Special to the Horsetrader
DEL MAR—From the USHJA National Hunter Derby to the Markel Insurance 1.45m Grand Prix in the indoor on Friday and Saturday evenings, and the hunters galloping in the sunshine on the Grand Prix field, the Showpark Summer Festival proved to be a superb summer event July 19-21.
The expansive grass field hosted a new challenge, presented by USHJA Zone 10, featuring Amateurs in the rated divisions at 3’3″, and 3’6″, and also the 3’0″ Amateur Owner Hunters, presented by Outdoor Outfitters of California. All gathered on Saturday and Sunday for division competition, as well as hunter classics and special awards.
It was a weekend to remember for amateur rider Caroline Ingalls aboard Concerto, as the pair was unstoppable, earning Grand Champion honors ahead of Reserve Champion Call Me Maybe and Mark Miness.
3’6″ Amateur Owner Hunters
In the pinnacle Amateur-owner division, it was Ingalls and Concerto who dominated, winning every class and earning a perfect 40 points. By doing so they also claimed the Grand Hunter Championship, presented by USHJA Zone 10, out of the two rated amateur-owner divisions. The pair had a very successful week, also taking a reserve championship in the USHJA National Hunter Derby on Friday night under the lights indoors.
The reserve championship honors were taken by Paige Junker and Duet, who consistently placed in the top of the division.
In the 3’6″ Amateur Owner Challenge, presented by Marshall & Sterling, Ingalls and Concerto took home the lion’s share of the prizes yet again. With scores of 84 and 87 points, they showcased another two beautiful rounds to take the win, a fitting end to a wonderful week.
Second place prizes went to Lindsey Schiefelbein and her new ride Prestige, who posted scores of 86 and 80 points to take the red rosette. Rounding out the top three were Bayou and Michelle Filanc, who received scores of 80 and 83 points to take home the yellow ribbon.
3’3″ Amateur Owner Hunters
In the Balmoral Farm sponsored 3’3″ Amateur Owner Hunter division, Mark Miness and his longtime partner Call Me Maybe, owned by Glen Haven Farm, posted two wins in the division and consistent placings in the other two classes to earn 30 points and the division championship. Miness and Call Me Maybe received the Reserve Grand Championship honors out of the 3’3″ and 3’6″ Amateur Owner Hunter sections.
Sybil Rose also rode her longtime partner HLF Wanderlust, owned by the Homestead Lane Farm, to first and second places in the division to earn 17 points and the reserve championship in the division.
In the 3’3″ Hunter Challenge, presented by Callidae, 10 horse-and-rider combinations took the grass field, and Rose came out on top with HLF Wanderlust. The duo posted 88 points in the first round, followed by 78 points in the second round to take 166 points and the win.
Chelsea Samuels and Adele, owned by Woodvale, posted scores of 84 and 78 points to take the second-place ribbon. Caren Kelley and her own Leonetti rounded out the top three, earning scores of 77 and 82 points.
3’0″ Amateur Owner Hunters
The 3’0″ Amateur Owner Hunter division, presented by Outdoor Outfitters, consisted of three over fences classes and an under saddle. With three wins in the division and a second-place in the under saddle, Tonia Cook Looker and Deja Blue, owned by Lexie Looker, dominated the division and earned 36 points to take the championship.
“This was DJ’s first time showing out on the grass, and he exceeded all of our expectations,” said Cook Looker. “As a 6-year-old hunter, this is his first year showing and he has come such a long way in under a year. Showing with him out here on the grass field was a blast and we’re grateful to Blenheim EquiSports for holding the AO Hunter Challenges.”
Sunday afternoon brought the 3’0″ Hunter Challenge, presented by Outdoor Outfitters. Nine entries took the field, and Deja Blue took the blue yet again with Cook Looker.
More online: http://bit.ly/809A_Blen
Leave a Comment
All fields must be filled in to leave a message.