Cudmore Clinches Second Consecutive Grand Prix Win With Southern Pride in $60,000 Horseware® Ireland Grand Prix

Karen Cudmore and Southern Pride
Karen Cudmore and Southern Pride

Parker, CO – July 5, 2017 – Week four of the Summer In The Rockies Series (SIR) concluded at The Colorado Horse Park (CHP) on Sunday, July 2, after a week of top hunter, jumper, and equitation competition. Karen Cudmore of Omaha, NE, and Southern Pride, achieved their second major win of the 2017 SIR circuit, after clinching the $60,000 Horseware® Ireland Grand Prix on Saturday, July 1, which featured a competitive line-up and a well-executed jump track.

Cudmore and the 19-year-old Holsteiner stallion (South Pacific x Blanka) owned by Blair Cudmore, bested the class after a speedy jump-off round, stopping the timers at 43.029 seconds. Second place was awarded to Michelle Parker of San Marcos, CA, and Doriena, owned by Idyllic Imports, after an impressive first round, followed by a jump-off time of 44.077 seconds. Parker also grasped the third-place spot with Cupilor, owned by Cross Creek Farms, Inc., after a quick jump-off time of 40.381 seconds, and four faults that kept the pair out of first place.

Michelle Parker and Doriena
Michelle Parker and Doriena

Cudmore commented, “This was the only class I did with Southern this week. In the first round, he felt good, crisp and sharp. It was a really suitable jump-off for him, and I kind of went crazy on the last line thinking that I may not leave out the stride, but he got down there easy enough. He jumped just as good in the second round as he did the first.”

Michelle Parker and Cupilor
Michelle Parker and Cupilor

The pair is having a successful summer circuit, as they also won the SIR III $50,000 FarmVet Grand Prix last week. The duo has been partnered together for majority of Southern Pride’s career and Cudmore is tactful about when and where she competes the impressive stallion.

“I’m super proud of him,” Cudmore continued. “I thought the course designer did a great job, it was a fun track and he got the right numbers for how many people were competing. It was just a fantastic class tonight.”

Karen Cudmore and Southern Pride in their presentation ceremony with Marion Maybank; SIR Show Manager, and Meg Krueger; COO of The Colorado Horse Park.
Karen Cudmore and Southern Pride in their presentation ceremony with Marion Maybank; SIR Show Manager, and Meg Krueger; COO of The Colorado Horse Park.

Cudmore and Southern Pride have performed consistently and impressively in their stay so far at CHP. Cudmore noted their success so far this season and her love for the venue. She said, “He’s always loved coming to Colorado. He thrives with the laid back atmosphere and we really love the venue. This year the footing has been great, the people have been great, and we are so grateful to be here.”

Michelle Parker and Cupilor set the bar high earlier in the week, galloping to a win in the $20,000 Wild Horse Wines Welcome Stake on Thursday June 29. The duo completed the jump-off in 37.246 seconds to secure victory. Following in second place with a time of 39.287 seconds was Matt Cyphert of Northlake, TX, piloting Hannah Donald’s Hector. Brooke Cudomore of Omaha, NE, rode Igor, owned by Blair Cudmore, to third place with a jump-off time of 40.628 seconds.

Michelle Parker and Cupilor
Michelle Parker and Cupilor

“He jumped great today,” said Parker, “It was a nice course with a big enough track. It is my first week here, and I was impressed with it. He’s naturally a quick horse and he was really into it today. He was a little flat, but he was fast and he was extra speedy today. I turned a little sharp to the last jump, and I think that’s where we made up some time.”

Parker has had the ride on Cupilor, a 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Lupicor x Libre) owned by Cross Creek Farms, Inc., since he was just four, and has brought the gelding along for his entire jumping career.

Michelle Parker and Cupilor in their presentation ceremony with Marion Maybank; SIR Show Manager, and Sarah Tredennick of The Colorado Horse Park.
Michelle Parker and Cupilor in their presentation ceremony with Marion Maybank; SIR Show Manager, and Sarah Tredennick of The Colorado Horse Park.

“He’s always been very competitive,” she continued. “He wins a lot, and I’m excited that he’s one that I get to keep and continue on with. He’s a 1.50m grand prix horse, so I’d like to just keep plugging away at that. He’s been very consistent in California so we wanted to come out here and switch it up a bit!”

