June 10, 20220 – Matt Cyphert (USA) and No Secret De La Pomme came up golden in the $40,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by The Farm House, scoring 382 points over two rounds to be the first to claim an international derby win under the lights in Tryon Stadium. Colin Syquia (PHI) and Front Page, the 2014 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Vigo D’Arsouilles x Cartagena Indias Ecaussinnes) owned by Cynthia Sulzberger, also produced a handy round score of 203 to take reserve on a two-round total of 378 points. Clinching the final podium spot, Kelli Cruciotti-Vanderveen (USA) and Gambler B scored 345 points over two rounds, with the yellow rosette presented to the 2011 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Campbell VDL x Adelwise VDL) owned by Serenity Farm.
Cyphert and the 2013 Belgian Warmblood gelding (RMF Cadeau De Muse x Geneve De Muse) owned by Beth Von Brecht navigated the course set by Skip Bailey (USA) for a score of 179 in the first round, clinching the win despite the fact that “Pom Pom” is brand-new to the discipline, he revealed:
“We’ve had him for about two years now, and we’ve done him in the jumpers with his owner, Beth Von Brecht. I’ve played with him in a couple of Midwest Grand Prixs. But you know, he just has such a good jump and he has the right mind for the Hunters, so we wanted to dabble in it a little bit,” he explained. “About a month ago, we did him in a horse show. He was fantastic: champion in the four-foot division, and good in the derby. I think he’s found a new career!”
Earning the perpetual honor of being the first duo to win an International Hunter Derby under the lights in Tryon Stadium, Cyphert noted that he had to contain his mount’s excitement after the first round and help Pom Pom relax into his new role.
“Since this class normally would have been a Grand Prix, and it would have benefited him to be a little bit awake and alert, we had to sort of work to chill him out, and take a breath. Even after the last jump in the first round, he was so good, and people clapped and he really wanted to get excited about that, but he held it together. I’m just so proud of him. He always tries hard.
“It [riding under the lights] obviously kind of adds to the suspense and the excitement of it all. For us, Derby Finals is on our radar. What a great preparation for a class like that! You had a nice crowd, with legitimate size jumps, and so they really got the same atmosphere that they’re going to have in a couple of months at Derby Finals,” Cyphert shared about the evening class.
Based in Argyle, TX, Cyphert and team make it a point to attend TIEC competition each year, Cyphert emphasized. “We have been coming here for years… I mean, years and years, and we love it. I was kind of laughing with J. P. [Godard] because I’ve won a couple Grands Prix here. I told him how much I liked this ring; it has a little bit of magic for me. Now, in the Hunters as well!”
Cyphert concluded of the venue, “I don’t know what you can’t like about it. I mean, the rings are fantastic, and it’s a well-run show. We love the area, too; there’s just so many things to do between golfing, hiking, restaurants, and more. The customers love it, we love it, J. P. does a great job running it. It’s always on our schedule every year – sometimes different times of the year – but we always make an effort to be here.”
Gulf Coast Winter Classics Week IV welcomed twenty-two horse and rider teams to the CWD $25,000 Grand Prix over a course designed by Paul Jewell of Windsor, New Jersey.
The first round time allowed was set at 86 seconds. Only nine horse and rider teams qualified for the jump off which was led by Gianna Aycock of Argyle, Texas and her own Flex A Tia. The pair earned eight jump faults and posted a time of 41.920 seconds.
Reid Rickett of North Port, Alabama and his own Banderas De Bornival followed in the jump off round order of go and earned four jump faults in a time of 43.799 seconds. The pair would finish in sixth overall.
Laura Conway of Little Rock, Arkansas and her own Ceralena were the next in the order of go and were the first to turn in a clear jump off round in a time of 48.931 seconds which took the lead and set the new time to beat.
Happy Comly of Sasche, Texas and Comly Sport Horses’ Clock-Wise CSH followed in the jump off order, but with eight jump faults in a time of 42.156 seconds would see the pair finish in ninth overall.
CHS Krooze, owned by Loretta Patterson and ridden by Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama, followed in the jump off order and turned in a clear jump off round in a time of 42.189 seconds, which took the lead and set the new time to beat.
Matt Cyphert of Argyle, Texas was up next with his own Lochinvar. “There were so many fast riders and horses in today’s Prix,” said Cyphert. “When Holly [Shepherd] went before me and I saw her time, I just started laughing. She and Krooze were so fast! I know my horse is fast, but I didn’t think I could beat her,” he said.
