Wayne, IL - June 7, 2014 - Equitation riders were ready to go at the 8 a.m. start time today in the Wisconsin Equine ring for the USEF Pessoa/Randolph College Hunt Seat Medal at Showplace Productions' Spring Spectacular I. The Lamplight Equestrian Center grounds were landscaped in blooming colors, the derby inspired courses were set and judge Linda Andrisani was ready to put the riders to the test.
Fourteen riders completed the first round and Andrisani called back the top five to test. Elizabeth Adelson, Misty Redd, Giavanna Rinaldi, Olivia Lawton and Emily Kabeshita returned without stirrups to show over a trot jump, then canter a jump at the end of the ring to a two-stride combination, halt at the mark and exit the ring on a long rein. When the dust settled, it was Redd from Topeka, KS, at the top. Lawton took the second place spot and Adelson was third.
Misty Redd won the USEF Pessoa Medal after a work-off without stirrups.Redd, 16, rides with Brandi Holloway but is training with Diane Carney of Chicago for the show since Holloway is out of the country with her daughter, Hunter, for the FEI Junior Young Riders Nations Cup in Hagen, Germany.
"I was really happy with my horse in the first round," said Redd. "He did everything I asked him to. When I was called back I was just concentrating on the test and tried to do the best I could to move up to the top."
Her mount, Holyfield, is a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood she has had for two years now. They plan to compete in the Hunterdon Cup at Junior Hunter Finals next.
"We have a great working relationship," said Carney. "I'm happy to step in for Brandie [Holloway] while she's in Europe with her daughter competing for the U.S. Team. I'm just the trainer for a week or two, so all my work is just off of Brandie's hard work."
Redd now qualifies for the Showplace Equitation Championship which will be held at the end of Week III. Riders in the Championship Class must compete in the class without the assistance of a trainer during the entire process. Lawton and Adelson are also qualified now.
Olivia Lawton placed second in the USEF Pessoa Medal.The course was then adjusted for the $2,000 Junior Hunter Division starting with the Smalls. Paige Matthies and Expecto Patronum, owned by Dudley Smith, won the handy today and Madeline Thatcher with Pony Lane Farm's Stuck on You, won the over fences. Thatcher was consistent in the division earning her the championship with Matthies close behind to take the reserve championship ribbon.
 |
| Paige Matthies took the Reserve Championship in the Small Junior Hunters at Showplace Spring Spectacular I. |
Matthies of Traverse City, MI, is a 13-year-old seventh grader who trains with Melissa Hirt. This is her first year showing in the Junior Hunters. Her mount is Expecto Patronum, a 10-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding from Europe she has had for just over a year. Matthies also shows a Large Junior Hunter, Roc Paper Scissors, an 8-year-old Oldenburg mare out of Roc USA bred by Hirt. Matthies shows in the equitation as well as on her mount, Audience of One.
"The handy course was really fun," said Matthies. "I liked the option jumps and the trot jump and all the different options for the turns. Expecto has a huge personality. He's really a fun horse!"
Matthies will head to their hometown next for The Horse Shows by the Bay Series.
Thatcher continued her winning streak into the Large Junior Hunters, taking home the tricolor in the A Section on the 10-year-old gray, Summer Place. The pair won four out of the five classes in the division including the under saddle. Thatcher also won the $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic with the top scores of 85 and 82.
Reserve champion in the A Section went to Nicole Loochtan of Hawthorn Woods, IL, and Dream On, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding.
Champion in the B Section of the Large Junior Hunters went to Gia Gulino and Cappello, who won both over fences classes in the section today. Trainer Tina Judge, of Oswego, IL, showed the horse in the First Year Green Hunters earlier in the week.
Gia Gulino and Capello were Champion in the Large Junior Hunters in section B.Gulino is 15 and just finished freshman year, but she does online school. Her goal is to qualify for the ASPCA Maclay Medal Regionals this year. Gulino just got Capello on Christmas Day.
"We drove out to the barn Christmas morning and there he was," said Gulino. "I thought he was coming after Christmas some time. His stall was decorated for Christmas and he had a bow!"
"I love that he is never spooky," Gulino continued. "He came from Holland and just turned 6 years old. He's slow off the ground and gets down the lines super easy. It's fun to bring him along. He is the sweetest horse ever."
Judge added, "I started him in February in the Baby Greens and just moved him up to 3'6" in April. This is his third show at the 3'6" height."
Reserve champion in Section B went to Elizabeth Adelson and Bull Run's Rubicon, a 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding owned by Four Fillies, LLC of Tulsa, OK.
Competition continues tomorrow with the Amateur-Owner Hunters and the $30,000 Barrington Saddlery Grand Prix, to end Showplace Productions' Spring Spectacular I.
For more information on the Showplace Spring Spectacular Series please visit:
www.showplaceproductions.com.
Showplace Productions' Spring Spectacular is bigger and better than ever. Showplace has added another week to its popular Spring Spectacular event from June 17-22. This new week will allow competitors to attend their regular summer circuits and have a taste of what Showplace and Chicago have to offer on a week when they might be off or traveling. Showplace Productions has added new classes and over-the-top hospitality to make your showing experience even more enjoyable at beautiful Lamplight Equestrian Center.
During Week III, Showplace Productions will hold a USHJA $10,000 National Hunter Derby and a USHJA $25,000 International Hunter Derby in the Grand Prix Ring, plus compete to earn WCHR points. More prize monies have been added to the Open Jumpers, Welcomes and Junior/Amateurs Owners. A new and exciting Accumulator class has been added to the Junior/Amateur Owner division. For professionals, Showplace is offering the opportunity to show young jumpers in some classes at no cost. There will also be some no cost Tuesday schooling opportunities for the pros. For Juniors, an all-new Equitation Championship will be held on Sunday of Week III. Juniors will be asked to demonstrate their horsemanship skills without the help of their trainers in this challenging class. There is something for everyone and a good reason to make your way back to Chicago for Spring Spectacular.
