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| Highlights |
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A Stellar Two Weeks at Showpark
August 22nd, 2009 - $40,000 Summer Grand Prix – Final Outdoor
The weekend of August 22nd, 2009 will be remembered for many years to come in the equestrian world. On Saturday we watched 56 horses start and fourteen jump-off in the last outdoor grand prix of the 2009 season. Plus we simultaneously witnessed the final rounds of the inaugural ASG Software Solutions/USHJA Hunter Derby Finals live from the Kentucky Horse Park online at equestrianlife.com. On Sunday not only did the CPHA Foundation Medal Finals come to an exciting close but the EquSport and Coapexpan Horse Shows along with a handful of fantastic sponsors hosted a fabulous cocktail party that evening. More on all the above and other outstanding stories below, so read on.
Designing a course for a large field requires the track be challenging enough to narrow the jump-off to a handful of horses and riders. Among the 56 entries were competitors at the International level, horses returning from a summer in Europe with this as their first comeback to the show ring as well as riders on young horses and new mounts. Quite a mix for course designer Olaf Petersen Jr. to contend with and successfully so with exactly one quarter of the first round attempts making it to the jump-off.
Sixteen-year-old Paris Sellon on her Orlando LA went fourth and were the first clean. Familiar with Olaf Jr.’s courses after competing at the 2009 NAYJRC in late July, she set the pace with one rail in the jump-off in a time of 49.25. Up against some top West Coast and Mexican riders, she held her lead for several rounds when rails dropped as riders attempted to beat the clock. Sixth to ride in the second round was another young rider who has made her mark several times in the grand prix arena, Laura Teodori on her fabulous Kasoar D’Uxelles. She also had four faults but in 47.70 to take over the lead for a brief moment.
Next in Mexican rider Eduardo Menezes on his Renoir Mercedes Benz were the first double clean, setting the time to beat at 45.38. Another top contender, Susie Hutchison and El Dorado 29’s Cantano, nipped at Menezes heels, double clean in 47.70, which would end up third best. The amazing (and young) Ashlee Bond was clean on all three of her Little Valley Farm entries, her first time back in on Chivas Z garnered her lowest prize, seventh with a rail in 49.10. Her next attempt on GZS Cassira Z ended up fastest of the four-faulters in 45.37 for fourth overall. Menezes returned on his Let’s Go Mercedes Benz, racing around in 46.80 with four for fifth place. And Ashlee Bond finished the class on her outstanding Cadett 7. The pair blazed around in their now internationally known style and stopped the clock clean in 44.73 for the win.
August 29th, 2009 - The $50,000 Grand Prix of Showpark – Indoor World Cup Qualifier
 Fitting that the end of our summer season and the start of the new Indoor season would include a retirement ceremony for a horse known worldwide – Wild Turkey Farm’s Summer. Discovered, trained and taken to the highest levels by Mandy Porter, this gorgeous gray mare cleared many World Cup level courses and competed in the FEI World Cup Finals. She also sailed effortlessly around many outdoor venues, including wins at Spruce Meadows and the Del Mar National. When trying the mare as a mount for Barb Ellison, both Mandy and owner Barb saw international potential. Barb purchased Summer and allowed Mandy to bring out the best in the horse. After a very successful five-year reign in the show arena, Mandy will hand the reins back to Barb, who will breed the mare to some of her fabulous Wild Turkey Farm stallions in Summer's second career as a broodmare. Can’t wait to see those babies jump!
Of forty starters in the first World Cup qualifier of the West Coast season, six horses piloted by four riders jumped off. Last to go, Tiwistar and Francie Steinwedell Carvin were two time faults away from making it seven clean. Four faulters rounded out the top eleven and similarly to seventh, twelfth went to a team with one rail and one time fault.
“I built a legitimate course,” explained course designer Leopoldo Palacios. “What the West Coast has done having all the qualifiers indoors is the best for the sport, you can see the improvement in the riders.”
A beautiful course that started with the black and white EquiFit, inc. plank oxer, to a bending six, around a tight right turn to a liverpool vertical, blind corner to the red planks, left turn to a diagonal line down the middle of the arena with a triple combination - one stride to a two stride to three forward strides to the brick wall, another bending line that ended with a square wide oxer, to a triple bar in a tight five to a vertical – oxer combination and finishing in a bend over an airy gate. Suffice to say the most of the jumps came down at one point or another, but the middle line and the tight five were the biggest culprits.
