Temecula, Calif. – Nov. 16, 2020 – Thirty of the West Coast’s top equitation riders descended upon the Grand Prix Arena at Galway Downs on Friday, November 13, during Week I of the Temecula Valley National Fall Series for a chance to win the 2020 CPHA Foundation West Coast Equestrians (WCE) Medal Finals. After three intense rounds of competition, it was Brooke Morin and Kathryn Fletcher’s eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Bournedale, who topped the pack to claim the coveted championship title.
Originally slated to be held at the Las Vegas National Horse Show, which was canceled due to Covid-19, the prestigious West Coast finals was moved to Nilforushan Equisport Event’s inaugural National Fall Series held at Galway Downs. The NEE team implemented strict COVID-19 guidelines for the safety of the competitors, staff, and spectators and managed to host an incredibly exciting and safe event despite the circumstances.
Competition kicked off on Friday, November 13, in the Grand Prix arena at Galway Downs. Morin and Bournedale laid down a tidy first-round track securing the top spot going into Saturday morning’s second round. They were trailed closely by Skylar Wireman and Haven Farms’ 22-year-old Royal Dutch Warmblood gelding, Hot Pants, followed by Charlotte Murray and Georgy Maskrey-Segesman’s ten-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Constantinos.
The riders returned for the second phase of the finals early on Saturday, November 14, with the top 10 scoring riders advancing to the third and final round later on in the day. Morin managed to defend her top spot on the leaderboard heading into the third round with two high scores under her belt. Devyn Stringfellow and Pam Stewart’s fourteen-year-old German Sport Horse gelding, Citadel, sat in second place while Madison Nadolenco, who rode Morgan Dickerson’s thirteen-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Cala D’or 3, was positioned in third.
In the final phase, judges Cynthia Hankins and Chance Arakelian pushed the riders to expertly navigate the most difficult track of the weekend asking the riders to take more forward-distances and optional inside turns. Clea Caddell was the first of the top three to enter the ring. She moved up the ranks with her tidy round aboard Spyglass Hill’s 13-year-old Warmblood gelding, Cavaljo, to finish out the weekend. Charlotte Murray followed close behind, and managed to edge out Caddell for second place aboard her newfound partner, Constantinos. But, it was the final ride of the day by Brooke Morin that captured the win. The Laguna Beach based rider’s effortless, yet methodical riding payed off as she managed to hang onto her top podium position earning herself the blue ribbon.
The newly matched pair first partnered early this year in January and have had a successful season competing on the West-Coast circuit holding top rankings in several prestigious equitation divisions. Though this is Morin’s first CPHA Foundation WCE Medal Finals Championship, she is no stranger to the podium. She is ranked in the WIHS equitation West Division and has had a successful junior career thus far placing in previous CPHA Junior Medal Finals and earning the overall winner of CPHA Foundation Equitation Championship Final.
Nilforushan Equisport Events would like to thank Kask, CWD Sellier, Tack of the Town, Equusport, Equifit, Outdoor Outfitters, Damoors, Pony Suds, Train with Shelby, and Captured Moment Photography for donating incredible prizes.
RESULTS
Place / Horse / Rider
CPHA Foundation WCE Medal Finals
- Bournedale / Brooke Morin
- Constantinos / Charlotte Murray
- Cavaljo / Clea Caddell
- Hot Pants / Skylar Wireman
- Carrico Sun / Bella Primavera
- Citadel / Devyn Stringfellow
- Gentle / Lexie Looker
- Howie Doin’ / Sydney Silverman
- Cala D’or 3 / Madison Nadolenco
- Davincy V/D E / Ella Dyson
Check out Brooke Morin’s full interview: