Competitions

U.S. Nations Cup qualifier moved to San Juan Capistrano on the West coast

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November 18, 2021

By SARA CAVANAGH

LEXINGTON, Ky.--The U.S. qualifying competition for the Nations Cup Finals in Barcelona, which had previously always been held in Florida, either in Wellington or Ocala, will be held this year in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., from May 10-15, 2022.

Lillie Keenan on Skyhorse,, a member of the 2021 Nations Cup Finals teamDue to Covid, there was no FEI Jumping Nations Cup series competition in the United States or anywhere else in the world during the past year.

Instead, with no qualifying events, the FEI named teams to compete and one of those was the U.S.

A total of 22 nations, 10 from Europe, three from North America, two from South America, two from the Middle East, two from Asia/Australasia, one apiece from Africa and Eurasia, plus the host nation Spain, were invited to compete at the Final at the Barcelona Polo Club.

With a very young team the U.S. finished a close fifth.

Next spring, the U.S. qualifier for the 2022 Nations Cup Final will be held at Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano.

The competition will mark the first time the FEI Jumping Nations Cup in the USA will be held on the West Coast of the United States.

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Woods Baughman and Phillip Dutton win CCI4* Long and Short divisions at Tryon

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November 17, 2021

By Staff Writers

MILL SPRING, N.C.--Woods Baughman of Lexington, Ky., won the CCI 4*-L Eventing National Championship with C’est La Vie 135 on a score of 29.4 following the stadium jumping on Sunday, Nov. 14 in Tryon, while Phillip Dutton of West Grove, Pa., on Z won the CCI4*S after the cross country, also on Sunday.

Woods Baughman on Cest La Vie (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)Woods had made a comeback after overcoming a broken back, and he improved from finishing third in 2020.

Sweetening the victory even more was finishing just ahead of his coach, Sharon White of Summit Point, W. Va., on Claus 63, who finished on a score of 36.7 for second after adding .8 penalties for time to their total.

Will Coleman of Gordonsville, Va., on Chin Tonic HS had one rail down to finish third on a  score of 38.0.

Baughman was the only CCI 4*-L rider to go double-clear over the coss-country course set by Captain Mark Phillips.

“On Cross-Country yesterday, he was such a machine," said Baughman. "I wasn’t sure about the time at the end, so I just dropped the reins. I let him do his thing, and we ended up well inside the time. Overnight, I was just keeping him as relaxed as possible, so he didn’t get all tight, especially with it being so cold this morning.”

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Woods Baughman on C’est La Vie takes the lead in CCI 4*-L at Tryon while Phillip Dutton stays in the lead in the CCI3*S

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November 15, 2021

By Staff Writers

MILL SPRING, N.C.--Woods Baughman of Lexington, Ky., on C’est La Vie was double clear cross country to move into the lead in the USEF CCI 4*-L Eventing National Championship at Tryon on Saturday, Nov. 13, finishing in nine minutes and 36 seconds to stay on his dressage score of 29.4.

Woods Baughman on Cest La Vie (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)Will Coleman of Gordonsville, Va., on Chin Tonic HS added 7.6 time penalties to his dressage score of 26 for a total score of 33.6 to be second, while Sharon White of Groton, Mass., on Claus 63 has 35.9 points for third after adding six time penalties to her dressage score.

Baughman was the only competitor to finish the course set by Captain Mark Phillips without time faults.

Jumping clear was an accomplishment that only nine entries managed, with five horses picking up 20 penalties and seven competitors failing to complete the course.

“He was fantastic," said Baughman of C'est La Vie.. "I mean, he’s a total powerhouse on course. I set him up for the important combinations, and everywhere else, I just let him run. And then we got to the end of the course, we had that big hill, and I wasn’t exactly sure of my time, because I had that hold on course. As I headed to the hill, I decided not to take any chances, and I just dropped the reins and let him run.”

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Will Coleman on Chin Tonic HS leads 4*L at Tryon

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November 13, 2021

By Staff Writers

MILL SPRING, N.C.--Will Coleman of Gordonsville, Va., and Chin Tonic HS lead the USEF CCI 4*-L Eventing National Championship at Tryon on a score of 26.0 after the two days of dressage competition. 

Will Coleman on Chin Tonic HS (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)The event features CCI 1*-4*-L competition and CCI 4*-S competition.

Woods Baughman on C’est La Vie scored a 29.4 for second, and Sharon White is third with Claus 63 on 29.9.

