Equifest I Wraps Up at Lamplight Equestrian Center with Championships and Classics

Paul Yanke and Chill Haze won the $7,500 Cavalor Show Jumping Hall of Fame Class.

Wayne, IL - July 27, 2014 – The final day of Equifest I at Lamplight Equestrian Center wrapped up with multiple jumper classics and the Cavalor Show Jumping Hall of Fame Classic in the Grand Prix ring while division Championships for the juniors and amateurs were awarded in the Wisconsin Equine main hunter ring.

The highlight of the day was the $7,500 Cavalor Show Jumping Hall of Fame class. Thirteen entries vied for the blue ribbon over the Greg Kuti designed course. Eight riders from the starting field made it to the twisting turning jump off where only five would be double clean.

Giavanna Rinaldi and GPS Brilliant Disguise were the first to be clean and set a pace to beat of 31.874. Next to go was Saturday’s Grand Prix winning rider, Kelsey Thatcher, with Dulf Van Den Bisschop, taking the lead with 30.156. Thatcher didn’t get to keep the lead for long. Laura Linback and Carmina set a blazing time of 29.468. Stephanie Novas and Amyra R tried to catch the pair in their usual fast fashion but weren’t fast enough with 30.919. Last to go proved to be the fastest and the only rider choosing the A option to return at the end of the class, Paul Yanke and Chill Haze clocked in at 27.442 after a timer issue was resolved.

Yanke and his wife, Ashley are from Rose Bud, Arkansas and work with Terri Knowlton. The couple started the horse about a year ago and have made big strides in bringing it along.

“He’s just incredibly talented,” said Paul Yanke. “He’s come a long way in a short time and it’s been really fun.”

“I’m just really happy with the horse and my husband!” added Ashley Yanke.

Laura Linback finished with a blazing time.

Laura Linback was also pleased with her horse’s performance today.

“Carmina jumped her absolute best today and was blazing fast in the jump off,” said Linback. “She showed all of her talent and heart today – she’s an amazing girl!”

Jumper Classics

Keepen Posted and Celia Bresch

Other winners in the Grand Prix ring on the final day of Equifest I were the classic winners, beginning with the Low Children’s Adult Jumper Classic. Celia Bresch and Keepen Posted were the fastest clean round in that classic.

Winner of the $1,500 WIHS/NAL/M&S Children’s Adult Jumper Classic was Sian Walker and Victorie R.
Photo Andrew Ryback

Christie Rugh-Bileddo rode her C’Blue to the top of the pack of nine in the $1,000 Modified Junior Amateur Jumper Classic. Photo Andrew Ryback

Kaner 88 and Caelinn Leahy had a great day winning the $1,500 Low Junior Amateur NAL Jumper Classic.
Photo Andrew Ryback

Hunter Champions

Over in the Wisconsin Equine main hunter ring, the Junior and Amateur Owner Hunters finished their divisions. One lucky junior or amateur rider who shows both weeks of Equifest will earn the chance to win a CWD saddle.

Champion in the Amateur Owner Hunter Division was Lovely Charity and Nicole Hiehle of Dublin, OH, winning two of the over fences classes in the division. Hiehle has been very successful with the horse, earning multiple championships this year. (above)

Reserve Champion went to Amanda Williamson and Nairobi News who won the handy round Saturday and the second class today. (above)

“This was my third horse show with him and this was our first championship,” said Williamson of the nine-year-old gelding. “He’s so easy to ride, he makes me look good.”

Williamson rides with Brookwood Farm in Antioch, IL along with the Junior Hunter Champion and Reserve riders.

Champion in the Junior Hunters was Coup de Coeur with Clare Sargent, Kenilworth, IL. Reserve Champion went to No Excuses owned by Katherine Pitts and ridden by Piper Benjamin of Chicago. The junior team also finished first and second in the $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic.

Piper Benjamin, Carl Weeden and Clare Sargent

“Rush and Carl (Weeden) show our horses during the week and they go great for us,” said Benjamin.

The girls added how nice it was to show around home for them.

“Last time I was here was about five years ago,” said Sargent. “I was on a pony showing in the cross rails. It was pouring rain and it threw me off into a puddle! That’s the last time I was here.”

Luckily, Sargent had a much better go of things this year.

“They really spruced things up and the Grand Prix ring is beautiful,” said Benjamin.

“The footing is excellent,” added trainer, Carl Weeden.

The Brookwood team heads to Trader’s Point next to show and then to Kentucky for the Derby Finals.

Equifest II runs July 29- August 3rd and is managed by Allen Rheinheimer. The week features a $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby and the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby along with a fantastic Derby Brunch. The
$35,000 Prix de Lamplight takes place Saturday afternoon with VIP seating available.

Lamplight Equestrian Center has been host to a number of prestigious horseshows including the American Eventing Championships, The Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships and the U.S. Para-Equestrian National Championships in addition to countless first-class Hunter shows, Jumper shows, Eventing competitions, Dressage shows and Sporthorse Inspections.

Numerous facility improvements including GGT Footing, make Lamplight Equestrian Center Chicago’s premier horse show facility.

For more information on any of the events, contact Anna Margalef at 630-546-5576 or annam@lamplightec.com or visit the website at www.lamplightequestriancenter.com. For more results visit www.horseshowsonline.com.

Photos may only be used in relation to this release.

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