As it turned out, Cyphert and Lochinvar turned in a fault-free jump off round in a time of 41.884 seconds, taking the lead and moving Krooze and Shepherd into second place.
Cyphert commented, “The course went all over that beautiful grass field and it was really fun to ride. The triple combination was pretty early in the course and it was an early test. It caught a few people. The vertical after the triple combo going away from the gate was a little tall and caught some too,” he added. “It walked really nice but there were some questions which we weren’t really expecting,” he said. “It was a fair course, but rode tougher than we walked it.”
Alexandra Ansteth of Spring, Texas in the irons of August Pines Farm’s Mandras Van De Pannehoeve followed in the jump off order, but four jump faults in at time of 44.955 seconds would see them finish in seventh place overall.
Argyle, Texas’s Julie Cleveland Beam in the irons of Anastasia Stewart’s Lancelot were the next to go in the jump off round, but four jump faults in a time of 42.259 would award them the fifth place ribbon.
Shannon Hicks of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri and Helen Gilbert’s Emir D sat in the enviable last to go position. Although the pair turned in a fault-free round, their time of 47.841 seconds would see them finish in third place overall.
Cyphert commented, “Paul really knows how to get the best out of that field and builds for long gallops and places to be quick. The last line in the jump off round walked an 11 and many of us did 9 – we left a full two strides out! The footing is that good. After four weeks, it’s [the grand prix field] riding that well,” said Cyphert.
Cyphert said, “When I headed out today after the show, this couple came up to me in town. They know me from years of showing here at the Gulf and they were so excited to hear that we won. This show is so unique that way. Everyone is so friendly, the locals know the riders and their horses, the place is beautiful, and it’s one of our favorite shows of the year,” he said. “It was great to see so many Texans here this week too. It wasn’t an organized thing, but there’s a good group of us here. We’re really supportive and in all honesty, we were all rooting for the Texas folk,” he laughed.
Mill Spring, NC – September 28, 2020 – Matt Cyphert (Northlake, TX) and his own Lochinvar cleared the jump-off in 38.974 seconds to take home the win in Saturday’s $30,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). In second, John Angus (Fort Lauderdale, FL) and W. Tonix Hero, the 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Ogano Sitte x Major de la Cour) owned by Stephanie Angus, stopped the timers in 38.998 seconds, while Bryn Sadler (Santa Fe, NM) and Cinven CR, the 2007 Holsteiner gelding (Clearway x Coronado) owned by Showcase 81 LLC, collected third place on a time of 41.178 seconds.
The Peter Grant (CAN) course design saw 34 pairs challenge the first round of competition, with 12 entries returning for the jump-off track. Cyphert and the 2004 gelding (Karamiro x L’espirit) were able to capture a tight time set by Angus by putting in a smooth round, he reported:
“He’s a superstar horse! He’s the best horse I’ve ever ridden, and I’m old enough to know that by now. I’m fortunate with him as he’s really naturally fast. He’s quick across the ground and has a big step. He’s also really good at reading the jumps,” Cyphert added. “He doesn’t spend a lot of time in the air. I felt like if I followed the right track, there were enough places where I could run across the ring and use the speed to my benefit. I tell my clients all of the time that smooth is fast.”
Wilhelm Genn and Van Gogh Victorious in $15,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake
September 24, 2020 – Thursday’s $15,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake saw Wilhelm Genn (Lebanon, OH) pilot Van Gogh to victory in Tryon Stadium, stopping the jump-off timers at 44.409 seconds. Brittni Raflowitz (Palm City, FL) and Hilton van de Breepoel, the 2007 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Contact Van de Heffinck x Opium) owned by ESI Show Jumpers, Maarten Huygens & Darragh Kerins, claimed second on a time of 44.898 seconds, while third place went to Ramiro Quintana (Wellington, FL) and GQ, the 2011 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Contago x Cinderella) owned by Miriam McClure Adam, after their 45.634-second performance.
