the class in twelfth place.
Pensacola is underway! The fifth anniversary of the Gulf Coast Classic Pensacola Circuit started Wednesday and will run through January 31st before the circuit heads to Gulfport, Mississippi for six weeks of AA world-class show jumping.
The talk of the horse show world is the $5.00 Pre-Green Division offered only at the 2016 Gulf Coast Winter Classics. This special offering is a testament to the Classic and Gulf Coast Classic Company’s commitment to the development of the young horses in the United States. For only $5.00, owners and trainers can earn valuable competition mileage for their young horses. The specially priced division will be extended to all Gulf Coast Classic shows in Gulfport following the Pensacola Circuit.
For those looking to get from barn to ring to camper to office a bit faster, rent a golf cart! The Golf Cart Guy is onsite and has several golf carts available to rent while showing at the Gulf Coast Pensacola Circuit. You don’t need to hoof it! Call 919.337.7456 to reserve your cart now.
Still on the fence? Come discover why the grass is greener on the Gulf and join us on the Emerald Coast in Pensacola, Florida. Call the office at 228.832.2745 to reserve your stalls today and you can enter online at horseshowsonline.com.
The Gulf Coast Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on Gulf Coast Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at www.gulfcoastclassiccompany.com.
All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director, at lisa@classiccompany.com.
Stay up to date: Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!
See you at the ring,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd. www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311 Johns Island SC 29457
Lexington, VA – August 8, 2015 – Betty and Ernie Oare just purchased Attila a month ago, and Winn Alden only sat on the gelding for the first time on Friday, but following the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Lexington National Horse Show, the owners, rider and talented gelding seemed every bit the veteran winning team.
In their first time in the show ring together, Alden and Attilla bested a field of 37 other horses to win Friday evening’s national derby, held at the Virginia Horse Center and generously sponsored by Chatham Hall.
“Winn hadn’t shown him at all, and she jumped up and did phenomenally here,” Betty said. “She gave him a beautiful ride. She had two other really nice horses in there tonight, very competent horses that can win in any company, so we were proud of the win tonight. She did a fabulous job.”
The derby win at the Virginia Horse Center was particularly special for the Oares, as Ernie serves as the Virginia Horse Center Foundation Board President, and the couple has been extremely instrumental in the ongoing positive changes at the Horse Center.
“I was really nervous riding for the Oares here!” Alden laughed. “I was nervous because I know [Attila]’s a good horse. They didn’t put pressure on me. I put pressure on myself. My other two in the class had little mishaps in the handy round, so he was my last chance, and he really came through.”
Alden and Attilla picked up an early lead in the class, earning the first round high score of 89 over the Glenn Moody designed course, but their lead would not go uncontested in the second round. Amy Nunnally and Cailler, owned by Carilynn Peyton, had finished the first round on a score of 84.25, but in the second round, they earned the highest score of the class: a 93 including the four high option points.
Their handy round efforts shot Nunnally and Cailler to the top of the leader board with a score of 177.25 and put the pressure on for Alden as the final rider to return. With a second seamless round utilizing all four high option fences, Alden and Attila clinched the victory with a handy round score of 92 and an overall total of 181, while Nunnally and Cailler finished in second.
“It was fun to watch Amy [Nunnally],” Alden said. “She’s my good friend, and she’s been a good friend for a long time. We’ve been in this situation before where she’s put in a really good handy round, so I had to step it up to stay ahead of her. At Deep Run she got me and I ended up behind her, so here I got to stay up front. It’s fun when someone puts the pressure on you like that.”
The win in the derby marks part of a “dream week” for Alden at the Lexington National Horse Show. Earlier in the week she rode to the Conformation Hunter championship, the First Year Green Hunter championship, the High Performance Hunter championship and the ultimately the overall grand hunter championship title on Celtic Gold, owned by Meg Valnoski.
“I really enjoy coming here; I’ve been coming here for a long time,” Alden said of the Virginia Horse Center. “Leslie Brown is such a great person and a great manager; Andrew [Ellis] is always great to work with, and Sarah [Jackson] is one of the best in-gate people around.”
Classes like the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Lexington National Horse Show would not be possible without the support of generous sponsors including Chatham Hall. The all-girls college preparatory boarding school’s riding program offers forward seat fundamentals woven with modern hunter and equitation styles in accordance with horsemanship. Chatham Hall Riding strives to create the multitasking rider of today, making the school one of the top equestrian boarding schools in the country. Learn more about the Chatham Hall riding program online at www.chathamhall.org.
Sarah Boston Is Best in VHSA Children’s Hunter Seat Medal Final
Sarah Boston, 15, worked hard throughout the year to qualify for the Virginia Horse Show Association (VHSA) Children’s Hunter Seat Medal Final, so when she broke her foot a few weeks out from the final, she was not going to let that stop her.
On Friday night at the Lexington National Horse Show, Boston, with broken foot and all, topped the field of 36 other qualified entries to win the 2015 VHSA Children’s Hunter Seat Medal title.
“I didn’t get cleared until Tuesday to ride,” Boston, of Owings Mills, Maryland, said. “It feels really good [to win], especially because I just started riding my horse again [after the injury], and he really just took care of me. He’s perfect.”
Boston, who trains with Amy and Streett Moore at the McDonogh School, and her mount, Royal Ace, were one of six pairs from the initial starting field called back to execute additional testing over fences. With a well-executed test, Boston moved ahead from the third place position to take the win. Finishing in second was Lekha Ramachandran of Greensboro, North Carolina, and taking the third place award was Madison Busey of Ashburn, Virginia.
While the VHSA Children’s Hunter Seat Medal Final is complete for Boston that does not mean that the young rider is going to take more time off from her injury. Next weekend, she will head to Culpeper, Virginia for the Tad Coffin Junior Equitation Finals.
At the Lexington National Horse Show, the VHSA Medal Finals continue with the VHSA Championship on the Flat, the VHSA/EMO Hunter Seat Medal Final and the VHSA Horsemanship Championship all on Saturday evening. Competition continues on Sunday with the VHSA/EMO Adult Medal Finals beginning at 8 a.m. in the Anderson Coliseum.
To learn more about the Virginia Horse Center and the Lexington National Horse Show, visit www.horsecenter.org.
The Virginia Horse Center is situated on a 573-acre site with eight barns to accommodate 750 horses in permanent stabling. Indoor stabling can be increased to 1,200 horses with the use of temporary stalls. The Virginia Horse Center hosts 19 show rings, including two large arenas and a five-mile Olympic cross-country course. Four of the Virginia Horse Center barns are winterized with close access to the 4,000 seat indoor coliseum. The Virginia Horse Center is recognized for the excellent footing of its show rings and the durable construction of the concrete stalls. The Virginia Horse Center also offers camping facilities and on-site food and beverage services. Find the Horse Center online at www.horsecenter.org.
Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
Lexington, KY – July 26, 2015 – When it comes to winning the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, Molly Sewell and EL Raymond are two-for-two. The pair won the class last year at the Kentucky Horse Park, and they returned on Sunday to do it again this year.
“He never lets me down. I think we’ve been in the top four of every derby that we’ve ever done – usually winning because that’s what Raymond does,” Sewell laughed following her victory.
At 17 years old, the Warmblood gelding is owned and regularly competed in the Adult Amateurs by Leslie Campbell and can still out jump and outshine horses half his age, as he did on Sunday.
Sewell and EL Raymond went early in the order over the Joseph Carnicom-designed course to earn a score of 90 plus four high option points for a 94. That score would hold up through the entire first round as the best in the class. Sitting in second going into the handy round were Emma Kurtz and VIP Z on a score of 92, while Lilly French and Candor rounded out the top three on a score of 91.
As the top 12 returned for the handy round in reverse order of their standings, it was Addison Piper and Billy the Kid, owned by Cory Olson, who made the biggest jump up the ranks. The pair came in to round two in seventh place on a score of 84.5, but seamless round utilizing great handiness and all four of the high options would earn them a score 88 and shoot them to an overall total of 172.5. That total would end up being good enough to capture the third place award.
Heading into the top three contenders, French and Candor, owned by Redfield Farm, were the first to return. They gave a second solid performance, earning a score of 89 for a two round total of 180, which would put them ahead of Piper and Billy the Kid by 7.5 points.
“This is only my second hunter derby on this horse,” 15-year-old French said. “He’s only 7, and he just started doing the 3’6, so now we’re doing the 3’6 juniors. He’s the scopiest horse out there. He’s never bucked. He’s never done anything wrong, and he has the sweetest personality. You can just stand in his stall, and he’ll just play with you for forever.”
Following French’s impressive performance, it all came down to Kurtz and VIP Z and Sewell and EL Raymond. Kurtz returned next, but a disappointing refusal at the trot fence dropped them from second to 12th with an overall total score of 136.
Sewell and EL Raymond returned next, picked up an immediate and direct canter to the first jump and went straight to another score from the judges of 94. Together the pair’s dual scores of 94 would give them a 188 total and clinch their victory.
“He was really, really good,” Sewell said. “He was kind of dull in the schooling area so I thought ‘oh come on, Raymond. Wake up.’ I don’t know why I ever doubt that he’s going to wake up and jump flawlessly and beautifully. He was so high over everything and so smooth. He didn’t touch one jump; he was just right on it.”
EL Raymond, whose name stands for Everybody Loves Raymond, is extremely well loved in the barn and around the horse show, where Sewell says he has quite the fan club.
“He just brings us a lot of joy – the whole barn,” said owner Leslie Campbell. “He’s got a huge personality and all this talent. He’s just a treat. He’s really a gift.”
Campbell forewent showing EL Raymond in the Adult Amateurs this week in order to save the horse for the derby with Sewell, and Sewell will return to the derby ring on him again during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show.
Riders competing in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derbies held throughout the Kentucky Horse Show series are eligible for leading rider bonuses awarded to the leading professional, junior and amateur riders and generously sponsored by Hallway Feeds.
While Sewell is not necessarily contending the bonus this year, French says she may give it a go now that she continues to do well in the derbies.
“Originally I was just trying to enjoy it, but then I came down here, and I was like, ‘oh, I actually can do well, so I’ll just keep doing it,'” French said. “Whatever happens happens; it wasn’t like a ‘at-the-end-of-the-year-you’re-going-to-be-top-5’ thing. That wasn’t a goal for me; the goal for the year was just to get to know him and make the best out of whatever happens. Now I’m going to keep doing the derbies as much as I can.”
While Sunday marked the conclusion of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, hunter/jumper competition at the Kentucky Horse Park continues on Tuesday with the start of the Kentucky Summer Classic.
Blue for Brett Burlington in $25,000 U25 Grand Prix at Kentucky Summer Horse Show
Fresh off a successful week at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC), rising star Brett Burlington returned to the Rolex Stadium ready to give it her all during Sunday’s $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show.
Brett Burlington and Anders Wictor L
Out of 24 horse-and-rider combinations that attempted the Alan Wade-designed course, Burlington and Anders Wictor L were one of only three entries to advance to the jump off. Burlington was the final rider to go clear, joining previous qualifiers David Blake and Lorcan Gallagher.
Blake and Pine Hollow Farm’s Baron were the first to attempt the short course, clocking a time of 39.932 seconds and lowering two heights to earn the third-place spot.
Gallagher and Esquina Van Klapscheut stepped up to the plate next, delivering the fastest round with a time of 39.093 seconds, but clipping an unfortunate rail on the final fence to finish with four faults and the second-place ribbon.
“[Esquina Van Klapscheut] gets in the ring, and she fights hard to leave the jumps up,” Gallagher said. “She’s a trier; she’s really good at her job.”
Gallagher took over the ride for one of Sweet Oak Farm’s riders, Alexander Devries, just before the Country Heir Horse Show at the Horse Park, and he has seen great success with the mare since – including winning the $50,000 George Hennessy Grand Prix during Country Heir.
