Adamus and Leslie Wright Blaze to the Win in the $30,000 Grand Prix of Silicon Valley

Leslie Wright and Adamus. Photo: Grand Pix Photography
Leslie Wright and Adamus. Photo: Grand Pix Photography

Redwood City, Calif. – Sept. 1, 2018 – Silicon Valley lit up on Saturday evening, with incredibly fast and competitive horses and riders competing for the champion title in the $30,000 Grand Prix of Silicon Valley at The Horse Park at Woodside. Twenty-five entries came through the in-gate and took their best shot at the 15-effort first round course designed by Scott Starnes, and nine went clear to proceed to the exciting jump off. When the smoke cleared, Leslie Wright and Adamus emerged victorious with a smooth, efficient ride.

“I knew I just had to be super smooth, and not crazy, so I really focused my turns in the beginning, and then I was able to open up a little bit,” said Leslie Wright. It was an especially sweet victory for the 12-year-old bay Warmblood gelding, owned by Pinnacle Equine Group Ltd, because he is just returning from an injury.

Leslie Wright, Adamus, and their team. Photo: Grand Pix Photography
Leslie Wright, Adamus, and their team. Photo: Grand Pix Photography

“Adam is just awesome,” said Wright of Adamus. “He was hurt all of last year, and he’s come back this year stronger than he went away. So he’s just come back better than ever.”

Harley Brown rode Katherine Anne Brewer’s Mylord Cornet to a second place finish, and Emma Catherine Reichow took third place aboard her own Apex. Both turned in impressive double clear rounds to earn their places on the podium.

RESULTS

$30,000 Grand Prix of Silicon Valley
Place / Horse / Rider / R1 Faults | Time / R2 Faults | Time
1. Adamus / Leslie Wright / 0 | 81.046 / 0 | 37.751
2. Mylord Cornet / Harley Brown / 0 | 79.172 / 0 | 40.201
3. Apex / Emma Catherine Reichow / 0 | 80.070 / 0 | 41.800
4. Osophia / Kevin Winkel / 0 | 78.075 / 4 | 35.767
5. Pebbles / Jenny Williams /0 | 78.989 / 4 | 37.712
6. Karo / Leslie Wright / 0 | 81.471 / 4 | 38.84
7. Tuxedo / Kevin Winkel / 0 | 81.316 / 4 | 39.171
8. Cubiki / Emma Catherine Reichow / 0 | 78.893 / 4 | 41.668
9. Edelmann / Matias Fernandez / 0 | 80.502 / 16 | 42.989
10. Kangano / Katherine Anne Brewer / 1| 82.207
11. Everclear / Jenny Williams / 4 | 75.388
12. Stratos / Alessandra Volpi / 4 | 77.926

Marina Metzger and Highlander Take the Blue in $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Marina Metzer and Highlander. Photo: Grand Pix Photography
Marina Metzer and Highlander. Photo: Grand Pix Photography

Twenty-two horse and rider combinations took to the Grand Hunter Arena on Friday afternoon to compete in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. After a competitive classic round, the top twelve scorers came back for the handy round, and it was Highlander, ridden by Marisa Metzger and owned by Steele Yard LLC, who earned the judges highest marks.

“He gives you the most amazing feeling,” said Marina Metzger of the 7-year-old chestnut Zangersheide gelding. “He’s one of those horses who is very careful and aware of where he is. He’s scopey, he’s got a great expression, and he can just be brilliant. He’s everything you could ask for.” Metzger is a professional who rides with Jeanne Scalise at Avalon Hunter/Jumpers in Woodside, California.

Marina Metzer and Highlander. Photo: Grand Pix Photography
Marina Metzer and Highlander. Photo: Grand Pix Photography

Rider Dakoda Mower took both second and third place riding Emma Eschenbach’s Don Pedro to the reserve championship, and Mackenzie Eschenbach’s Campeche Z to third place.

RESULTS

$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
Place / Horse / Rider / Total Score
1. Highlander / Marisa Metzger / 184
2. Don Pedro / Dakoda Mower / 172
3. Campeche Z / Dakoda Mower / 169
4. Camera Ready / Stephen Pellett / 167
5. Carpaccio Z / Gary Striker / 166
6. Cadillac / Stephen Pellett / 160
7. Castiello / Jenifer Paris / 154
8. Altuss / Gary Striker / 144
9. Pop Style / Shannon Wilson / 142
10. Star Attraction / Gabriella Matteucci / 139
11. Remniscient / Jessica Allan / 122
12. Pikasso / Ally Dickson / 107

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