Chin Tonic HS is competing for only the third time in advanced competition, so Coleman said he is aiming for an educational yet competitive experience.

“He’s a very talented young horse,” Coleman said. “He’s very green for this kind of competition, but we feel that he’s ready. He showed some of his greenness in his test, but he has so much quality that he can get away with it. I feel fortunate to be where we are and recognize I’m riding a really good horse in that phase.”

“The main thing we want to think about is just giving him a good run for his future and development, but we’re here to be competitive as well,” Coleman said. “We’re formulating a good plan for him, and then we’ll go out there tomorrow and try our best to execute it.

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Zayna Rizvi won the ASPCA Maclay Championship at the National Horse Show

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November 9, 2021

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Zayna Rizvi of Wellington, Fla., won the 88th ASPCA Maclay National Championship over 175 juniors who had qualified for the finals in regionals after three rounds of jumping and a flat phase at the National Horse Show on Nov. 7.

Zayna RizviHer win capped a year of top wins in both equitation and jumpers.

“I’ve had a great week here competing with my jumper horses and moving into the bigger FEI classes, and I’ve learned so much," said Rizvi. "I’ve been working toward this all year so this is a really great way to end our season. Now my horse, Finnick, gets a break until the Winter Equestrian Festival. This win means so much to me. I want to thank everyone who had a part in this and helped me get here today. I am very thankful.”

The course set by Bobby Murphy for the first round incorporated long-set bending lines and two one-stride combinations, one of which would be jumped in both directions, and it demanded a purposeful pace while maintaining control throughout the course.

The  judges were Archibald Cox and Keri Kampsen, who won the ASPCA Maclay National Championship in 1997,

After the first round, 24 riders, led by Rizvi, qualified for the flat phase, with the 12 lower scoring riders going first followed by the 12 highest scoring riders going in the second group.

Behind Rizvi in the callback lineup for the flat round, were Grace Debney, Catalina Peralta, Tessa P. Brown and Audrey Schulze.

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Kent Farrington and McLain Ward finish first and second in the World Cup at the National

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November 7, 2021

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Kent Farrington rode to win the $213,300 FEI Jumping World Cup at the National Horse Show on Saturday, Nov. 5.

Kent Farrington on GazelleIn the first round, 35 representing 10 countries competed in the World Cup, which was the third leg in the tour.

Mark Bluman of Columbia had the first clear round, followed by Aaron Vale, Paul O’Shea of Ireland, Natalie Dean, Daniel Bluman of Isreal, McLain Ward, Canadian Tiffany Foster, Farrington and Margie Engle.

With the only clean roundin the jump-off, Farrington pllaces first, with Ward on Contagious, the fastest to the four-faulters second and Bluman on Ladriano Z third.

“I only had one rider after me, and I felt as though a neat clear round was a smart play," said Farrington. "I have a very experienced horse, and she has been an amazing horse for me and my career. Robin Parsky has been very supportive of my management of this horse and that is part of what has made her last so long, being able to move her up and drop her back. Today is a great way to gear up for other events. The first round, she was hyper careful so there was a little bit of jockeying around. I thought that the jump off was a good opportunity to let her settle down and go for a cruise and that worked out for me for the win.”

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Kristen Vanderveen won the $36,600 Two Phase, Power and Speed jumper class at the National

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November 6, 2021

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Kristen Vanderveen on Faustino De Tili won the International Two Phase CSI4* International show jumping competition, previously known as a power and speed class, at the National Horse Show on Friday, Nov. 5.

File photo of Kristen Vanderveen on Faustino De Till (Photo by Sportfot)A highlight event of the day, 32 international riders competed over the two phase course  with a $36,600 purse.

Bernardo Costa Cabral of Portugal set an eight-obstacle first-phase track, and all that were clean would advance to the six-fence speed phase.  

After placing second in Thursday’s $72,900 International Welcome Stake CSI4*, Kent Farrington blazed through the course on Austria 2, stopping the timers in 32.12 seconds, then Aaron Vale on Major, Vale turned in an even faster time of 30.45.

As the second to last to go, Vanderveen was speedy as ever on Faustino de Tili, to post a  time of 30.18 seconds for the win.

Vale was second and Farrington was third.

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Karl Cook and McLain Ward win in jumper classes at National Horse Show

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November 6, 2021

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Karl Cook on Caillou 24 won the  $72,900 International Welcome Stake CSI4* over a field of 37 representing nine nations, including the United States, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Great Britain, Brazil, Russia, Switzerland and Israel on Thursday, Nov. 4 at the National Horse Show,

Karl Cook on Caillou 24 (Photo by Georgie Hammond)Earlier in the afternoon, McLain Ward rode Catoki to beat a 36-horse field in the $36,600 International Speed CSI4*.

