Jennifer Hulkko and Kim Barone Notch Wins in 3’6″ Performance Hunters at Summer in the Rockies V

Jennifer Hulkko and Brego.

Parker, CO – July 10, 2013 – Jennifer Hulkko on Lisa Martinez-Bates’ Brego and Kim Barone on Hannah Pattermann’s Dolce Vita turned in stellar rounds to score wins in the 3’6″ Performance Hunters and kick off Summer in the Rockies V at the Colorado Horse Park. Hunter divisions drew many entries and competition was fierce, promising an exciting day on Thursday as riders return to settle the divisional championships.

Hulkko and Brego got the 3’6″ Performance division off to a strong start with a smooth, expressive round that earned them the win in the first over fences class. “I thought the course was great, a little different,” Hulkko said. “They had a bending line in there today. I thought the jumps were super inviting and the lines were flowing. It rode really nicely.”

Brego’s steadiness and consistency over fences make him a straightforward ride, according to Hulkko. “He’s really solid,” she noted. “He doesn’t look at the jumps. He’s got a big step through the lines, so it’s always nice and easy – if something is set long, you never have to worry about it.”

Hulkko rides for Randy Henry and Micca Henry-Sowder, and she began riding Brego two months ago to bring him back into the show ring. “I just started riding for them a few months ago, and they gave him to me to ride and get going,” she explained. “It’s been mostly just getting him fit, getting him in a program and getting in the show ring. He definitely knows his job, so I don’t have to work on details too much with him.”

Hulkko opted out of the handy round with Brego, who is for sale and had a prospective buyer coming to try him. The pair returned later to collect another blue ribbon in the under saddle class. Their absence in the handy round opened the door for another horse and rider to step up for the win, and Kim Barone and Dolce Vita laid down an impressive trip to claim the top spot.

When Dolce Vita came out with a lot of energy in the first class, Barone chose to use that trip as a learning experience for the mare. “My horse was really fresh and kind of naughty in the first round, so I circled and schooled her to get her focused,” Barone explained. “In the handy, she settled in and was more focused.”

Hannah Pattermann, Dolce Vita’s owner, competes in the Junior Hunters. “She’s getting ready to go to Junior Hunter Finals next month, so showing here at the Colorado Horse Park is really good preparation,” Barone said. “Her owner will show her in the Junior Hunters this week and also in the International Hunter Derby.”

“She’s a lovely mare,” Barone added. “She jumps great. She really wants to give a beautiful jump all the time.”

The 3’3″ Performance Hunters were similarly competitive, with many top combinations coming out to vie for a chance at the divisional championship. Sarah Young and Kara Kahn’s Maverick won in the first round over fences, Sally Parks and Rachel Wood’s Caillou scored in the handy, and Audrey Buck rode Patricia Murphy’s Edwina to first place in the hack.

Parks’ plan of attack for the handy course worked to perfection. Riders began over a fence that proved spooky for some horses, then tackled challenging turns and a trot fence with different options. A five-section fence gave riders three options for fence 2 and two options for fence 4, a trot jump.

“I thought the courses were really fun and forward,” Parks said. “In the handy, I thought I needed a lot to fence 1, because I saw a lot of horses peeking at it. So I got a really good canter to fence 1, and then just looked early and saw the straw (the five-section jump) – I thought that was awesome, with the options.”

“The left turn to the birch was great, and very tricky,” she continued. “You had to go straight into the trot, and then get a big powerful canter to the oxer, go inside to the two-stride, and bend to the last fence. It was really fun.”

Parks trains Caillou for owner Wood. Wood rides Caillou in the Adult Amateur Hunters, 18-35, and will be showing him later in the week.

“We’ve worked hard on this horse,” Parks said. “He’s really funny. His name is Caillou, like the cartoon. Sometimes he can be tricky – sometimes he gets on his own agenda. But he’s really sweet and he wants to do a good job.”

She said his expression is one of his strengths. “He always has great ears,” she smiled. “He’s happy to do his job. He loves his job.”

In the Second Year Green/High Performance Hunters, Maggie Jayne and Pony Lane Farm’s Fredrick put in the most consistent performances. Jayne and Fredrick were first over fences, second in the handy and first in the hack. Their eye-catching first round was one of the highlights of the day’s action in the Olson Family Hunter Arena.

“It went beautifully!” Jayne said. “I thought the courses were great and the jumps were very appealing and pretty. We had a good time.”

She said her goal was to showcase the horse and his movement. “He has such a pretty gait and I always try to keep it smooth and relaxed and just have the jumps come and go,” she said. “He’s a good mover and a good jumper, and has a great attitude – calm and relaxed. So I’ve got the total package. I’m very lucky.”

Jayne’s younger sister, Haylie Jayne, also had a successful day, sweeping all three classes in the First Year Green Hunters aboard Starina B.

Laurie Jueneman and Rio’s Firefly edged out Maggie Jayne and Fredrick in the Second Year Green/High Performance handy class. Jueneman said she was pleased with the horse’s rapid improvement and felt the courses suited him well.

“I love the courses this week,” she said. “Everything’s flowing and really open, and that’s fun for us. This horse is super brave and a good turner.”

“I was particularly proud of the way he jumped the in-and-out today in both trips, particularly in the handy,” Jueneman added. “He hadn’t shown since last September – June was his first show – so this is only his third time doing the Second Years. I felt like he totally stepped up to the plate today. Every day he’s better and better and it’s just really fun.”

The Second Year Green/High Performance Hunter championship, along with the 3’6″ and 3’3″ Performance Hunter championships, will be determined Thursday as riders return to the Olson Family Hunter Arena for another full day of hunter competition.

The Colorado Horse Park Summer in the Rockies Fast Facts

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

Event Dates:

Summer in the Rockies I June 5-9, 2013
Summer in the Rockies II June 12-16, 2013
Summer in the Rockies III June 19-23, 2013
Summer in the Rockies IV July 3-7, 2013
Summer in the Rockies V July 10-14, 2013
Summer in the Rockies VI July 17-21, 2013

Prize List:

Click here for an online version of the 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. Opening date for Stall Reservations: April 1, 2013. Closing date May 20, 2013.

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

Tentative Schedule:
Wed – Sun: Show starts daily at 8 a.m. unless otherwise noted

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.

Mary Adelaide Brakenridge for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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