First to go clean was none other than rock star duo Ashlee Bond and Cadett 7, seventh in the ring. She did it again on Little Valley Farm’s GZS Cassira Z later in the class. Ashlee’s coach, Richard Spooner followed suit, clean on Cristallo (Show Jumping Syndications Intl, owner) and on his wife Kaylen’s horse Pako. The other two to join the jump off included Santiago Rickard on his own Jet Star and Keri Potter on her Rockford I.
Of course Bond set a blazing pace in the jump off, clean in 33.95. No other rider could catch that time. Two more went clean – Spooner and Pako in 34.30 for second place and Potter with Rockford I in 36.08. Cristallo with one rail in 34.20 ended up fourth. Cassira fifth with a rail in 38.38 and rounding out the top six was Jet Star and Rickard with four in 41.17.
Young Horses
The Showpark All Seasons Classic also crowns a good number of young horses with their first big victories. On Wednesday and Thursday, the Wheeler family sponsored the Sallie B. Wheeler/USEF Hunter Breeding Championships for yearlings, two-year-olds and three-year-olds in hand, while two-year-old, three-year-old and four-year-old hunters competed in the International Hunter Futurity classes.
The 2009 Wild Turkey Farm Young Jumper Championships Western League Finals offers competition for three age divisions, five-year-olds, six-year-olds and seven/eight-year-olds over three days. Exhibitors from northern and southern California, Mexico, Colorado and Arizona gathered to show their young prospects. The Simpsons, Nicki and Will, dominated the five year old division riding Holly Go Lightly (Ilan Ferder, owner) and Carpendale (Kimberly Thomas, owner) respectively. Mexican riders garnered the top spots in both the six-year-old and seven/eight-year-old divisions - John Perez won with his six year old Winalaris La Cantera and was second on Carla (Eduardo Leon, owner). He also battled it out with Mandy Porter for the win in the seven/eight-year-olds, with the blue going to Arezzo (Rolling Oaks West LLC, owner) and a close second to LaMarque (Wild Turkey Farm, owner) in an exciting six horse jump off.
Are these horses potential USHJA Hunter Derby winners? Grand Prix contenders? International horses? Time will tell... We wish all the best to these young horses in their future careers.
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| Late Breaking News |
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September 5th & 6th: Watch the USHJA EAP Level II Sessions 
The USHJA applauds all riders who participated in the Level I Training Sessions and congratulates the select group of riders who have been invited to ride in the Regional Level II Training Sessions. Auditors are welcome to attend each Level II session. See details below.
The Emerging Athletes Program will provide young riders in our sport with the opportunity to learn from our country’s top professional riders and trainers. The training sessions will evaluate the rider’s horsemanship, knowledge and riding ability.
Following each Level I Training Session, the clinician will evaluate the riders and create a ranking list to determine which riders will be invited to participate in the Regional Level II Training Session.
After the Regional Level II Training Session, a select group of riders will be invited to participate in the National Training Session. The National Training Session will include extensive instruction with riding sessions, nutritionists, veterinarians, blacksmiths and sport psychologists. The National Training Session will culminate in a Nations Cup type competition for the riders. The top two individuals selected from the National Training Session will be the recipients of a grant for one month of advanced training.
Level II Sessions (by date):
Region 1 (Zones 1 & 2) August 29-30, 2009 Complete
USET Training Facility, Gladstone, NJ
• Selected Riders - click here
• Auditor Information: Auditors are welcome to participate; fee $25/day. To reserve an auditors ticket contact Kathy White via email or 859.825.6008.
Region 5 (Zones 9 & 10) September 5-6, 2009 *New Date*
Blenheim EquiSports, San Juan Capistrano, CA
• Selected Riders - click here
• Clinician: Bernie Traurig
• Auditor Information: Auditors are welcome to participate; fee $25/day. No pre-registration for auditors required. All auditors are to check in at the USHJA registration table on-site. Contact Stephanie Wheeler via email or 949.443.1841.