Portugal’s Bernardo Costa Cabral designed the 13-obstacle course for the Welcome Stake.

Canadian Erynn Ballard on Jack Van’t Kattenheye was the first to go clean in the Welcome Stake, and two trips later, Ward would force a jump-off after turning in a clear round on his Tokyo Olympic Games mount, Contagious.

Eight others would go clean, including Margie Engle, Aaron Vale, Santiago Lambre of Brazil, Kent Farrington, Cook , Alessandra Volpi, Jordan Coyle of Ireland and Shane Sweetnam, also riding for Ireland.

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Scott Stewart wins 14th Leading Hunter Rider Award and Grand Champion Professional Hunter at National Horse Show

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November 4, 2021

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Dr. Betsee Parker’s Charlemagne was the Grand Champion Professional Hunter. while his rider Scott Stewart of Flemington, N.J., won the Leading Hunter Rider Award for the14th time at the National Horse Show on Wednesday,, Nov. 3..

Scott Stewart on Charlemagne (Photo by Phelps Media Group)Stewart and Charlemagne were the Green Conformation Hunter Champions.

During Tuesday’s competition, the 7-year-old Selle Francais stallion earned a score of 89 in the first round to win the class out of 14 entries and then scored 88 in the handy round, adding another win.

Wednesday morning was no different, with Charlemagne placing first in the under saddle and then Stewart rode the flashy stallion to another win in the Stake class, giving Charlemagne a perfect 40 points to earn the championship in the Green Conformation Hunter division, and the Grand Champion Professional Hunter title.

A total of 124 points throughout the five divisions of in the Green Hunter, 3'6" and 3'9", Green Conformation, High Performance Conformation and High Performance Hunter divisions. with his five mounts, For Always, Charlemagne, Love Note, Cabrio and True Blue, earned Stewart the Leading Hunter Rider.

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Jeff Ayers leads in Green Hunter 3'9" after day one of the National Horse Show

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November 3, 2021

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Jeffrey Ayers of Sellersville, Pa., rode his own Cartel to lead in the Green 3’9” Hunter division on Tuesday, Nov. 2, the first day of the National Horse Show.

Jeff Ayers on CartelAyers won the first class of the division with a score of 88 and then scored 89 in the second class, the handy hunter, to place second.

Ayers said he was thrilled with the young horse’s performance as he heads into Wednesday’s competition which will determine the champion.

Course designer Bobby Murphy  set the first round hunter track equipped with beautifully decorated natural fences that mimicked the traditional hunt style.

The long-set lines made for the perfect course that required a forward pace and open stride throughout.

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U.S. team finished 11th of 20 teams in Spain

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November 2, 2021

By Staff Writers

VEJER de la Frontera, Spain -- A team of four FEI Nations Cup new-comers to international competition represented the U.S. at the CSIO3* Victoria Nations Cup in the province of Cádiz, Spain.

The U.S. was one of 20 countries fielding teams for the Nations Cup competition and finished in a tie for 11th place out of the competitive group.

“It was all of our U.S. athletes’ first Nations Cup and they did very well,” said Chef d’Equipe Anne Kursinski. “With 20 teams, it was a tough technical course, and we missed getting into the second round by less than one rail. It was a wonderful experience for all of them. We’re looking forward to FEI Jumping Nations Cup Vilamoura!”

Maria Costa of Wellington, Fla., on Ravello Farm was the first to go for the U.S. team, and she had just one rail at the start of the triple combination and finished with no time penalties.

Olivia Chowdry of Denver, Colo, on Balkana Du Tillard didn't have any rails down, but she had a foot in the water and a single time fault to finish on a five-fault score.

Hilary McNerney of Wellington, Fla., on Chuck 27 had two rails down and a single time penalty for a total score of nine faults.

Carly Anthony, also of Wellington, on Jet Blue had just one late-falling rail on the final jump and finished well within the time to add just four faults to the American team’s score.

The team total of 13 points put them in a tie for 11th position after the first round in a very tight race.

Canadian Tiffany Foster won the World Cup class at Washington H.S.

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October 31, 2021

By Staff Writers

MILL SPRING, N.C.--Canadian Tiffany Foster on Figor won the $215,000 FEI Jumping World Cup at the Washington International Horse Show, held this year in Tryon because of Covid,

Tiffany Foster on Figor (Photo by Shawn MacMillan)From a starting field of 33, only four, Alex Granato, Karl Cook, Alessandra Volpi and Foster, made it to the jump-off, and it was the last to go, Foster on Figor, that won.