One of 27 entries in the first round and one of ten pairs to qualify for the short course over the Peter Grant (CAN) track, Genn explained that he was aiming for an efficient double-clear, but not necessarily the win with the 2008 Oldenburg gelding (Valentino x Caretano Z) owned in partnership with Patty Genn:
“He’s not a quick horse. He jumps a lot of clean rounds, but he’s not quick. So, for me, I like to start the course as fast as I finish. My goal for today, because I didn’t want to ruin my rideability for Saturday, was to have a nice double-clean, and to be efficient,” Genn detailed. “I wanted to get a good check hopefully if I stayed double-clear, but the goal is to win on Saturday. Winning today was a nice bonus! In the first round, I realized that in the jump-off I could do one less stride from 6A-B to 7. He’s a good turner, so it just came up nicely.”
Matt Cyphert and Hector [Photos: Alison Hartwell Photography]
Matt Cyphert of Northlake, Texas and Hannah Donald’s Hector won the $25,000 CWD Grand Prix over a course designed by world-renowned course designer Leopoldo Palacios.
“I think it’s really interesting how the course designers have such different styles. Last week we had Michel Vaillancourt and he is just brilliant and this week to have Leopoldo [Palacios]! Both are amazing and have such unique styles. We’re so lucky and fortunate to have those experiences with the top designers here in Gulfport,” he said.
“Leopoldo used the whole field and you galloped the whole thing. There weren’t a lot of related distances,” commented Cyphert. Of the fourteen horse and rider teams, only three qualified for the jump off and Cyphert had two in the mix.
Cyphert and his own Lochnivar were first to go in the jump off order and turned in a clear round in a time of 49.811 seconds, within the 60 seconds time allowed, setting the new time to beat. “I was first to go and I thought I was really fast on Lochnivar and thought he was really good. I’m at the in gate discussing strategy with my girlfriend Kelly and I turned to Pedro Tamayo who is my longtime groom and in charge of Hector and said, ‘I don’t think I can go that fast on Hector’. Then Jorge [Ludwig] went in and beat our time! Pedro turned to me and said, ‘Well I guess you have to now’,” he laughed. Jorge Ludwig of Newbury Park, California and his own Lamarque beat Lochnivar and Cyphert’s time with their own 49.042 seconds.
Last to go in the jump off order was Hector and Cyphert. “I’ve had Hector for a couple of years and the Donalds purchased him for their daughter. She did the Young Riders with him last year and then went off to school. So, we just sort of needed him to do something and continue to show,” said Cyphert.
“Leopoldo used a large part of the field for the jump off. There was one set track and we all did the same turns, so I just really tried to let him gallop between the jumps. That was the first time I really called upon Hector and the first time I pushed it with him. He was really good, just wonderful and listening to me, coming back before the jumps. It was a really fast jump off and I went as fast as I could, especially to the last jump which was the CWD jump. When I talked to Jorge after the class, that’s where he thought I caught him,” said Cyphert.
Hector and Cyphert finished their fault free jump off round in a time of 48.207 seconds and took the win! “We will never underestimate Hector again!” commented Cyphert.
“Hector is one of the most athletic horses I have ever ridden and he just covered the ground and jumped out of his skin,” said Cyphert. “The Donalds are fantastic people and clients and I’m so happy for them,” Cyphert added. “It’s a privilege to ride a horse that nice.”
The class wrapped up with Cyphert taking the first and third place ribbons with Hector and Lochnivar, respectively, and Ludwig taking the second place ribbon with his own Lamarique.
Sun Tzu, owned and ridden by Penny Brennan of Buhl, Alabama, picked up the fourth place ribbon as the fastest four-faulter with a time of 82.213 seconds, followed by Laura Connaway of Little Rock, Arkansas and her own Ceralena, who placed fifth with their four-fault first round in 83.852 seconds.
Sixth went to Sara Dees of Chatom, Alabama and her own Clearwater 5 for their four-fault first round in a time of 84.978 seconds. Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama earned a seventh and ninth place ribbon with Deja Krunic’s Belle Clara DKS and Loretta Patterson’s Sky High. Shannon Hicks of Lake St. Louis, Missouri picked up an eighth and twelfth place ribbon with Helen Gilbert’s Emir D and Al Pacini, respectively, while Dominique Damico of Berwyn, Pennsylvania and her own Canoso placed tenth. Brennan returned for an eleventh place ribbon in the irons on her own and Michelle Guardino-Dettelbach’s Mister Money.
“We were thrilled we won the class,” said Cyphert. “And then the craziest thing happened. I got a call from a friend with some terrible news. He told me that Jim Calareso who owned Fox Creek Mobile Equine Outfitters suddenly died of a heart attack this morning,” he said. “We were crushed. We went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows. Jim was such an icon in Colorado. I’ve known Jim for half of my life. He lived life to the fullest; he loved his friends, vacation and the entire equestrian community. His loss is huge to the Colorado horse community and those that knew and loved him,” he said. “So I am dedicating my win today to Jim. He meant so much to me and others. He will be terribly missed,” he added.
The $8,000 Horseflight Open Welcome took place on Friday and fourteen horse and rider teams tacked the course designed by Leopoldo Palacios. Only four advanced to a second round opportunity. Matt Cyphert and Suzanne Suitles Better Judgement turned in a clear second round in a time of 50.175 seconds, well within the 55 seconds time allowed and set the new time to beat.
Laura Connaway and Ceralena
Laura Connaway and her own Ceralena followed Cyphert and Better Judgement with a clear second round in a time of 48.697 seconds, moving Cyphert and Better Judgement into the second place position.
Penny Brennan and her own Sun Tzu were the next horse and rider team to advance to the jump off round. However, four faults in a time of 46.143 seconds would find them as the fastest four faulter and sitting in third place. Cyphert returned with Hector for their second round opportunity, but four faults in a time of 48.499 seconds would see them finish in fourth place overall.
Fifth was awarded to Dominique Damico and her own Canoso for their first round which suffered one time fault in a time of 86.330 seconds. Holly Shepherd and Hanley Morrison’s SCS Luigi placed sixth after earning two time faults for their first round in a time of 87.199 seconds.
Evan Coluccio of Middleburg, Virginia and EMC International’s Fluttersby placed seventh with their first round in a time of 87.672 seconds which earned them two time faults.
Brennan and her own and Michelle Guardino-Deffelbach’s Mister Money earned an eighth place ribbon after turning in a four fault first round in a time of 82.534 seconds.
Sara Dees of Chatom, Alabama and her own Clearwater 5 placed ninth after a four fault first round in a time of 84.940 seconds and Jorge Ludwig and his own Lamarique placed tenth.
The Arenus Jr/Amateur Owner Jumper Classics 1.20 m and 1.30 m awarded Madison Akins of Bogart, Georgia and her own Chasm Z the blue in the 1.20 m and Lila Sessums of Clinton, Mississippi and her own Jet the win in the Arenus 1.30 m Jr/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic.
Only six riders in the 1.20 m earned a second round opportunity and Akins and Chasm Z were the fastest on the field, turning in a clear second round in a time of 32.341 seconds. Olivia Epple of Palmetto, Georgia and Livhaven Stables’ Corini earned a second place ribbon with their clear second round in a time of 35.446 seconds.
The Arenus 1.30 m Jr/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic had only two horse and rider teams return for a second round opportunity and the first to go in the order, Jet and Sessums, soared fault free over the beautiful grass grand prix field in a time of 33.158 seconds, setting the new time to beat. Second place finisher Heather Zuber of Zionsville, Indiana and her own Phoenix also advanced to the second round. Although their round was fault free, their time of 35.946 seconds would see them finish in second place.
The $4,777 Jumper Classic, always a favorite at the Gulf Coast Winter Classics, saw eighteen horse and rider teams go for the blue. Penny Brennan and her own Japan rode away with the win after turning in lightning fast double clear rounds in times of 72.675 seconds and 32.643 seconds. Lila Sessums and her own Jet earned the second place ribbon after their double clear rounds and second round time of 35.040.
Matt Cyphert and Lochinvar [Photo Credit: Alison Hartwell Photography]
Matt Cyphert of North Lake, Texas arrived at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Circuit Week II and kicked it off with a trifecta win in Friday’s $8,000 Horseflight Open Welcome and brought home the first, second and third place ribbons.
As the first to turn in double clear rounds on his own Lochinvar, with times of 70.036 seconds and 37.313 seconds, respectively, Cyphert set the new time to beat besting the 47 second round time allowed.
Only two other horse and rider teams advanced to the second round besides Cyphert and included last week’s $25,000 Domino’s Grand Prix winner Lincoln Case’s Canebrake, ridden by Whitney Boyce-Petrey of New Orleans, Louisiana, and Helen Gilbert’s Al Pacini, ridden by Shannon Hicks of Lake St. Louis, Missouri.