Region 3 (Zones 5 & 6) September 5-6, 2009
Canterbury Farm, Hampshire, IL
• Selected Riders - click here
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Auditor Information: Auditors are welcome to participate; fee $50/day. No pre-registration for auditors required; contact Diane Carney or 847.922.6167.
Region 4 (Zones 7 & 8) September 26-27, 2009
McCutcheon Stables, Aubrey, TX
• Selected Riders - click here
• Auditors are welcome to participate; fee $25/day. To reserve an auditors ticket contact Mandy McCutcheon via email or 940.381.0880.
Region 2 (Zones 3 & 4) November 21-22, 2009
Wrenwood Farm, Naples, FL
• Selected Riders - click here
For questions about the USHJA Emerging Athlete Program contact Melanie Fransen, USHJA Director of Programs and Education, via email or call 859-225-6960.
WCAR 2009/2010 Project: Equestrian Locks for Love
In association with the ASPCA and Locks of Love, West Coast Active Riders has set a goal of donating 100 pony tails by May of 2010 at the Del Mar National Horse Show. Contact Leslie Steele or Kathy Hobstetter for more information on how you can participate.
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| EquestriSol News |
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 We’re pleased to announce the launch of a redesigned site for Joie Gatlin - Morley Abey Show Jumping, Inc. at www.joiegatlin.com. And speaking of Morley, in his interview in our last newsletter, we mistakenly referred to Tara Smith (mother) when we intended to mention Alex Smith (daughter). Our apologies!
Congratulations again to John French and Rumba for an amazing performance at the ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals this past weekend. Click here for the Karazissis journal from Kentucky.
We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know EquiFit, inc.’s Alexandra Cherubini - read this issue's Industry Innovators. And we couldn’t fit all the details from the Ashlee Bond interview in our print newsletter - read the entire interview here.
If you're on Facebook, become an EquestriSol fan here.
And our thoughts are with everyone who is affected by the wildfires - we wish them, their animals and homes continued safety.
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| Industry Innovators |
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BY ERNA L. ADELSON & JACKIE MCFARLAND
Alexandra Cherubini seems to have the Midas touch, both in her hands and her heart. The founder of ShouldersBack, a posture-enhancing garment designed by orthopedic specialists and EquiFit, inc. which integrates super absorbent t-foam into riding equipment, is a rare Renaissance woman. She has created product lines that transcend her primary equestrian market to include influence on fashion and sports apparel; she owns an art gallery with her husband and still finds time to be a competitive rider. Even while breaking into other industries, Cherubini remains true to her original equestrian passion and inspiration, and has both advanced and challenged the industry without losing sight of the traditions that shape it.
The concepts for ShouldersBack and the EquiFit, inc. products resulted from a combination of Cherubini’s experience and her passion for the equestrian sport. Her first product, ShouldersBack, took on a life of its own, garnering the young entrepreneur a museum exhibit, several glossy features and a hands-on lesson in product marketing. According to Cherubini, “ShouldersBack is a wild ride! I was filling orders myself in Brooklyn when I got a call from the Met in New York.” The legendary museum included a ShouldersBack device in the 2001 exhibit “Extreme Beauty.” After that, it appeared in W Magazine, and reportedly gained some very high profile clientele. Cherubini took success by the reins. “I began to see different avenues for the product, from fashion and beauty to both chiropractic and speech therapy,” she says. It seems that opening the shoulders also releases the neck and the chest, beneficial for posture, pain relief and speech.
Cherubini cites several contributing factors to her development of t-foam riding accessories, the staple of EquiFit, inc. “My family is in the medical industry so I grew up surrounded by t-foam, orthotics and heel lifts,” she explains. “And I’ve been drawn to horse boots, maybe due to my love for shoes.” She realized that t-foam was a perfect application for absorbing the impact that horses endure. The idea that she could access her assorted expertise to help horses was enough inspiration for Cherubini to start another business.
Cherubini also draws from her diverse business background and degree in Cultural Anthropology to craft unique and creative marketing campaigns around her designs, an essential for product success. The Bates graduate reveals that she has cultivated a brand that not only fills a market niche, it also appeals to the sociology of each consumer with a subtle yet effective presence through event sponsorship, a team of rider representatives and their newest innovation “equine interest stories.”