Volpi, who is only 21, made it to the jump-off while top riders like McLain Ward, Kent Farrington and Beat Mandi had a rail down.

First in the jump-off was Granato on Carlchen W, who had the fastest jump-off time of 35.01 seconds, but a rail at the final jump left them with four faults in third place.

“I had a bit of a setback with Carlchen in September,” said Granato of the 13-year-old Mecklenburg gelding by Chacco-Blue x Continue. “We had some trouble with his foot at the Spruce Meadows Masters. I've been spending the last few weeks since then building him back and making sure he felt confident, and luckily, I know him well enough to step back up tonight. I tried to let his natural speed carry me. Typically, I probably would have kept going and done one less and had a little more room at the last jump but just with building him back up I took a little bit of caution. It worked against me which was unfortunate. These girls jumped beautiful rounds, and I certainly wasn't trying to be third, but they definitely deserve where they are at.”

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Sydney Shulman won the Speed Final while Ward, Coyle and Lambre tied in the Puissance at Washington H.S.

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October 30, 2021

By Staff Writers

MILL SPRING, N.C.--Israeli rider Sydney Shulman of Greenwich, Conn., on Villamoura won the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Friday evening, Oct. 29 at the Washington International H.S., held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center due to Covid.

Sydney Shulman on Villamoura (Photo by Shawn MacMillan)Later in the evening, McLain Ward on Catoki, Daniel Coyle of Ireland and Imar, and Santiago Lambre of Brazil on The Diamant Rose Z tief for the win in the $25,000 Puissance class.

Forty-four competed in a faults converted format over the track designed by Bernardo Costa Cabral of Portugal  in Speed Final. 

Shulman was 17th to go in the order and could not be caught after stopping the timers at 53.25 seconds.

 Shulman and Villamoura also won this class in 2019 as well as the $36,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class.

“I definitely planned on aiming for this class tonight for her to try to win,” said Shulman. “I’ve had her a little over six years now. She’s unbelievable. She’s as fast, brave, and careful as any horse in the world really.”

Shulman knew she would have to go all out after McLain Ward and Catoki set the pace early on with a quick time of 53.92 seconds.

“After McLain went on Catoki, he came out and started to fire me up,” said Shulman. “Little did he know he actually gave me more of a fire inside me to try to beat him. Catoki and Villamoura are probably the two fastest horses that show consistently against each other. It’s a little bit of a fun game at this point, and we joke around about it.

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Todd Minikus and McLain Ward win jumper classes at Washington International H.S.

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October 30, 2021

By Staff Writers

MILL SPRING, N.C.--McLain Ward on Catoki won the $36,600 International Jumper Accumulator class, and Todd Minikus on Amex Z won the $72,900 Welcome Stake in the evening at the Washington International Horse Show, held this year in Tryon due to Covid, on Oct. 28.

Todd Minikus on Amex Z (Photo by Shawn MacMillan)Todd Minikus, last year’s winner of the $214,000 WIHS President’s Cup Grand Prix CSI4*, returned to WIHS with a vengeance but under slightly different circumstances.

This year, he entered Tryon Stadium for the $72,900 Welcome Stake having had nearly a month off due to an injury.

“I had a horse rear and fall on me, and I haven’t ridden in almost four weeks,” said Minikus, of Lake Worth, Fla. “The day before yesterday was the first time I’ve ridden since the injury. The horse came completely over on top of me and smashed my pelvis, but I’m very fortunate nothing broke."

“I have to take my hat off to Brooke Rainey and Danny Balzani who take care of Amex Z and Jonathan Williams and Riley Delbecq who rode her the past month while I limped around,” he continued. “They did an awesome job of having her ready for me to ride.”

Minikus, who is known for going for broke in the jump off, did just that.

Minikus beat a field of 41 contestants. 

In the first round, 17 went clean, but with three riders electing to withdraw, 14 returned for the jump off. 

Minikus on Amex Z crossed the timers in the fast speed of 29.68 seconds.

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Scott Stewart won two Grand Championships at Washington International H.S.

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October 29, 2021

By Staff Writers

MILL SPRING, N.C.--Scott Stewart of Flemington, N.J., riding Dr. Betsee Parker’s Charlemagne, won not one, but two grand championships, both the Grand Champion Green Hunter and Grand Champion Hunter titles at the Washington International Horse Show, held this year in Tryon, on Oct, 27.