Canebrake and Boyce-Petrey followed Cyphert and Lochinvar with double clear rounds, but their second round time of 44.150 finished them in fourth place overall.
Cyphert followed Boyce-Petrey and Canebrake with Hannah Donald’s Hector with the next set of double clear rounds. Their second round time of 43.054 seconds rewarded them with a third place finish.
Hicks and Al Pacini were the next horse and rider team to turn in a clear first round and although their second round time was the fastest in 35.973 seconds, four jump faults had them finish in fifth place.
Cyphert and Suzanne Suttles’ Better Judgement sat in the last to go position. Going clean in their first round, the pair’s fault free second round time in 39.347 seconds would have them finish in second place overall.
Hicks returned for both sixth and seventh place ribbons in the irons of Helen Gilbert’s Emir D and C’Havinia after turning in four fault first rounds in times of 70.113 seconds and 70.181 seconds, respectively.
Penny Brennan of Buhl, Alabama and her own Sun Tzu earned an eighth place ribbon after turning in a four fault first round in a time of 71.089 seconds.
Matt Cyphert of Northlake, Texas and his own Lochinvar won today’s $35,000 CWD Grand Prix, besting a field of sixteen horse and rider teams on the world renowned grass grand prix field at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic.
Only four advanced to the jump off round. “Clearly the course was pretty appropriate with sixteen starters and four clear. It was a nice track and he [Rheinheimer] used the whole field, which was fun for us and for the spectators,” commented Cyphert.
“The height was pleasant, but there were a lot of technical questions on the field. While there were a lot rails around the course, the meat of it was the triple combination. The entire combination had to be quiet and that was the hardest part of the course,” he said. “It rode rather tight and you needed to have a careful horse and my horse is very careful,” he said.
Chanel Du Calvaire, owned and ridden by Francois Lamontagne of Saint- Eustache, Quebec, Canada, was the second to go in the class and the first to turn in a clear first round in a time of 81.817 seconds, well within the time allowed of 88 seconds. Six trips later, Cyphert and Lochinvar insured there would be a jump off when they turned in a clear first round in a time of 76.327 seconds.
Fellow Texan, Jordan Gilchrist of Flower Mound, Texas, and her own Happy Boy Van De Doornakkers joined in the jump off after posting a clear first round in a time of 84.826 seconds. Shannon Hicks of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, in the irons of Helen Gilbert’s Carit DMZ, were the last to go and turned in a clear round in a time of 81.665 seconds and joined the trio for the jump off.
Course Designer Allen Rheinheimer set the jump off course with a time allowed of 45 seconds. Lamontagne and Chanel Du Calvaire were the first to go and pulled a rail at the combination, finishing with four faults in a time of 37.127 seconds.
“Francois went in and left a stride out. My eyes got big watching him thinking if he stayed clear, we were all going to have to go all out. When he dropped a rail in the combination, I decided I would just ride it quick enough and careful,” said Cyphert.
Cyphert did just that, posting a clear jump off round in a time of 39.432 seconds. Gilchrist and Happy Boy Van De Doornakkers were next, but with a rail in the combination, the four faults in a time of 41.547 seconds would see them sitting in third place.
Hicks and Carit DMZ had the enviable last to go position but finished with twelve jump faults in a time of 43.483 seconds, putting them in fourth place overall.
“It’s so tough when there is a smaller number in the jump off and if you’re going early you just have to decide how you’re going to play it. It’s a chess match for all of us,” commented Cyphert. “I decided to be quick enough and careful. It worked out for us and I’m really happy for both me and my horse,” he said.
Fifth place went to the fastest of the four faulters, Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama and Loretta Paterson’s Triompf. The pair turned in a four fault first round in a time of 77.655 seconds. Leann Kelly of Valatie, New York and Honorway Farm, LLC’s Leander were awarded sixth place after posting a four fault first round in a time of 78.047 seconds. Seventh went to Brooke Kemper of Culpeper, Virginia and her own Classified after posting a four fault first round in a time of 78.167 seconds. Hicks returned for eighth place, this time in the irons of Helen Gilbert’s Emir D after posting a four fault first round in a time of 79.504 seconds. Amanda Forte of Glenmoore, Pennsylvania earned ninth place with Cerulean Stables’ HHS Louis for their four fault first round in a time of 82.099 seconds. Hannah Donald of Highland Village, Texas and her own Commissario 6 finished in tenth place with a first round time of 83.870 seconds and four faults. Eleventh place went to Fleur De Lis Farms’ Ziezo, ridden by Scott Lenkart of Bartonville, Texas, and Hailey Henderson of Lafayette, Louisiana and her own Zine Dine wrapped up the class with twelfth place.