Jumper Highlights

The $5,000 CHP Jumper Derby saw Stephanie Gershon of Lamy, NM, and Aretina, owned by Lisa Piasecki take first place with a time of 74.214 seconds. Second place honors were awarded to Michael Tokaruk of Germantown, TN, aboard Emily Reiney’s Mathilda with a time of 75.842 seconds, while third place was secured by Brooke Cudmore of Omaha, NE, and Southern Rose, owned by Blair Cudmore with a time of 77.84 seconds.

The $2,000 Holiday Parker Inn Low Children’s Jumper Classic was won by Lauren McCaulley of Medina, MN, and her own Will O’ Wisp, completing the jump-off in 35.70 seconds. Emery Volkert of Denver, CO, slid into second place after the jump-off with a time of 39.679 seconds, aboard All Inclusive, owned by Abigail Grace Kelley. Third place was awarded to Callie Matteson of Colorado Springs, CO, and her own Occra, after adding four faults to their jump-off time of 40.572 seconds.

Stephanie Gershon and Aretina
Stephanie Gershon and Aretina

Kaytlin Ryan of Centennial, CO, won the $2,000 Holiday Inn Parker Low Adult Jumper Classic aboard her own Aconito, after stopping the jump-off timers at 37.897 seconds. Second place was earned by Katie Hess of Omaha, NE, aboard her own Santeria, finishing with a jump-off time of 41.853 seconds. Kathy Kramer of Littleton, CO, took third place with Calligraphy, owned by Peyton Wyatt, on a jump-off time of 39.912 seconds, also adding four faults to their score.

The $2,000 Front Range Kubota Modified Child/Adult Jumper Classic awarded first place to Alyson Ranucci of Centennial, CO, and her own Amos We, after completing the jump-off in 39.83 seconds. Carly Kurschinski of Golden, CO, rode her own S-Indiana Jones to second place with a jump-off time of 40.524 seconds. Third place was captured by Gianna Lanteri of Windsor, CO, and her own Cayenne, finishing the jump-off in 43.289 seconds.

The $4,000 Voltaire Designs Modified Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic was won by Jackie Smith Hassey of Phoenix, AZ, aboard Cassino, owned by Armando Hassey, with a jump-off time of 39.22 seconds. Second place saw Hannah Newton of Houston, TX, riding Andrew Kocher’s One Janice, complete the jump-off in 41.604 seconds to finish in the top two. Third place went to Tami Sopinski of Sioux Falls, SD, aboard her own Carlos, after a jump-off round that stopped the timers in 42.078 seconds.

Stephany McConnell and Leon D'Or
Stephany McConnell and Leon D’Or

The $4,00 Osphos® NAL/WIHS Child/Adult Jumper Classic was won by Katie Glass of Louisville, CO, riding her own Emerald De Lux. The pair completed the jump-off track in 41.098 seconds to secure the win. Second place was awarded to Nicole Davis of Erie, CO, and First Romance, owned by Jill Pelzel, with a jump-off time of 44.558 seconds. Roman Mezger of Greenwood Village, CO, placed third with an initial time of 71.981 seconds, adding four faults to their finals score.

The $5,000 Ariat® NAL Low Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic was won by Stephany McConnell of Littleton, CO, and Leon D’Or, owned by, James McConnell, with a jump-off time of 41.857 seconds. Second place was awarded to Sienna Partipilo of Chicago, IL, and her own Alanda, after finishing the jump-off in 42.272 seconds. Rounding out the third place position was Amanda Seale of New Orleans, LA, and VDL Endorado Royal K, owned by Seale Horses, LLC, who completed the short course in 44.245 seconds.

The $5,000 Medium Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic saw a winning jump-off time of 36.191 seconds from Hannah Newton of Houston, TX, riding her own Athena. Tali Dejong of Golden, CO, and her own D Adermie R8 captured second place with a jump-off time of 37.919 seconds ahead of Sarah Meyer of San Antonio, TX, and Cardentos J.W.B, owned by Don Meyer, who completed the track in 38.659 seconds.

Sydney Hutchins of Westlake Village, CA, and her own Zorlando won the $10,000 Griffis Residential High Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic with a jump-off time of 44.76 seconds. Erika Moore of Peoria, AZ, captured second place aboard Brady Barr Z, owned by Moore Acres, LLC, completing the jump-off in 46.144 seconds with eight faults. Third place was awarded to Brandon Howard of Flower Mound, TX, and HF Costa Rica, owned by Homeward Farms, with an initial time of 82.42 seconds and four faults.