“I’ve always loved the branding and marketing aspect of product development,” she explains. “I am a firm believer in strategic marketing and PR. Our products are very different from others on the market and people need to know how and why they are different and how they help.” EquiFit, inc.’s most recent promotional approach is e-news brief that features “EquiFacts,” true stories about sponsored riders and their mounts
in a fun and engaging format. Cherubini is personally involved in each new installment. “Equine interest stories are fun to read and I love that we are able to make these stories accessible,” she says. “I think it helps keep culture and history of the industry in context while setting the stage for advancement.”
Such advancements include the semi-controversial Tretorn riding boots. “It’s funny with these boots, people either love them or don’t, there is no middle ground,” Cherubini comments. And two new products that incorporate mineral oil and gel—a glide-on substance that protects riders’ legs and adhesive gel pads that guard horses against equipment rubs. EquiFit, inc. is also updating their boot liner for more durability and developing a liner exchange program so just liners, and not the entire boot, can be replaced after wear and tear.
Cherubini has recently returned to the show ring and is thrilled. “I get to work in an arena that I love, and I guess I’m really lucky that way. It was such a blast to show again,” she beamed. A true industry mogul, Cherubini pays it forward by working with several relevant charities: the Equestrian Aid Foundation, which assists anyone in the equestrian world suffering from life-threatening illness, catastrophic accidents or injuries by providing direct financial support for their medical expenses or basic needs, and City to Saddle, a Boston-based charity that gives inner city kids an opportunity to ride.
Combine knowledge with passion, mix in strong commitment, inspiration and some awesome energy and your end result is an industry innovator with a Midas Touch, Alexandra Cherubini.
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| Showcasing Young Talent |
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BY JACKIE MCFARLAND
Ashlee Bond: Riding the Wave
I recently had a chance to interview the invincible Ashlee Bond. Last week in the $40,000 Summer Classic Grand Prix she was first, fourth and seventh on her three entries in a class of 56 horses. She has taken the show jumping world by storm and continues to ride that winning wave.
Ashlee has had an uncanny raw talent since she was a little girl on ponies, winning from the moment she stepped into the show arena. She didn’t know nor understand her ability – when her father, Steve, asked her if she realized what she had done when she was champion at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show at age 11, she commented, “No, not really, but I sure had fun.”
Like many young girls, Ashlee has Olympic dreams. Also a southern California girl originally, the young Meredith Michaels Beerbaum would state that she was going to be the number one rider in the world. These aspirations mixed with years of work, an intense competitive edge and the right horse equal to gold medals, World Cup victories, European Championships and more. This is not luck. The lucky part is that this phenomenal horse, Cadett 7, and rider have found each other. Like Meredith and Shutterfly, these two flow together so flawlessly it’s poetry in motion.
EqSol: Where to start... Does it feel like a dream or a path?
AB: It feels like a little bit like both – it’s always been a dream to get to the top, it also feels like it’s meant to be. I think it’s cool to have proven that this is where I belong, that I am on the right track.
EqSol: Remember when we interviewed you just two years back when you were one-two here at Blenheim on Southern Girl & Tommy Gun...
AB: That was when I had just come back from taking some time off – getting my feet wet again. It was a good start. The win helped build my confidence and boosted the rest of my career. I knew I still had a lot of work to do and I
needed a legitimate 1.60m horse.
EqSol: Those two mounts were homebred. Any plans to continue with the breeding program?
AB: Yes! It’s a great partnership between my dad and me when we work with the babies. He breaks them and I train them over fences. We have a seven-year-old Super Girl [Best of Luck x Surfer Girl] that we bred. She did the futures at HITS and was fourth in 1.35m this week. She’ll go to Spruce Masters with us. I think she has a big future. I have high hopes for her.
We also have two four-year-olds, Good Girl [Good Times x Super Girl] and Moondoggie [Lord Continuet x Southern Girl] and two Indoctro babeis now three-year-olds, Isabella and Gidget. They all show great natural talent and will come along end of this year, beginning of next.
EqSol: Tell us about buying Cadett - when you first tried him did he feel like ‘the one’?