“I’ve had Lochinvar since he was five and have brought him up through the ranks. He’s twelve now and he won five grand prix last year. He got some good prizes before that, but last year was the first time he started winning. He has really settled in and matured,” commented Cyphert. “It’s nice to start off this year early with a win,” he added.
“I am proud to be a sponsored CWD rider, so it was really great to be able to win their Grand Prix today,” said Cyphert. “It is so much fun showing here in Gulfport,” he continued. “It is such a comfortable, fun environment and we’re all so supportive of each other,” he added.
“Bob and his staff do so much for all of us here and his shows are just run beautifully,” said Cyphert. “This is the best horse show in the country, and that’s God’s honest truth,” Cyphert said. “The crowd here was great today,” he continued, “I think a lot of people know my horse. They have seen him grow up and I had people come here last week who sought me out to see him. He is such a special horse that it makes me really happy to see people get excited for him and cheer him on,” he added.
Micro-Chip Your Horse for $28 at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic
Micro-chipping is now a requirement! The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) now requires horses to be micro-chipped by December 1, 2017 in order to be eligible for Horse of the Year awards. Pricing for this can range into the hundreds of dollars at the other winter circuits. Not at the Gulf Coast Winter Classic! For only $28, all those showing in Gulfport can have their horse micro-chipped by Dr. Patrick Cleveland, the Official Veterinarian of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic. Dr. Cleveland is available to discuss any questions you have about micro-chipping and Mary Babick, United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Hunter Vice President, is also available for questions about the rule change.
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.
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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
Lenkart and Emilios Win the $7,770 Hester Equestrian Jumper Classic
The $10,000 Horseflight Open Welcome Week II of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic saw twenty-six horse and rider teams compete over a course designed by Olympic Medalist and Pan American Course Designer Michel Vaillancort of Tryon, North Carolina. The course was set on the world class grass grand prix field at the Harrison County Fairgrounds which is considered to be the one of the best in North America.
While a majority of the class went clean in their first rounds, the real challenge came with the abbreviated second round when only five of the twenty six would finish double clean.
The first round time allowed was set at 82 seconds. The first to go and the first to post a double clean effort was Francois LaMontagne of Saint Eustache, Quebec, Canada in the irons of his own Dalton. The pair finished a fault-free first round in a time of 81.376 seconds and finished their second round effort in a time of 40.956 seconds, well within the 47 seconds time allowed and set the new time to beat.
Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama, who earlier in the day took the top three placings in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, transitioned into the jumper arena in the irons of Loretta Patterson’s Skymiles. The pair posted double clean rounds in times of 79.666 and 40.096 seconds, respectively, which would take the lead from Dalton and LaMontagne and set the new time to beat.
Specialized, owned by Missy Nolan and ridden by Tim Maddrix of Birmingham, Alabama, also posted double clean rounds in times of 78.029 and 38.751 seconds and took the lead from Skymiles and Shepherd.
Penny Brennan of Buhl, Alabama and Meco Equestrian, LLC’s Cord II followed Maddrix with double clear rounds in times of 76.322 and 38.162 seconds and set the new time to beat.
Helen Gilbert’s Emir D, ridden by Shannon Hicks of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, posted double clean rounds and looked to challenge Brennan and Cord II’s time, but the pair finished their second round in a time of 43.174 seconds which would see them finish in sixth place overall.
Matt Cyphert of Northlake, Texas and his own Lochinvar followed with the next double clean round in times of 76.139 and 36.999 seconds which would take the lead and set the new time to beat. But Tim Maddrix had yet to go so the win was not one for the books quite yet.
Maddrix returned in the enviable last to go position in the irons of Baily Martin’s Contador De Bornival Z, but eight jump faults and one time fault would keep the pair out of the ribbons and secure the win for Cyphert and Lochinvar.