Scott Stewart on Charlemagne (Photo by Shawn MacMillan)“He showed a little bit in the Pre-Green Hunter division as a 5-year-old, and he was quite successful,” said Stewart. “Then last year, I think he only showed maybe two or three times before COVID happened, and then he didn’t compete the rest of the year.”

Stewart credits Charlemagne’s easy-going nature for being able to step up to the plate this week in Tryon Stadium and the Grand Hunter Ring at WIHS.

“He’s really easy every day at home, and he doesn’t really act like a stallion at all,” said Stewart. “He was actually really good in the big ring yesterday. That was exciting.”

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Jimmy Torano won in Green Hunters at Washington International Horse Show

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October 27, 2021

By Staff Writers

MILL SPRING, N.C.--Jimmy Torano of Mohrsviille, Pa., rode Daryl Portela’s Laskano to win both $2,500 Green Hunter 3’6” over fences classes at the Washington International Horse Show on Tuesday, Oct. 26, at the  International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring.

Jimmy Torano on Laskano (Photo by Shawn MacMillan)The Washington International was moved from its usually venue in Washington to Tryon due to Covid restrictions, and Tuesday’s opening day of competition featured the start of the professional and amateur hunter divisions, as well as welcome classes for child and adult hunter riders.

Although a riding accident with a different horse kept Portela from riding Laskano, she recognized the horse’s potential in the show ring and asked Torano to take over the ride.

Torano was happy to oblige.

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Ella Witt Wins USHJA 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal Final - East

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October 26, 2021

By Staff Writers

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--Ella Witt of Califon,, N.J. won the 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal Final - East, held during the New England Equitation Championships at Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield on Saturday, Oct. 23.

Ella Witt (Photo by Anne Gittins)Witt was an equitation final rooky, but, riding Stakkair, she looked like a seasoned veteran as she rose from sixth to win over Haley Edwardson of Ridgefield, Conn., who finished second and Carolyn Carpenter of Darien, Conn., who was third.

Scott Alder of Oxford, Mich., designed the first round course that judges Ellen Raidt of Wellington, Fla., and Danny Robertshaw of Camden, S.C. saw 96 riders contest.

Edwardson took an early lead with an 87 on Deo Volente, followed closely by five other competitors within 3 points, including Carpenter in fourth and Witt in sixth.

The top 25 riders returned to take on the second course, which shuffled the riders as the top six were called back to test in reverse order of their cumulative, unannounced scores.

Heading into the third round, Carpenter sat sixth with Witt second, and Edwardson remaining first.

In the end, Witt's performance over the shortened course, which included hand gallop and counter canter fences, wowed the judges and edged out Edwardson for the win in her first equitation final.

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Cassandra Kahle won the $100,000 Grand Prix de Penn National

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October 25, 2021

By Staff Writers

HARRISBURG, Pa.--Cassandra Kahle of Califon, N.J., rode Pyrenes de Louzes to victory in the $100,000  Grand Prix de Penn National on aturday, Oct. 23, the final day of the Pennsylvania National Horse Show,

Cassandra Kahle on Pyrenes de Louzes (Photo by Andrew Ryback)From a starting field of 19, only Kahle, Kaitlyn Williams, Laura Chapot and Devin Ryan qualified to return for the jump-off.

Chapot was the first to return in the jump-off, but a rail down with Chandon Blue would leave the door open for the other three.

Riding her own Cassio Melloni, Williams raced through that door, stopping the clock in 37.131 seconds, but her lead was short-lived, as Kahle was the next to return, and she made short work of the track, shaving more than a second off of Williams’ time to finish on 36.012 seconds.

Coluccio on Egaliniwas the last to go, but three rails down placed him fourth and secured the win for Kahle and Pyrenes de Louzes.

Williams and Cassio Melloni finished in second, while Chapot and Chandon Blue was third.

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Christian Coyle, Alexa Karet and Jaime Auletto winners in Harrisburg

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October 24, 2021

By Staff Writers

HARRISBURG, Pa.,--Irishman Christian Coyle rode Dekato to win the $30,000 1.30m Grand Prix in the evening, while Alexa Karet and Jaime Auletto won the inaugural Penn National Grand Children’s and Adult Hunter Championship titles during the afternoon session of the 75th Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Oct. 22

Christian Coyle on Dekato (Photo by Andrew Ryback)Coyle and the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding were one of 10 entries from the 31-horse field to go clean over the first-round course, set by Manuel Esparza.

