Mettawa, IL - January 9, 2017 – Calido’s Son, owned by Mimi Rothman of Glencoe, Illinois, and ridden by trainer Doug Boyd, earned the coveted USEF National Championship in the 3’6” Performance Hunters for 2016 among numerous other accolades during their first year as a team. The docile, dark bay, Holsteiner jumped his way through the season with an impressive consistency in the Performance Hunters and USHJA National Hunter Derbies at shows across the country.
 
It all began at a show at Maffit Lake, where Boyd saw the handsome gelding in a derby with a junior rider of Heidi Hildebrand’s. Boyd thought it would be a great horse for his amateur rider, Rothman, and after a little work, acquired the new mount. While Rothman was still working on her riding skills, Boyd got the show ride so they could learn more about the horse before his new owner took to the ring. (Inset Photo Andrew Ryback Photography)
 
Boyd contributes his success on Calido’s Son, as well of the rest of his horses, to a consistent program customized for each horse. Once he finds the secret recipe for making each horse perform their best, Boyd sticks to it like clockwork resulting in top results time after time.
 
“He’s the smartest horse I’ve ever known,” said Boyd. “He’s the whole package, beautiful, good mover, great jumper and uncomplicated. It’s been a fantastic season - he’s a once in a lifetime horse.”
 
In addition to the USEF National Championship in the 3’6” Performance Hunters, Calido’s Son earned more awards in the division including;
the Zone 5 Championship,
Illinois Hunter Jumper Association (IHJA) Championship,
IHJA Grand Hunter Championship,
HITS Ocala Circuit Championship,
and the HITS Ocala Grand Circuit Championship.
 
The small 15.2 7/8 hand gelding, sired by Calido I, brought home 15 Championships in the division and 62 blue ribbons during the season. But the little horse didn’t stop there. He also was a huge success in the USHJA National Hunter Derbies, earning Rothman the prestigious Championship in the USHJA National National Hunter Derbies
 and standing second in the lifetime earnings list with over $20,000. Calido’s Son also took the Zone 5 Championship in the National Hunter Derbies. Some of his derby wins with Boyd include, The Kentucky National, the Chicago Hunter Derby, Showplace Spring Spectacular and Showplace Fall.  (Inset Photo Andrew Ryback Photography)


“He’s (Calido’s Son) just simple and straightforward,” added Boyd. “He’s a real competitor and so smart. Thank You Heidi Hildebrand and Round-A-Bout Farm, for this amazing animal!”
 
For the 2017 season, Rothman will step into the irons some along with Sapphire Riding Academy’s working student, Sydnie Ziegler, who will get to show the champion in the Small Junior Hunter Division. His large derby stride will be a bonus in the junior hunter ring.
 
“We’ll also show him in some of the derbies too so he doesn’t get bored,” said Boyd. “We like to keep him interested.”

 
Calido's Son earned the championship in the USHJA National Hunter Derbies with Doug Boyd aboard. Photo Chicago Equestrian.

Boyd and the Sapphire Riding Academy group will head to Ocala, Florida to spend some time showing there. Assistant trainer, Ashley March, is recovering from an undiagnosed virus after a holiday trip to Mexico, so they are hoping she is back on her feet soon to run the farm in their absence.
 
Sapphire Riding Academy would like to congratulate all of their riders and owners on a fantastic 2016 show season and look forward to 2017.
 
For more information on Sapphire Riding Academy, visit their website at www.sapphireridingacademy.com.

(inset photo Shawn McMillen)