AB: Ilan Ferder found him in Europe for Aurora Griffin from top Swedish rider Lotta Schultz. The moment we saw Cadett in the Meredith Michaels Beerbaum clinic in Thermal almost two years ago my dad and I both saw something in him. We told Ilan to please let us know if he was ever for sale. Then it all just magically worked out. Aurora only had him for seven months when we tried him in June of 2008 – right before we were leaving for Spruce – I rode him once and it was a perfect fit. I competed on him the last two weeks and on the final day of the second week I won the $75,000 Sunlife Financial Grand Prix.
We realized that he needed conditioning so once we were home we put him on the treadmill every day. He also had to learn to trust me – he’s a careful horse. You never know if a horse will step up, but every time we went in the ring our partnership kept growing and growing – beginning in Thermal this year and in Europe it exploded. I couldn’t have imagined we were going to achieve anything close to what we accomplished. It was amazing.
EqSol: Starting with your indoor season ending in Vegas at the World Cup Finals – give us your thoughts on your rides, the courses etc.
AB: At the World Cup I made an error in each round that caused me a rail. I was close each day – but not as good as I would have liked. Thermal prepared us well. But it was huge. Anthony D’Ambrosio was spectacular and did an amazing job. It was an eye opener to what was to come in Europe.
EqSol: Your thoughts when you walk those big European courses...
AB: At first in Europe I was the alternate for the team, so I had to prove myself. When I walked the 1.50m speed class, the qualifier for the Grand Prix, I knew I had a shot. I thought ‘this is my opportunity to show them I belong here.’ And I did it! I was the only American to place that day (7th). And then George decided to put me on the team. We walked the Nations Cup and I was pretty calm. I still felt like I needed to put the pressure on and prove myself. I was clean in the Nations Cup, both rounds. Actually I was clean in each Nations Cup – La Baule, Rome and St. Gallen. My dad said the FEI claimed that had never been done – fault free six consecutive times. It’s been quite a summer!
I have an amazing support team. I am very close to my family. My parents are incredibly supportive through thick and thin. My dad is an integral part to our program. Richard (Spooner) and I work great together – he knows my horse and me. Plus I know myself, and I am confident in us as a team. I don’t over-analyze the courses – I don’t change my ride because of where I am and what level we are competing at. So each course I stay true to who I am and my instincts.
EqSol: And those Super League shows you attended in Europe?
AB: We jumped on a lot of beautiful big grass fields. These are the top shows with the top players – everything is done to perfection. The athletes are treated like stars. Simply wonderful shows from the atmosphere – the vibe – the crowds – signing autographs –thousands of people screaming your name.
All of Europe was amazing. Rotterdam was so beautiful - we were in a forest and Aachen – what can I say? It was Aachen, first class all the way.
EqSol: The most valuable lessons you’ve learned in the last two years?
AB: To not take anything for granted. To appreciate where you are – what goes up can come down, so enjoy every moment and learn from every mistake. Everyone knows in this sport – you can be up and down – even in the same class.
The best lessons were when I was down and out, not doing well and had to pick myself up – you learn who you are, your character that you can pull yourself together and come through. Then you appreciate the ups so much more. The same person doesn’t always win. You aim to be consistent and on any given day you never know what’s going to happen. You try to make it your day, your moment – give it your best shot.
EqSol: Fall-winter competition plans?
AB: We are bringing some of our young horses and all the Grand Prix horses to Showpark and then we head to Spruce for the Masters, looks like Florida for the
WEG trials – hopefully that will put me on
the European tour again, the WEG and
so on until the Olympics – end goal is the 2012 Olympics.
EqSol: Do you feel like this is destiny?
AB: I love to sing – but it was NOT FUN to sing in front of a crowd, it was totally nerve wracking. I love to compete and when I go into the ring I’m not nervous. Actually I’m nervous and anxious the day before. When I walk in that class it’s time for me to be with my horse – the rest of the world falls away and I get strangely calm. My brother Dylan is big into surfing - he talks about being at one with the wave, the rest of the world doesn’t matter. That’s how I am in the ring. Riding the wave.
Thank you, Ashlee! We wish you continued success.