When Coyle went in the jump-off with three horses still to follow him, the time to beat was 40.531 seconds, set by Victoria Colvin on Gemino.

“He’s naturally fast,” said Coyle after finishing  in 39.235 seconds to win. “He’s a big horse, but his legs are always moving, and he knows where his legs are."

“It's fantastic to win tonight,” said Coyle, who has had Dekato since February of this year. “More than anything, the horse deserves it. Every day he gives us his all, and as I don't mess up, he's always there or thereabouts, so I'm just delighted for him.”

Finishing second was Colvin on Gemino, and third place was Taylor St. Jacques on Happysine with a jump-off time of 40.582 seconds.

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Kaitlyn Williams and Laura Chapot first and second in $30,000 1.45m Grand Prix in Harrisburg, Kelly Tropin was Grand Amateur Owner Champion

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October 23, 2021

By Staff Writers

HARRISBURG, Pa.--Kaitlyn Williams and Cassio Melloni won the $30,000 1.45m Grand Prix on Thursday, Oct. 21, at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, beating Laura Chapot, who placed second and third.

Kaitlyn Williams on Cassio Melloni (Photo by Andrew Ryback)From a 23-horse field, nine entries advanced to jump off over the Manuel Esparza-designed course.

When Williams went in the jump-off, the time to beat had been set at 31.154 seconds by Wednesday night’s winner Chapot, this time on Chandon Blue, and Williams was 4/10s of a second faster, finishing in 30.765 seconds.

Chapot on her Wednesday-night-winning mount, Calafornia, was the final entry to return for the jump-off, and she gave Williams a real run for her money, stopping the clock less than one-tenth of a second behind Cassio Melloni to take second with a time of 30.812 seconds.

Chapot also placed third on Chandon Blue.

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Laura Chapot places first, third and fourth in the 1.40m speed class in Harrisburg

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October 21, 2021

By Staff Writers

HARRISBURG, Pa.--Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, N.J., rode Calafornia to win the $10,000 1.40m, as well as placing third and fourth in the class on Wednesday, Oct. 20, to begin the Open Jumper divisions at the 75th Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg.

Laura Chapot on Calafornia (Photo by Andrew Ryback)Chapot, on the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, owned by Laura and Mary Chapot, was the second of 22 entries to compete in the one-round speed track set by course designer Manuel Esparza of Mexico.

With 20 horses still to follow Chapot on Calafornia, it seemed there would be plenty of opportunities to beat her time, but no one would come close to her 55.384-second finish.

Second place with a time of 57.592 seconds went to Hadden Frost of Upperville, Va., riding his own Finou 4.

Frost is better known to steeplechase fans as a top rider for Jack Fisher, having won on horses such as Timber Horse of the Year Doc Cebu.

Chapot also finished in third with a time of 58.354 seconds aboard Chandon Blue and fourth in 60.766 seconds with Diarado’s Flying Dutchman, both owned by Mary Chapot.

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Hunt Tosh on Cannon Creek won the Hunter Grand Championship in Harrisburg

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October 20, 2021

By Staff Writers

HARRISBURG, Pa.--Cannon Creek, owned by the Wheeler Family and ridden by Hunt Tosh, won the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Grand Hunter Championship on Tuesday, Oct. 19, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA.

Hunt Tosh on Cannon Creek (Photo by Andrew Ryback)With a clean sweep of the High Performance Hunter over fences classes and a second-place finish in the under saddle on Cannon Creek, Tosh was also named the 2021 Leading Hunter Rider as the competitor with the most points in one division.

For his classic riding style, Tosh was additionally recognized by the judges as the 2021 recipient of the Kenneth Wheeler Style of Riding Award.

“When you look at the trophies at the names of the horses, the number of great horses that they’ve had come here, it's incredible,” said Tosh, of Alpharetta, Ga. “I’m so lucky to ride for the Wheelers on some of those great horses. Then obviously to win the Kenny Wheeler Style of Riding Award today with him passing this year, it was very special.”

Tosh and Cannon Creek’s success at the PNHS comes as part of an already banner year that included victory in the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) International Hunter Derby Championship in August, and for Tosh, Cannon Creek’s accomplishments bear a striking resemblance to another PNHS grand champion.