Brennan and Cord II took second place, Maddrix and Specialized were awarded third, Skymiles and Shepherd received fourth, LaMontagne and Dalton were fifth, and sixth place went to Emir D and Hicks. Chanel du Calvaire and LaMontagne finished in seventh place as the fastest of the four-faulters in a time of 38.947 seconds, while eighth place was awarded to Bull Run’s T-Mac, owned and ridden by Konstanze Wachholtz, who posted a four fault second round in a time of 41.627 seconds. Ninth place went to Hester and Lorstakov; tenth was awarded to Hannah Donald of Highland Village, Texas and her own Commissario 6. Wender and Hester took eleventh place, while Hicks wrapped it up with twelfth place in the irons of Helen Gilbert’s Caritz Donz.
Emilios Wins the $7,770 Hester Equestrian LLC Jumper Classic
The $7,770 Hester Equestrian Jumper Classic was held Saturday and welcomed twenty-one horse and rider teams to a course designed by Michel Vaillancort. The class is geared toward horses not competing in the grand prix.
Scott Lenkart and Emilios
One third of the class had the opportunity to advance to the second round, but only two went double clean. Lauren Hester and Hester Equestrian’s Daister L posted double clear round in times of 77.941 and 40.128 seconds, respectively. The pair looked to win the Jumper Classic until last to go Scott Lenkart of Argyle, Texas and La Primera Hacienda’s Emilios posted double clear rounds in times of 73.844 and 38.209 seconds, respectively, taking the lead and putting Hester and Daister L in second place overall.
The fastest of the four faulters, Baritone 40, owned and ridden by Isabelle Potts of Aledo, Texas, posted a fault free first round in a time of 81.761 seconds and a four fault second round in time of 42.393 seconds. Fourth place was awarded to Loretta Patterson’s Silverstone, ridden by Holly Shepherd, who finished their clean first round in a time of 82.082 seconds and their four fault second round in a time of 49.319 seconds.
Thomas Welsh of New York, New York, in the irons of his own Prosper, placed fifth overall; sixth was awarded to Abby Maxwell of Cedar Rapids, Iowa in the irons of her own Kidogo. Lenkart returned for seventh place, this time aboard Fleur De Lis Farm’s Valina Du Cuirassier, and Welsh returned for the eighth place ribbon, this time in the irons of his own Newtown Jumping Jack. Jason Berry of Verona, Virginia and Willoughby Stables’ Varios placed ninth overall, and Francois LaMontagne was awarded tenth place in the irons of his own Vigo Massuere. Cerulean Stables’ Downton Abbey, ridden by Amanda Forte of Glenmoore, Pennsylvania, placed eleventh overall, and Shepherd, riding Dejan Krunic’s Belle Clara DKS, wrapped up the class in twelfth place.
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.
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See you at the ring,
Bob Bell
The Classic Company, Ltd. www.ClassicCompany.com
Phone/FAX: (843) 768-5503
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Parker, CO – June 19, 2013 – Summer in the Rockies III kicked off Wednesday with exciting show jumping action in the Kathy and Brad Coors Family Grand Prix Arena. Highlights of the day included the 1.30m and 1.40m Open Jumpers and the Young Jumper Divisions.
McLain Ward has called Alan Wade his favorite course designer in the whole world. And here at the Colorado Horse Park’s Summer in the Rockies III, the jumper competitors got their first taste of the Irish course designer’s work.
In the 1.40m Open Jumper class, Bjorn Ikast and his own enormous splashy chestnut Dutch Warmblood mare, Iz’s Viva La Vida, were the first to go and the first to lay down a clean round. The pair proceeded to a faultless jump-off round with a time of 32.267.
Next, Matt Cyphert from Northlake, TX, piloted Lochivar skillfully and cleanly around Alan Wade’s course. In their jump-off round, Lochivar and Cyphert edged out Ikast, completing the short course with a time of 31.991 without a fault to claim the top spot.
Guy McElvain and his own Coco Colette were third to deliver double clear rounds with a short track time of 34.862, placing them third. Tony Font and Colotta also had a clear first round but retired during the jump-off. Cyphert maintained his position to win the class.
“He’s 9 years old this year; we’ve had him since he was 5,” said Cyphert of Lochivar. “We brought him up through the ranks. He had never really jumped with anybody when we bought him. He has a lot of talent and we’ve taken our time. We started doing the grand prixes with him last year. He was better and better each week. I ended up getting a nice prize in the last one here in June.”
“Then we had to take a chip out of his ankle in September, so he’s had a significant amount of time off,” he said. “We started him back up in March and showed him a little bit in April and May and hoped to get him back into the grand prixes. I think today is a great start.”