“Alex had been showing it all winter in Florida in the High Amateur classes and mediums. He’s been off doing something with school for the summer,” Gallagher explained. “It’s nice to be able to take over when he’s not here and be able to get some nice results.”
Burlington and Anders Wictor L were the final competitors to jump off, completing the short course in a conservative 44.714 seconds, simultaneously turning in the only double-clear effort of the day to secure the top spot.
“Since David had two down, and Lorcan had the last fence down, it kind of took the pressure off of me to go fast,” Burlington explained. “I knew that all I had to do was jump clear to win. Since Andrew’s stride is so big, you can’t really have a big jump into lines, because then you have to slow down a lot, so it’s important for time allowed to try to take room off the corners wherever you can and give him room at the oxers.”
Burlington and Anders Wictor L partnered up just before this year’s Winter Equestrian Festival, and the pair has experienced success ever since, most recently riding to team bronze during the NAJYRC.
Both Burlington and Gallagher train with Shane and Ali Sweetnam’s Sweet Oak Farm, based out of Spy Coast Farm, conveniently located adjacent to the Kentucky Horse Park.
“Michael DelFiandra trains Brett, and they do a great job together,” Gallagher said. “For her to be able to step up and be jumping against David and I in the jump-off is great. We’re a little bit older and more experienced, but she’s come out on top. That’s a great win for her.”
Gallagher continued, “We’re incredibly lucky to have the farm next door. We’re lucky that Sweet Oak Farm bases out of there, and I have to say thank you to Spy Coast and Lisa Lourie.”
Sunday marked the conclusion of jumper action during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, but classes will resume Tuesday as the Kentucky Summer Classic gets underway at the Kentucky Horse Park. Jumper highlights include the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic on Thursday and the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix on Saturday.
Kentucky Horse Shows 2015 Horse Show Series Fast Facts
Events:
Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, USEF National Pony Finals, Bluegrass Festival Horse Show and KHJA Horse Show, and the 2015 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals and the Pre Green Incentive Championship.
What:
The Kentucky Horse Show LLC’s 2015 series includes five weeks of top competition throughout the summer. These premier hunter/jumper competitions host the Hagyard Challenge Series with seven grand prix competitions that culminate with a Leading Rider Award, as well as the Hallway Feeds National Derby Series.
Where:
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, home to the United States Equestrian Federation.
When:
NORTH AMERICAN JUNIOR & YOUNG RIDER CHAMPIONSHIPS – July 14-19, 2015
KENTUCKY SUMMER HORSE SHOW – July 22-26, 2015
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix
$50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
KENTUCKY SUMMER CLASSIC – July 28 – August 2, 2015
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix sponsored by GGT Footings
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
2015 USEF PONY FINALS – August 4-9, 2015
BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL HORSE SHOW – August 11-16, 2015
USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship
USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix sponsored by Audi of Lexington
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
WCHR Member Event
KHJA HORSE SHOW – August 19-23, 2015
$10,000 Hagyard Welcome Stake
$30,000 KHJA Grand Prix
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Summer Series: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Hollow Creek Farm, GGT Footing, Rood and Riddle, Audi of Lexington, Sleepy P Ranch, CWD, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance, Take2 Thoroughbred Program, and the Official Hotel The Clarion
Hours:
8am – 5pm daily
Parking:
Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $15.00. Dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash.
Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located 8 miles northeast of Lexington, Kentucky at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.
Information:
Before Show – (859) 233-0492, Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show – Telephone: (859) 281-7979, Fax: (859) 231-6097
Stabling – Pat Duncan (503) 510-8797
Stable office – Before Show: (503) 510-8797, During Show: (859) 255-0605
Prize List Advertising – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Vendors – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Shownet – www.shownet.biz
Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry, and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.
Hotels:
CLARION HOTEL (http://www.clarionhotellex.com) (Formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859-233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles (OFFICIAL HOTEL)
Discover the place where elegant comfort in an ideal location meets excellent service and affordability. At the Clarion Hotel Lexington, you’ll find well-appointed accommodations with options of double/doubles, double queens, king rooms or suites, exceptional amenities such as our free hot breakfast buffet, and Southern hospitality at its finest. The best hotel for Keeneland – Located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region – home of the Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington Convention Center, University of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – our Lexington hotel is on Newtown Pike at Exit 115 on I-75, close to all the big attractions, and is the perfect place to stay whether you’re here to get down to business or have some fun. Best of all, bring your furry friends for any trip because the Clarion Hotel in Lexington is also pet-friendly.
CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS:
Reservations may not be made through the Horse Show office. To reserve a campsite at the Kentucky Horse Park for any of the horse shows, please call the Campground store at (800) 370-6416 or 859-259-4157 or email Ryan McGaughey at Ryan.mcgaughey@ky.gov. Be specific as to the show name and the dates you wish to stay. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. and checkout is 12:00 noon. You must make arrangements with the Campground store if you plan to arrive earlier than 2:00 p.m. or stay later than 12:00 noon. Vehicles that are not removed from a campsite by check-out time will be towed.
Week II of the Charleston Summer Classic has been non-stop fun for everyone at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center.
The $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby was the featured class last night and twenty-seven horse and rider teams competed for the blue.
A first round score of 74.5 was the cutoff point in order to move onto the handy phase. Grace Gumbel of Wilson, Louisiana rode her own Leopold to a second round score of 80 and combined 154.5, which would place the pair in eighth place overall.
Caracas, owned by Mary Claire Ray and ridden by Carlos Aramburo of Red Banks, Mississippi, earned a first round score of 75 and followed Leopold in the handy round. Their second round score of 77 for a combined total of 152 put the pair in ninth place overall.
Lynn Seithel of Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina and her own Versace earned a first round score of 76. Their handy round earned them an 81 for a combined score of 157. They would finish in sixth place overall.
DS Holdings, LLC’s Dsh Anka, ridden by Whitney Owens of Windcrest, Texas, earned a first round score of 84, but with a handy round score of 43, would finish with a total of 127 and in the twelfth place position.
Kendall Woodleif of Apex, North Carolina and her own Authentic Gold earned a first round score of 77. Their handy score of 68 and overall score of 145 would see them finish in eleventh place overall.
Aramburo returned for his second handy round, this time in the irons of Amy Yoder’s Unikat. The pair earned a first round score of 78 and a handy score of 78. Their total score of 156 earned them seventh place overall.
Antwerp, owned and ridden by Isabel Coleman of New Orleans, Louisiana, finished their first round with a score of 79. Their handy round earned them 81 points for a total of 160 and placed them in fifth place overall.
L’Esperado, owned by Amber Hill Farm and ridden by Emma Mandarino of Bedminster, New Jersey, placed fourth overall after turning in a first round score of 85 and a handy round of 76 for a total of 161 points.
Owens returned for her second handy round, this time in the irons of DS Holdings, LLC’s MTM Ex Go. Her second round score of 59 combined with her first round score of 86 put them in tenth place overall with a score of 146.
Life Is Good, owned and ridden by Missy Nolen of Leeds, Alabama, earned a first round score of 87. Their handy round score of 79 for a total of 166 points had the pair finish third overall.
Addison Bihm’s Forever, ridden by Emily Hertz of Cordova, Tennessee, earned an 88 in their first round. Their second round score of 84 for a total of 172 points would see the pair finish in second place.
Samaritan, owned by Jennifer Munday and ridden by Julie Curtin of Woodstock, Georgia, had the leading first round score of 90. Their handy round also led the pack with a score of 92 for a total of 182 points and they secured the win.
Jennifer Munday was also awarded the Kastel Denmark Hunter Style of Riding Award.
The Classic Company is a USHJA’s Members Choice Award winner, recognized for producing top quality show jumping events in the United States. For more information on Classic Company and its exhibitor-friendly, top quality hunter jumper events, please visit them at classiccompany.com or call them at 843-768-5503.
All sponsorship, marketing and press inquiries should be directed to Lisa Engel, Sponsorship, Marketing and Public Relations Director at lisa@classiccompany.com.
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See you at the ring,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd. www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX: (843) 768-5503
Post Office Box 1311 Johns Island SC 29457