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| The Derby Journals |
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Jenny & Kosti Karazissis go to Kentucky
Tuesday, August 18th: Kosti
Tuesday morning found us with sand paper eyes and rumpled clothes. Jenny and I were standing under threatening skies and the odor of steaming tarmac in front of the baggage claim at the Cincinnati Airport. We were waiting for Peter and Tonia Looker, the owners of Forbes and Aragon, the horses that Jenny was to ride in the first ever International Hunter Derby Finals held at the ever-expanding Kentucky Horse Park. Peter and Tonia arrived in a large rental car with a cavernous trunk that barely accommodated Jenny’s three forty-five pound bags and my carry on. The one-hour ride to the inside of yet another hotel room was uneventful. A short nap and we were back in the rental car on the way to the Horse Park.
As we left the drab scenery made up of hotels and Waffle Houses that seemed to out number the McDonalds in the multiple strip malls, things began to change dramatically. Suddenly we were seeing miles of perfectly maintained fence lines surrounding beautiful pastures covered with actual Kentucky bluegrass (I don’t care what anybody says, it’s green). Perfectly stacked limestone walls defined the entrances to one stunning farm after another. The Kentucky Horse Park is spectacular. From the logo and vistas to the footing, management, arenas, stadium and stabling. We arrived to find our horses meticulously cared for by Rick Fancher and his Milesaway Farm’s charming and helpful staff. We rode and schooled our horses. Later that afternoon we enjoyed a private tour of the USEF Headquarters by AHSA past-President Alan Balch who happens to be a close friend of the Looker’s. Peter was Alan’s right hand man during the highly successful 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The USEF staff was very gracious and cooperative. It was nice to put a face and location to the people we talk to every now and then.
Wednesday, August 19th: Jenny
On Wednesday I showed my horses in the medium schooling jumpers in preparation for the Derby. Both of them were very good. Aragon felt a little fresh so I galloped him around the cross country course which was something I’ve never done before. Definitely beats longeing, Kentucky truly is horse heaven.
Thursday, August 20th: Jenny
Today I stepped it up a notch and did the high schooling jumpers. I was worried that my horses may be peaking too soon, as they had never jumped better. Kost felt it was due to the outstanding footing and I wholeheartedly agree. Keri Kampsen rode On Top in the Regular Working Hunters on Wednesday and was very competitive. She chose not to finish the division on Thursday. John French, who had been in Europe the week prior, arrived Wednesday and decided to wait to show his mount Rumba on Thursday in the medium schooling jumpers. We were allowed to hack our horses in the Johnson Arena where the Derby Finals would take place from 3:30 – 5:00p.m. This is the same arena where riders from around the world will compete in the 2010 World Equestrian Games. 
Friday was the big day – the first round of the finals. 60 horses qualified. To establish the order of go, they took the bottom 30 horses in the national rankings and randomly drew the first half of the class, followed by a random draw of the top 30 horses for the second half of the order. This ensured that someone like Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy, who won an award for the most money won during the qualifying season, would not have to go first. I drew 28th on Aragon and 50th on Forbes. Keri and John both went in the second half of the order. We were given the classic hunter course diagram that night.
Friday, August 21st: Jenny
We were allowed to walk the course prior to the start time of 8:00a.m. It was very inviting and the jumps were absolutely beautiful. I had a couple rubs with Aragon and ended up 27th just out of the top 25. Forbes, On Top, and Rumba all made it to the next round. John and Rumba won the first round. The top 25 start with a clean slate going into Round Two, so Friday evening they had a draw party to determine the order of go. The riders were asked to pick a silver cup that had a number engraved on the bottom, you then got to keep your cup along with various other gifts. I drew 13th which I consider to be a lucky number. Kerry drew 9th and John 14th. Each of the top 25 also received a check for $1,000.
Saturday, August 22nd: Jenny
Round Two was scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. During opening ceremonies the riders paraded around the ring while the announcer spoke briefly about our accomplishments. George Morris, who is responsible for bringing this fabulous derby excitement back to the hunter ring, spoke eloquently to the crowd and thanked the sponsors – title sponsor ASG Software Solutions along with Dietrich Equine Insurance, Walsh Harness and Saddlery, Charles Owen, Dover Saddlery, Essex Classics, The Clothes Horse, Personalized Products and Grand Prix – for making this dream possible. He was also one of the eight judges for the Finals.