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Hilltop Farm's Qredit Hilltop, ridden by Michael Bragdell, won the Grand Prix Freestyle and the Short Grand Prix at Dressage at Devon

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October 20, 2021

By Staff Writers

DEVON, Pa.--Michael Bragdell on Hilltop Farm's  Qredit Hilltop (Quaterback/Dream Rubina by Dream of Glory) won the FEI Grand Pix Freestyle* (CDIW) with a score of 72.995, a personal best score for Bragdell, at Dressage at Devon on Oct. 3.

Michael Bragdell on Qredit Hilltop (Photo by Ginny Simon)Qredit was bred by Judy Yancey.

Qredit Hilltop has a long history at Dressage at Devon, debuting in 2009 as a yearling colt (under the name Perfect Qredit) in the Devon Breed Show.

Ten years later, he became the Grand Champion in the same show.

In 2009, Hilltop Farm bought Qredit from Michelle Coursin, an air traffic controller who boarded her colt at Hilltop.

“From the day he came to the farm as a yearling, we all felt he was something specia,l" said Bragdell. "He was so well behaved.”

He started Qredit Hilltop under saddle and has been working with him ever since.

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Elkridge-Harford is Hunt Night Champion in Harrisburg

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October 19, 2021

By Staff Writers

HARRISBURG, Pa--The Elkridge-Harford Hunt Club won the Hunt Night Champions on Monday, Oct. 18, at the 75th Pennsylvania National Horse Show.

Elkridge-HarfordThe winning hunt was one of eight registered hunt clubs from across Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia represented at Hunt Night, and throughout the evening, more than 50 riders participated in the offered Field Hunter, Sidesaddle, Hunter Under Saddle, and Hunt Team classes.

At the conclusion of the competition, it was the team from the Elkridge-Harford Hunt Club that had accumulated the most points throughout the evening’s events.

For the championship, the hunt, represented by Scarlet Davies, Delaney O’Neill, Lauren Mentzel, Robert Keller, Elizabeth Bridges and Ashton Williams, was presented with the Ralph A. Alfano Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by his family.

“Hunt Night gets all of the clubs together, and it’s friendly competition,” said Keller, who has ridden with the Elkridge Harford Hunt Club of Monkton, Md., for nine years. “Without doing this stuff together, hunt clubs are not going to survive. It’s important that we get together for friendly competition, and it gives us a chance to show off who has the best horses in the hunt field!”

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Grace Debney won the Hunter Seat Medal Finals in Harrisburg

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October 18, 2021

By Staff Writers

HARRISBURG, Pa.--Grace Debney of Hampden, Mass., won the Hunter Seat Medal Finals after a full day of competition on Sunday, Oct, 17 at the 75th Pennsylvania National Horse Show at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.

Grace Debny (Photo by Andrew Ryback)Following four rounds of testing, a field of 223 of the nation’s best junior riders was whittled down to the new USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final champion.

Zayna Rizvi of Wellington, Fla., riding Finnick placed second, in third place was Eleanor Rudnicki of The Woodlands, Texas on Travis Scott, and Skylar Wireman of Bonsall, Calif., on Eretto was fourth.

“It’s a huge honor to even be here at this show, so it’s such an honor to win,” said Debney, 17, who trains with Samantha Schaeffer and Kate Conover of Shadow Ridge and who earned the victory on Quimby.

“I came in here with really high hopes and really high goals, and I'm so happy that I was able to achieve them," said Debney. "It’s just one of those shows where everyone is here, and everyone is competing. I'm just so happy to be at the top of the list.”

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Boyd Martin won the first Maryland 5 Star Event over World Number One Oliver Townend

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October 18, 2021

By SARA CAVANAGH

FAIR HILL, Md.--Boyd Martin of Cochranville, Pa., who said he'd been trying to win a 5* for a long time, finally succeeded and became the first American to win a CCI5*-L since 2008 when he rode On Cue to win the inaugural Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill on Sunday, Oct. 17.

Boyd Martin on On Cue (Photo by Allen MacMillan)Martin was third after cross country behind world number one Oliver Townend of Great Britain and Tim Price of New Zealand, but the three of them were only one rail apart going into show jumping.

"I was hoping to finish in the top five, but Lady Luck was on our side," said Martin.

Martin was the first of the three to go and was clean, then Price had a rail down, and Townend, last to go as competitors returned in reverse order of placings, also had a rail, giving Martin the win by one tenth of a point.

Martin on On Cue finished on his dressage score of 25.0. while Townend on Cooley Master Class finished on 25.1, with Price, 28.3, third.

Martin and On Cue, a 15-year-old Anglo-European mare owned by Christine, Thomas, and Tommie Turner, turned in one of only seven clear rounds from the 34 that qualified for show jumping from the 45 starters in the 5*.

