Special to the Horsetrader
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Medal final season signals the end of summer and the beginning of fall, and Aug. 22-23, 121 equestrians in three age sections were challenged in the equitation arena.
When competing in the California Professional Horsemen’s Association Foundation Equitation Championships, the equitation tests are uniquely built into the two rounds. Those who had put in extra hours with the counter-canter and other technical work had an edge throughout the Championships, held at the Showpark Summer Classic in Del Mar and at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano.
In the 22 and over section, amateur rider Jessica Smith, competing for the fifth time in the CPHA Foundation finals, rode her own Haute Couture to the title. The 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood has been Smith’s partner for the past four years.
In the 14 and under division, Katalina Considine Rickard rode Lost in Blue to the winner’s circle, and Payton Potter claimed the 21 and under section title riding Khaled. Khaled is Potter’s long-time partner, and the two have become a tremendous team over the years, “Fish is a great horse. We have been together since I graduated eighth grade, and tomorrow marks the start of my last semester of high school. We were both relatively new to the Big Eq when we started, so it has been nice to grow into it together.”
More online: https://bit.ly/09blen
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