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Wayne, IL – September 16, 2012 – Showplace Productions hosted the Marshall and Sterling League Midwest Championships at Lamplight Equestrian Center during their Showplace Fall Classic Championship Horse Show. Fabulous weather only topped the great footing, beautiful jumps, unique courses and spectacular award presentations.
The $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Children’s/Adult Jumper Championships started off the weekend in the Grand Prix Ring. Course designer, Hector Loyola, challenged riders with a series of combinations and rollbacks. Topping the field of 25 riders was Emily Sheveland aboard Lyla with the fastest time and no jumping faults. Giavanna Rinaldi and Juliette finished in a close second.
Pictured left: Emily Sheveland aboard Lyla, winners of the Marshall & Sterling Children's Adult Jumper Championship.
Then on to an afternoon of Marshall & Sterling Medal Finals sponsored by Messenger Hill Farm – Freddie and Jodie Vasquez. First the adults navigated the course, which encompassed the entire Grand Prix ring with an abundance of trees, ferns and flowers. After the initial round, the top riders were called back to test. It was Barbi Norris trained by Melissa Hirt of Michigan, who earned the top spot in the Marshall & Sterling Adult Medal Finals.
Right: Barbi Norris winning the Marshall & Sterling Adult
Medal Finals with trainer Melissa Hirt and sponsors,
Messenger Hill Farm.
Emily Kabeshita, of St. Charles, IL captured the Marshall & Sterling Children’s Medal Finals. The victory was even sweeter for Kabeshita because she catch rode Endeavor to win the class.
“I got to ride him 10 minutes before the class,” Kabeshita said.
“She (Kabeshita) is such a good student in school and on a horse,” trainer Kim Gardiner added. Kabeshita is a junior at St. Charles North and ranks at the top of her class. The team prepared for the class by staying calm and collected. When they called in the top riders to test, Kabeshita said, “I didn't know if I deserved to be in there. I felt good and confident in the test though.” The last minute plan paid off for the team.
Left: Emily Kabeshita winning the Marshall & Sterling Children's Medal Finals. Pictured with Messenger Hill Sponsors - Katie Kappler, Jodi & Freddie Vasquez and trainer Kim Gardiner.
With a quick course adjustment it was on to the Marshall & Sterling Central Equine Junior Medal Finals. Again the course designer enabled riders to show off their skills with turns and combinations. The sun setting behind the trees created the challenge of shadows, which forced riders to show their talent in handling their horses’ reactions. The top four, Taylor Sutton, Nicki LaChapelle, Sydney Schaefer and Caitlin Boyle, were asked to test demonstrating a hand gallop, some turns, a combination and a trot jump. Caitlin Boyle held the top spot for the win, with Sydney Schaefer moving up to take second.
Boyle has been showing for 9 years and is 15 years old. She is leasing her horse Laredo, or Larry, for this summer.
 “I liked the course,” Boyle said. “It had lots of options. My horse has a large stride which allowed me to leave out strides if I needed.”
Knowing that she was coming back in first place for the test and being able to watch everyone else test, allowed her to her think about what to do. She doesn't get nervous about being in the ring or by the pressure of the test.
Caitlin Boyle with trainers Mara Kranz and Kim Gardiner.
“I focused on what was best for my horse,” added Boyle. For next season, she is preparing to be more physical and a stronger rider. She wants to focus on being more accurate and wants to keep her focus on the fundemental elements of riding.
“Its important not to forget the simple things that will make or break it,” Boyle stated with a smile.
Over in the pony ring, pony riders had their chance at the title in the Marshall & Sterling Pony Medal Finals. After completing the course, riders were asked to test on the flat. The judge put them through the equitation drills including riding without stirrups. Taking the top spot was Louisa Brackett, an 8th grader from Grayslake, IL. It was a bitter sweet win for Brackett since this was her last horse show on her pony, Somebody Loves Me. With teary eyes, Brackett explained she will be moving into the Junior Hunter Division and is still looking for a horse. Her goal for the year was to win a cooler for Bunny, which she did. “I had lots of strenuous lessons, rode a lot of different horses, worked on finding distances, no stirrup work and just working hard to prepare for this year,” Brackett added.
Pictured right: Louisa Brackett, winner of the Marshall & Sterling Pony Medal.
Finishing up in the hunter ring, Meg Gehron of Chicago and Talon won the $1,000 Marshall & Sterling Adult Hunter Championship and 14 year old Kelsey Cerkleski, with her Hanoverian gelding, Sent From Heaven took the tricolor in the $1,000 Children’s Hunter Championship.
 
Pictured Left: Meg Gehron and Talon,
winning the Marshall & Sterling Adult Hunter
Championship with trainers Freddie
and Jodi Vasquez.
Pictured Right: Kelsey Cerkleski and
Sent From Heaven winning the
Marshall & Sterling Children's Hunter
Championship with trainer
Dan Jayne.
About Marshall & Sterling League
The Marshall & Sterling League was designed to enhance the level of competition for children and adult riders, with an opportunity to qualify for a prestigious National Finals competition. Now celebrating their 22nd year, the Marshall & Sterling League features 14 divisions of competition. Riders who are members of the League had the opportunity to earn points throughout the year by competing in Marshall & Sterling classes in order to qualify for the Marshall & Sterling League Finals.
The Marshall & Sterling League is proudly sponsored by Marshall & Sterling Insurance, Inc. Marshall & Sterling Insurance, Inc., founded in 1864, is among the largest privately owned insurance agencies in the United States. For more than a quarter century, Marshall & Sterling has protected precious equine assets with unparalleled service and support, whether the family hunter, a champion racehorse or a commercial farm. An employee-owned company, Marshall & Sterling is recognized throughout the nation as a leader in providing exceptional service and support. The company maintains a national presence and is licensed in all 50 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information contact Joe Norick at 800-333-3766, extension 270 or 805-338-0099, or Margaret Barese at 800-836-3046, extension 288.
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