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Stars of Spring

Rising talent is showcased during Blenheim season

Special to the Horsetrader - May 7th, 2015 - Feature Article, Show & Event News
Trained by her father, Estelle Navet and Revann de Lojou have shined this spring, here winning the Modified Junior-Amateur Jumper Classic.

Trained by her father, Estelle Navet and Revann de Lojou have shined this spring, here winning the Modified Junior-Amateur Jumper Classic.

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SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — The Spring Series in San Juan Capistrano at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park was a full four weeks this year. Offering classes for young horses and young riders as well as Hunter Derbies and Grand Prix events, there was an abundance of winners during the circuit. Highlighted below are four female champions, three amateurs and one professional, who not only enjoyed the experience but brought home some top prizes.

Estelle Navet and Revann de Lojou
Blenheim Spring was a comfortable and rewarding venue for the young and elegant Estelle Navet. Trained by her father, international show jumping champion Eric Navet, the two have formed an undeniably successful partnership. Her victory in the Modified Junior-Amateur Jumper Classic was particularly sweet with her family in attendance. Estelle credits both parents and her sister for valuable help and support.

The course rode well for her, and the ample size of the large grass Grand Prix ring helped her horse, Revann de Lojou, to find his rhythm. With a lot of room between fences in the jump-off, the pair were able to use his speed to their advantage. “He is really motivated in the ring and very fast on the ground,” she commented. “He knows what he is doing and never hesitates, which makes me feel confident. Back in the barn he has a very funny personality and always wants my attention.”

Her plans for the summer are to stay near her home base in San Diego and compete at Showpark in Del Mar and at Blenheim in San Juan Capistrano. Already becoming a great team, Estelle and Revann de Lojou, under the guiding hand of her father, undoubtedly have more show ring success.

Juliana Ball and Dos Lunas Columbia Z started their Blenheim season with a Low Jr/AO Classic win in Week 1, then took the Modified Jr/AO classic in Week 3.

Juliana Ball and Dos Lunas Columbia Z started their Blenheim season with a Low Jr/AO Classic win in Week 1, then took the Modified Jr/AO classic in Week 3.

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Juliana Ball and Dos Lunas Columbia Z
Starting off with a win in the Low Jr/AO Classic in week one at the new Blenheim Spring Fling, Juliana came back in week three to win the Modified Jr/AO classic. Pleased that the course was widespread and “had some length to it,” she felt that it provided a test for technique as well. For the jump-off, she and her trainer Tammy Chipko decided to try to go clean but also to set a competitive pace. The third fence came off a tricky and tight left turn. “This is where most had difficulty, and I had difficulty as well, but Columbia was with me for the win and supported my decision. The other riders in the jump-off were methodical and quick but ultimately could not catch my little grey mare.”

Of her mount, Juliana says that even as a young horse Columbia’s demeanor was the most impressive of any horse she has ridden. “She has brought me many victories in Argentina and now in the US. I have never had a more willing or competitive horse. The second we get into the show ring, she knows her job and gives everything she has to jump clean. Her heart and ability continue to amaze me on a daily basis as we conquer new goals.”

“The Blenheim Spring Series is a superb place to compete. It’s beautiful and offers the challenge of competing against talented riders and horses – a great place for a horse and rider team to grow together.”

This summer Juliana plans to compete with her trainer Tammy Chipko of Shelburne Farms, based in Redmond, WA, in the Pacific Northwest and Canada. She looks forward to showing at Thunderbird in Vancouver, gaining more miles, learning opportunities, and hopefully more great results.

Alexis Meadows will show at Showpark Ranch & Coast and the June Classic I for the WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular, then head to Canada.

Alexis Meadows will show at Showpark Ranch & Coast and the June Classic I for the WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular, then head to Canada.

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Alexis Meadows and Lugano
A win in the Spring Classic II $1000 Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic was the biggest highlight of the Spring Series for Alexis Meadows and her horse Lugano, a 9-year-old Belgian Warmblood. The duo just started competing in the 3’6” Amateur-Owner 18-35 division this year after ending 2014 on the Indoor circuit in the 3’3” Low A/O division.

The two-round format of the Classic gave Alexis an opportunity to redeem herself and exhibit the gray gelding’s clean and crisp style. “I had made a really stupid mistake in a round beforehand, so I remember feeling very grateful to my horse for being so forgiving and saving me in the Classic,” Alexis laughed.

“Lugano is an incredible horse. I’ve had him since he was six and there has never been a day that he hasn’t been a consummate professional in the ring, especially since I began my amateur career with him and he has had to put up with a lot from me! He is truly a pleasure to ride and I couldn’t ask for a better partner.”

Riding with Revolution Farms out of Silverado, CA, Alexis plans to show at Showpark Ranch & Coast and the June Classic I for the WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular, before heading to Canada for the Thunderbird Summer Fort series. She looks forward to her debut in the Hunter Derbies.

Jenny Karazissis, here with Linda Gatti Sears’s 6-year-old Endeavor, is poised for another brilliant year in the hunter division.

Jenny Karazissis, here with Linda Gatti Sears’s 6-year-old Endeavor, is poised for another brilliant year in the hunter division.

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Jenny Karazissis
Jenny Karazissis is a familiar face in the winner’s circle in any number of hunter divisions throughout the West Coast circuit. Known as the “Queen of the Hunter Derbies,” the Far West Farms rider and trainer has been adding multiple wins in the California Professional Horseman’s Association West Coast Pre-Green Hunter Stake.

Jenny and Lisa Hankin’s Puissance R took home the trophy plate in the first Pre-Green Stake of the 2015 season at Spring Classic I. Hosted on the gorgeous grass hunter field at Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, the Stake was an inaugural event on the grass for many of the green hunters and served as excellent preparation for the $25,000 Final to be held in the fall.

Puissance R (Lisa Hankin, owner), a 9-yr-old California-bred Hanoverian, by Pablo out of Fastenyourseatbelt R, was one of the young horses that encountered a good gallop on the grass for the first time. “We felt it was important for her to get experience on that field before the Final in the fall. It was also very nice that Lisa was there to watch. We are all so proud of her!”

She was her own greatest competition in the following week’s Stake, taking home the tricolor this time with Linda Gatti Sears’ Endeavor. As a 6-yr-old, the Zangersheide hunter was quite excited to break in his grass-galloping horseshoes, but settled down in time to allow Jenny to pilot his prize-winning, straightforward style to top scores.

The Spring Series kicked off a summer schedule for Jenny that includes several more weeks at Blenheim shows in Del Mar and San Juan Capistrano, before traveling north to compete in the Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby and her favorite show, the Menlo Charity Horse Show.

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