The 16-effort, 1.30m course was designed by Ken Krome.

Martin won not only  the title but also $100,000 of the $300,000 prize money.

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Hannah Hoch won the Junior Jumper Championship while Taylor Kraft finished third

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October 18, 2021

By Staff Writers

HARRISBURG, Pa.--Hannah Hoch and Shariva won the $10,000 USEF Junior Jumper National Championship on Saturday, Oct. 16, with only two riders going clean in the final competition.

Hannah Hoch on Shariva (Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography)“It’s really an incredible feeling to be rewarded like this after so many years of training and hard work,” said Hoch, 18, of Whitefish Bay, Wisc. “The list of the riders that are competing here is no joke; there are a lot of experienced riders and a lot of top horses. It’s so rewarding to be able to win at such a prestigious and competitive show.”

Hoch was one of 21 entries that competed in Saturday’s Phase III class, all of whom entered the final phase carrying penalties based on their results from Phases I and II.

With riders jumping Saturday’s Manuel Esparza-designed course in reverse order of their standings, and with only 2.5 penalties separating the top five riders, the gold medal was well within any of the final riders’ grasp.

Ultimately, only two of those top five riders would complete all three phases clean: Hoch and her Heritage Farm barn mate, Natalie Jayne, of Elgin, Ill..

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Oliver Townend, Tim Price and Boyd Martin finish 1, 2, 3 in the Maryland CCI5*-L

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October 16, 2021

By Staff Writers

FAIR HILL, Md.--World #1 ranked rider Oliver Townend of Great Britain on Cooley Master Class stayed in the lead at the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill following a fault-free round during Saturday’s Cross Country to stay on 24.1.

Oliver Townend on Cooley Master Class (Photo by Allen MacMillan)Tim Price of New Zealand is second on 24.3 with Boyd Martin third on 25, so only one rail separates the top three,

Only 11 horse-and-rider combinations finished clear within the 11-minute optimum time, including Townend, to stay on hisr dressage score of 21.1 and remain in first place moving into Sunday’s showjumping phase.

“The course rode well, all in all,” said Townend, 2021 Olympic Team Gold medalist. “The top-class horses coped with it extremely well. Some of the really good gallopers made it look like a walk in the park. The time was not difficult to get with these horses, but at the same time, there were still some nice challenges, some good technical questions. Obviously, there were fences that looked big and scary, which you want in a 5 Star, but my horse came out very well.”

"My horse is very careful," said Townend. "He needs a bit of encouragement. The distances all rode the way I'd walked them."

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Zone 2 third in Prix des States in Harrisburg

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October 16, 2021

By Staff Writers

HARRISBURG, Pa.--In a fight right down to the finish, Zone 4 won the $15,000 SEF Prix des States Team Championships on Friday, Oct. 15, at the 75th Pennsylvania National Horse Show.

Prix des States PodiumClinching the win for Zone 4 were Reid Arani riding Hocus Pocus de Muze, Ansgar Holtgers on Elina, Zayna Rizvi with Excellent and Hailey Royce on Sonic Boom, all from Wellington, FL, and led by Chef d’Equipe Kim Land.

Following the conclusion of Friday night’s first round, the field of 29 riders returned over the same Manuel Esparaza-designed course in the second round, and the race for the gold ultimately came down to the anchor riders for Zones 7, 4, and 2.

For Zone 4, that rider was Holtgers, and he delivered.

As rails fell for Zones 7 and 2, Holtgers was clean for the win for the  Zone 4 team.

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Oliver Townend leads over Tim Price and Boyd Martin going into Saturday's cross country

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October 16, 2021

By SARA CAVANAGH

FAIR HILL, Md.--World No. 1 ranked British rider Oliver Townend’s score of 21.1 from Thursday's dressage competition remained on top after Friday’s final dressage phase at the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill.

Tim Price on Xavier Faer (Photo by Allen MacMillan)Riding Cooley Master Class, Townend has a three-point lead over the other competitors going into Saturday’s cross-country phase.

Two-time New Zealand Olympian Tim Price scored 24.3 on Friday afternoon, jumping to second place on Xavier Faer, and three-time U.S. Olympian Boyd Martin on On Cue is third with a score of 25.0.

But the scores remain unusually close after dressage, with only 24 points separating first from last, with the majority only three to 10 or 12 points behind - very little to make up with time faults on cross country.

With the hilly terrain on the four mile cross country course, most, if not all, the riders will accrue time faults.

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