Hunter Highlights

The $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby saw a victory for Michael Tokaruk of Germantown, TN, aboard Major, owned by Sleepy P Ranch LLC, earning an initial score of 85 in the first round and finishing with a final score of 177.

“This was Major’s first hunter derby,” said Tokaruk. “He was doing the jumpers before he came to me and I decided that he could make a nice derby horse. In preparation, I had some kids riding him in the equitation classes. For his first time in the derby ring, he was spectacular.”

Michael Tokaruk and Major
Michael Tokaruk and Major

After a solid second round, the pair bested the class of 29 entries, which saw Kelli Cruciotti of Elizabeth, CO, place second with Darius, owned by Serenity Farm, on a final score of 174.5. Third place was awarded to Kelly Lorek of Manchaca, TX, and Leroy Brown, owned by Annabelle Regan, with a total score of 173.5.

Tokaruk continued, “I loved the course. I thought that it could really just let the horse just flow in the canter. My horse is very elegant across the ground, so I think that hopefully caught the judges eye. He also really jumps over the oxer and tries really hard. He’s used to jumping the 1.45m, so it’s a skill he has to learn, just go a little slower and jump a little lower. He’s an overachiever, and even though the jumps weren’t that high, he really exploded over them and gave it his all.”

Michael Tokaruk and Major in their presentation ceremony.
Michael Tokaruk and Major in their presentation ceremony.

The $1,500 Pony Hunter Derby was won by Ashley Schneider of Austin, TX, and her own Midnight Shimmer, with a total score of 157. Second place went to Dominic Gibbs of Colorado Springs, CO, riding her own Aurelia to a score of 153. Third place was captured by Oleana Jacobson of Aspen, CO, and her own Kool Kola, with a final score of 142 after the second round.

Olivia Harman of Parker, CO, was the champion of the Short/Long/Rusty Stirrup Hunter Classic, riding Eddie Rascal, owned by Beckie Harman. Berkley Crouse of Durango, CO, and her own Just Larry were presented with second place, while Stacy Stephens of Denver, CO, and her own Limitless rounded out the top three.

The $1,000 Marshall and Sterling NAL/ WIHS Children’s Hunter Classic saw a win for Cindy Quinn of Woodland, MN, and her own Casual Attire. Second place went to Erin Christiansen of Durango, CO, piloting her own Man On The Moon. Third place was awarded to Peyton Rathbun of Austin, TX, and MTM Movado, owned by MTM Farm.

Ashley Schneider and Midnight Shimmer
Ashley Schneider and Midnight Shimmer

Caroline Molther of Parker, CO, captured the victory in the $1,000 Marshall and Sterling NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic on her own Weimar. Abigail Friedman of San Francisco, CA, took the second-place finish aboard Gavroche, owned by Summerhouse Farm, LLC. Third place went to Kathy McCuskey of Wayzata, MN, and her own Indigo Girl.

The Pre-Children’s Hunter Classic awarded first place to Mackenzie Barton of Kapaa, HI, and The Beat Goes On, owned by Olivia Contillo. Isabelle Jayne Galvan of Austin, TX, took second place, piloting MTM Mascot, owned by Galvan.

Christina Green of Denver, CO, was the champion of the Pre-Adult Hunter Classic aboard her own Alvin, while the Modified Children’s Hunter Classic saw the blue ribbon go to Ashley Schneider of Austin, TX, riding Jillian Christman’s MTM Bali.

The $1,000 CWD Junior Hunter 3’3″/3’6″ Classic saw Taylor Valencia of Parker, CO, and her own Only Mischief ride to victory in the class ahead of Abigail Albrecht of Austin, TX, who captured second and third place aboard MTM Flash Dance and MTM Nameworthy respectively.

Kelly Lorek of Manchaca, TX, won the $1,000 Green Hunter 3’/3’3″ Classic, with MTM Movado, owned by MTM Farm. Second place went to Karen Catov-Goodell of Colorado Springs, CO, and Perseus YC, owned by Erin Gibbs. Third place was also awarded to Kelly Lorek, this time aboard MTM Bali, owned by Jillian Christman.

The 2017 Summer In The Rockies Series will resume on Wednesday, July 5, with the start of the fifth consecutive week of competition. For more information on The Colorado Horse Park, please visit www.coloradohorsepark.com.

Edited press release: Kim Beaudoin for CHP
Photos: ©Alison Hartwell

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