This round was also a classic format but the four sets of judges could give up to 10 bonus points on top of their regular score for style and quality of movement. I had a rail down at one of the five option jumps. In hind sight I wish I had done the lower 3’6” option. I didn’t see Keri go but she said she had some difficulty at the squirrel tail jump. The second you exited the ring the media pulled you aside for an interview so I also missed John’s round but I could hear the crowd go crazy when it was over. His score was 400 including the bonus points!
Not making the top 12 was very disappointing mostly because the handy course looked like so much fun to ride. It had its challenges and caused trouble for some of the riders. Trying to get over my disappointment I sat in the stands to watch the exciting finish with my mom and niece who came all the way to Kentucky to support me. John had a very big lead going into the final round. Jennifer Alfano sitting in 2nd place put the pressure on after taking a very handy track and her horse Jersey Boy jumped brilliantly. Since I’ve competed against John week after week back home I was confident he could handle it. And sure enough he did just what he needed to do to insure the win, taking the title in the first ever USHJA Hunter Derby Finals.
Sunday, August 23rd: Jenny
After unwinding from all the excitement we were able to get four hours sleep before catching an early flight back to San Diego where our barn, Far West Farms, had been competing all week.
Even though I personally would like to have had a better end result, I am so grateful for the opportunity that Peter and Tonia Looker and their horses gave me. It was an honor to both witness and participate in an event of this caliber. I hope to return in years to come.
Thank you, Jenny and Kosti, for taking the time to journal your experience.
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| Extracurricular Activities |
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BY JACKIE MCFARLAND
iViva Mexico!
After exhibiting in southern California for the summer season, we wish the Mexican riders well on returning to their beautiful country. Certainly not going home empty-handed, this group of equestrians earned countless ribbons and quite a bit of prize money during their six-week stay, including wins and top ribbons in the last five grand prix events. Details are in this week's highlights and in previous newsletters.
Two of these top show jumpers, Olympians Enrique Gonzales and Antonio Chedraui, also wear show manager hats down in Mexico with their respective companies Equsport and Coapexpan. Wanting to find a way to promote their shows, Enrique and Equsport partner Federico Fernandez approached Monica Ward, well-known not only for her position with Allon Fine Equestrian Clothing and J2 Rolling Meadows but also for her social skills, about hosting a small gathering in Del Mar. Once Monica embraced the idea, it was full steam ahead.
Monica took this opportunity to organize a few great sponsors and convince them that it was time to thank their patrons. This get-together now rapidly expanding into a larger gathering with big party potential, would not only help promote the shows in Mexico that many international riders know and love, but also give a few select sponsors a chance to say thank you, with no strings attached. Just come and have fun. And in today’s economy that is a welcome invitation.
So fast-forward to last Sunday night. Allon Fine Equestrian Clothing along with CWD Sellier, EquiFit, inc, and ShowBiz Magazine came together brilliantly to honor the Equsport and Copexpan horse shows and hosted the best party of the season, if not the year. The West Coast equestrian set needed a great soiree and this group of sponsors endured a last minute venue change and still delivered. There were goody bags that included awesome sweatshirts produced by Allon, great information on the 2010 Mexican Circuit, a cool EquiFit, inc. catalog, CWD swag and a ShowBiz magazine. Plus tasty Middle Eastern morsels, a belly dancer who entertained while wearing a lit candelabra on her head, a fabulous DJ that rocked the house, especially after 10pm, and of course great company. What does that equal? A smashing success.
Thank you Equsport and Copexpan, Allon Fine Equestrian Clothing, CWD Sellier, EquiFit, inc. and ShowBiz magazine for generously hosting this memorable event.
