Caitlin Boyle won the Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Final pictured with sponsors and trainers, Jodi and Freddie Vazquez

Wayne, IL - September 13, 2014 - Patrick Boyle and the Showplace Fall Classic Championship Horse Show hosted the Midwest Marshall & Sterling Medal Finals in the LUXMAX USA Grand Prix ring today. Riders who have qualified throughout the season competed for the Midwest Medal titles in their respective divisions. The ring was filled with beautiful sponsor jumps and decorated with an abundance of fall flowers for riders to test their skills in hopes of earning the blue. Messenger Hill Farm and Freddie and Jodi Vazquez sponsored the afternoon of medal competition.

"Showplace Productions, and obviously Pat (Boyle), really wants to make it about the exhibitor," said sponsor Jodi Vazquez. "He wants to make the horse shows competitive but also have good footing, good jumps and great prize money to get people to come back. We want to give back because he supports us and he supports our business. Chicago has a lot of barns and horses in the area. It's nice for people to be able to show in their backyard at a show of this level of quality."

The afternoon began with the Farnam Adult Medal Finals. After each rider had their chance at the medal course the top four riders were called in for additional testing. Leading after the first round was Nicki LaChapelle of Barrington Hills, IL who is no stranger to top equitation ribbons from her junior years. Following LaChapelle was Jennifer Walter, Kathleen Bruce and Stephanie Renguso. In the test, riders had to canter two jumps, halt, trot a jump, canter the in and out and return to line at the trot. Each finalist was able to hold their spot in the pinning order with LaChapelle holding her spot at the top.  

Nicki LaChapelle won the Farnam Adult Medal Final pictured with Jodi Vazquez presenting and trainer Kim Gardiner.

"I haven't ridden for a couple of weeks because I've been at school," said LaChapelle, 19, who is attending college at Indiana University to study marketing. "My trainer, Kim Gardiner, made sure my horse was ready for me and she encouraged me to come back for the finals."

LaChapelle rode her horse Perfect Landing, also known as Pilot, for the finals. She has had him since he was eight years old and now at thirteen, they are perfect partners with another medal final under their belt.

Next to go was the Sore No More Children's Medal Finals. Once again riders jumped a track similar to the Grand Prix earlier in the day demonstrating their skills to the judges. The top four were called into the middle of the ring for further testing. Celia Bresch was in the top spot after the first round followed by Hailey Johns, Andria Talavera and Sarah Lanphere. Their test also included a trot jump with four canter jumps plus the in and out and returning to line at the walk. A few minor errors in the test rearranged the final order slightly but still leaving Celia Bresch, 13, at the top.

"I was nervous being called in on top but I was glad I got to watch everyone else go," said Bresch.  

Celia Bresch won the Sore No More Children's Medal Final pictured with Freddie Vazquez presenting and trainer Kim Gardiner.

The young rider trains with Kim Gardiner at Perfecta Farm in Streamwood, IL. She rode Bombardier, whom she leases from John Pappas.

"He's taught me so much," said Bresch of her winning mount. The pair will compete in the Illinois Hunter Jumper Association (IHJA) Children's medal tomorrow, as well.

The final medal of the day was the Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Finals. Sixteen riders took on the challenge of the Grand Prix ring and the course designer's test of the rider's abilities. The setting sun cast some shadows around the course, which added a challenge for some.

Scoring the highest score of the day with an 88 was Caitlin Boyle of Hampshire, IL. Boyle made some accurate and difficult inside turns bringing her to the high score. Meredith Wegbreit followed with an 83, then Rebecca Kozma and Louisa Brackett rounded out the final four. Their test proved to be the toughest of them all.  

Caitlin Boyle heads to the Maclay Regionals in Kentucky.

The group was asked to walk out of line, counter canter fence three, which was an oxer away from the gate, roll back and trot fence 5 which was a vertical toward the gate, show an extended canter to a jump at the far end of the ring, to another canter jump, halt, canter the in and out and return to line at the halt. A few errors in the counter canter and some late halts adjusted the final order but Boyle maintained the lead for the win. Louisa Bracket moved up to second from fourth, Meredith Wegbreit dropped down to third and Rebecca Kozma slipped into fourth.

"I liked the course today because it allowed for some inside turns that I took advantage of to practice for indoors," said Boyle. "I'm really thinking about working on getting the simple tasks done and polishing my style while making sure my horse is waiting for me and listening instead of taking over."

Boyle, 17, is qualified for the USEF Talent Search Medal Finals, the Pessoa/USEF Medal Finals and the ASPCA Maclay Finals. She and her long time mount Loredo, head to Kentucky for the Maclay Regional Finals next week. Boyle has had a successful season in the equitation ring including winning the RW Mutch Equitation Trophy at the Devon Horse Show for excellence in equitation. She will also ride in the IHJA Junior Medal Final tomorrow.

Finishing off the Junior Hunters today, Borencio and Jordan Marmul won the $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic and were Champions in section A. Reserve Champion in section A was Sangria Sky and Keely Bieniak. Champion in section B was CR Moet and Kira Telford with Roc Paper Scissors and Paige Matthies in reserve.

Winner of the $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic and Champion in the division was Borencio and Jordan Marmul. Photo: Andrew Ryback.

Other big winners today were Cracker Jack and Callie Kennedy who won the $1,000 NAL Children's Hunter Classic, sponsored by Littlewood Farm.

Cracker Jack and Callie Kennedy won the $1,000 NAL Children's Hunter Classic. Photo by Andrew Ryback

The winner of the Short Stirrup Classic, sponsored by Barrington Saddlery, was Bucceal Eire and rider Seton O'Scannlain.  

Winner of the Short Stirrup Hunter Classic was Bucceal Eire and rider Seton O'Scannlain. Photo by Andrew Ryback.

Shimmer, owned by Lanes End and ridden by Chloe Jhin won the Children's Pony Classic. Photo by Andrew Ryback

The Children's Pony Hunter Classic winner was Shimmer, owned by Lanes End and ridden by Chloe Jhin.

A special feature of the Showplace Fall Classic Championship is all of Saturday and Sunday's events can be viewed via live stream. For computers and tablets, go to http://starcreekvideo.bluezonepc.com. For mobile devices;http://new.livestream.com/accounts/4259558/events/3384036.

Sunday's events feature the IHJA medal finals in the LUXMAX Grand Prix ring generously sponsored by Barrington Saddlery.

For more information on Showplace Productions, please visitwww.showplaceproductions.com.

Farnam Adult Medal Finals

Sore No More Children's Medal Final 

Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Finals