“It is really neat to ride on courses built by people of his caliber,” Cyphert said of Alan Wade’s course. “I have actually been coming here for 20 plus years, since the very first one. We haven’t missed a year. We are thrilled about the footing. It has enabled us to come for more weeks than we’ve ever come before and coming from Texas and getting out of the heat; we love being here and hope to be here all summer over the next few years.”
Bjorn Ikast and Iz’s Viva La Vida
“She’s a little bit feisty; she’s a real chestnut lady,” said Ikast of Iz’s Viva La Vida. “She’s a great horse, just a different ride. I have a philosophy that you have to ride each horse the way they like to be ridden. That’s the way she likes to be – why not follow her? She can really jump.”
“It was a great course today,” continued Ikast. “We have a new course builder. It’s nice to see someone from Europe – I’m from Europe also. I feel at home here! He built a nice attractive course for the first day. It gave us the most important thing in show jumping: confidence. I think he will build them up nicely for Saturday. I think we will see a very good grand prix on Saturday night.”
Seven entries had clear first rounds in the 1.30m Open Jumpers. The first was Tony Font and Sheishof’s Gloria, owned by Ashton Galo Paley. The pair finished the short course with a time of 36.711, setting the time to beat. Next, Amanda McConnell and James McConnell’s Leon D’Or had four faults in the jump-off round. Courtney Frederick and Equestrian Investments LLC’s Soulshine were next to try their skills around the short track, stopping the clock at 36.961, which placed them momentarily in second place.
Next to go were Armando Hassey and Lambert Louis, owned by Cora Leeuwemburg, who performed brilliantly and took over the lead with their clear round of 36.323. Then Chenoa McElvain and Wild Thing 2, owned by Guy McElvain, produced a double clear round with a jump-off timed at 36.600, fast enough to take over second place. Guy McElvain and Carino G, owned by Rancho Corazon LLC, followed but had a rail in the second round.
Last to go, Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Believer had a blazing fast and fault-free jump-off with an incredible time of 33.127, earning them the win.
Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Believer
“He’s actually Chelsea (Babcock)’s horse and I get the privilege of riding for her sometimes,” said VanderVeen about Believer. “We found him in Europe. He was an approved stallion and he has a lot of 1.50m experience. It’s her move-up horse. When she’s ready she will step into the grand prix. She did her first grand prix on him a few weeks ago.”
“When he goes in that ring he knows it’s show time,” VanderVeen said. “To ride him, he’s lazy, but you get him in that ring and he is fired up. He knows right when that buzzer goes off. Today, he felt great. He’s been jumping really carefully off this footing, even more so than normal, so we could go fast in the jump-off.”
“I quite liked the course,” continued VanderVeen. “It rode really well. The jump-off was fun – you were able to go fast and use turns at the same time. It wasn’t just an all-out gallop or a turn. It was a good mix.”
“We got him for one of my good clients,” said Hassey about Lambert Lewis, who came in second. “He is a great horse. I haven’t ridden him much and we decided to do him in the 1.30m.”
“This is my home town, so I love it here,” he added. “We have great people and a great horse show with intense competition and good footing.”
In the Young Jumpers 6-Year-Old, Tony Font and the beautiful grey Holsteiner, Von Casius, owned by Deana Blackburn, ended up on top.
“He’s coming into his own,” said Font about Von Casius. “Because he’s big and long, he’s kind of hard to get him into shape and get him to do the right things. He’s brave but he’s immature for being 6 years old. He didn’t do so many shows last year. I think he’s going to be a nice horse in another year or so. Jumping is never an issue for him. He can jump big jumps but you have to let them mature at their own rate.”
“I just hope the horses learn and progress,” he continued. “We’re here for four shows. I’d like to come out with a bang on the end, so I don’t want to try to dry up the well too quick.”
“I thought he courses were really fair,” he said. “What you walked is what you got. I thought for the first day, without him knowing the field of horses and riders, he (Alan Wade) did a good job. They rode nice, they were friendly enough and the questions were still hard enough.”
Summer in the Rockies III continues on Thursday, June 20, and runs through June 23. Highlights include a $15,000 Welcome Stake, a $30,000 Grand Prix, a $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, a $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby and a full array of hunter/jumper 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.
Carrie Wirth for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