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More about shows in Mexico... |
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Coapexpan
Contact: Mario Lecuona, Event Director
011 228 10425721 / email
Location: Coapexpan Club Hipico – Xalapa, Veracruz
More about Xalapa: click here
Hotel: Hotel Crowne Plaza Xalapa
October 1-4, 2009 – CSI***
Course Designer: Uliano Vezzani (ITA)
Total Prize Money : ~$144,000 USD,
includes 1.50m Grand Prix
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Equsport
Contact: Enrique Gonzales, Partner
011 521 555 107 5531 / email
Location: Balvanera Polo & Country Club in historic Corregidora, Queretaro
More about Balvanera: click here
Villas: 2 BR villas available for rent on the grounds + hotels in
the city
October 15-18 & 22-25 – CSI**
Course Designers: Santiago Varela & Leopoldo Palacios
Special Classes include CSI-W competition 1.50m Grand Prix, 1.45m Mini-Prix, Young Horse classes
March 2010 – 3 weeks of top notch competition
Course Designers: Olaf Petersen, Jr & Conrad Homfeld
Special Classes include CSI-W competition, Amateur Final Four, Speed Derby, Mini-Prix & Father-Son/Mother-Daughter classes
Contact us & we will help make all the arrangements! ~ Enrique
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| Laura Listens |
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BY LAURA WARE
The 2009 CPHA Medal Finals – My Story
The CPHA Junior and Amateur Medal Finals are eagerly anticipated each year – they are the first medal finals of the season, and draw equitation riders from all over California (there were sixty participants in the junior section). This year’s final, held in the indoor ring at Blenheim, featured flowing, symmetrical courses over beautiful jumps, and the Junior and Amateur winners were Cayla Richards and Jennifer Stillman. Cayla won aboard her own Asparagus – the pair also won the 2008 LAHSA Junior and CPHA Foundation 14 & under Finals – and Jennifer won on Nicole Haseltine’s Magic Act. Nicole won the same final last year with the same horse.
The first round was Friday afternoon for the juniors and Friday evening for the adults. When I initially saw the course diagram, I thought it was going to be quite simple. It started with a single fence on the centerline that could be approached from either lead, had two diagonal lines (a left and a right), and some long bending lines. Although there were a lot of great rounds from both the junior and adult riders, the course ended up being more difficult than I had originally thought. There were two skinny fences where multiple riders dropped rails, and the long gallop to the last fence was a little nerve wracking! Lucky for me, my horse jumped great, and better still I managed to not mess him up, so I ended up winning the first round of the senior final, with Jennifer Stillman, Shannon Davidson, and Holly Scapa close behind. As usual, lots of great riding junior riders had scores in the mid- to high-eighties. Haley Jacobi won the first round, and Jocelyn Neff and Kylee Arbuckle were second and third.
The second round on Saturday afternoon was very symmetrical, which I love (in lessons at home, I’m the symmetry police; I cannot stand doing more work on one direction than the other). There were several single fences, an ‘S’ line down the middle of the ring, and a four-to-one stride on the center line. The first jump of the line, made with shiny black and white striped rails, and overflowing with flowers, was a bit spooky, and came off a pretty short turn, so it caused a lot of refusals and poor distances in both the Junior and Amateur sections. In this round, there were also a lot of places where riders could make inside turns. I chose to not make any of the inside turns, and ended up with a score good enough to win the round. Jennifer Stillman, first to ride, made all the inside turns and earned third place for that round, and Kenly Flanigan, who took most of the inside turns, averaged 1/3 of a point behind me and took second. In the Junior section, almost all the riders took the inside turns after the first and second jump, but everybody went around an end fence to approach the spooky four-to-one stride line. After the second round, the top three Juniors were Navona Gallegos, Cayla Richards, and Kylee Arbuckle.
The top ten riders from each section were invited back for a third round on Saturday evening. It was a shorter course that contained many of the same lines from the second round, though most faced the opposite direction. In the Amateur section, beautiful rides by Jennifer Stillman and Amy Brubaker moved them up to first and second, respectively. A mistake in the middle of the course dropped me down to seventh… bummer. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t upset about it, but I keep trying to convince myself that now that I’ve gotten the losing-the-class-in-the-last-trip experience out of the way, it (hopefully) won’t happen again. In my previous medal final successes, I have been the one moving into the lead after those in front of me had errors on course – so I guess it’s was my turn to be leading and make the defeating mistake.
In the Junior section, medal finals superstar Cayla Richards put in another amazing trip to take the win, and Navona Gallegos and Grace Lukach rounded out the top three.
As usual, the CPHA Medal Finals were stressful but fun, and top ribbon winners received fabulous prizes. Cayla and Jennifer both received a CWD saddle, an Antares helmet, a cooler, and lots of other goodies. Congratulations again to Cayla Richards and Jennifer Stillman – both girls rode great throughout the competition, and truly deserved the win.
Thank you, Laura, for sharing your story!
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