Parker, Colo. – June 26, 2018 – The third week of the Summer in the Rockies Series (SIR) of competition at the Colorado Horse Park (CHP) concluded on Sunday, June 24, after a week of top hunter, jumper and equitation competition at the venue. The seven-week series is the largest of its kind in the region and draws competitors traveling from states spanning the nation. The $35,000 FarmVet Grand Prix on Saturday, June 23 saw twenty-two entries compete in the International Arena while the Berm Pavilion and lawn seating easily accommodated a spectator crowd nearing 1,600 people. In an unusual occurrence, the Grand Prix winner was determined in the first round with the only clear ride of the evening secured by Gianni Gabrielli and Cashmir Z.
A first-round time of 78.379 seconds secured Gabrielli and Cashmir Z’s place at the top of the podium, proving age is just a number for Cashmir Z. Argentina native, Gabrielli, resides in Wellington, FL, and is the owner of the 2002 Belgian Warmblood. “He is a really good, competitive horse,” Gabrielli said of Cashimir Z. “He always tries to do the right thing and get to the jump the right way. He’s older but he’s a great horse.”
Course Designer Catsy Cruz of Mexico built a difficult track for the $35,000 FarmVet Grand Prix and challenged the field with a technical and fast course. “It’s not normal to end like that,” Gabrielli said recounting the unusual outcome. “The course required a lot of speed. I believe that is why I was the only clear round.”
“It’s really nice here. The summer weather is really good and everything is really nice,” SIR newcomer Gabrielli said of his tenure at CHP. “I believe I will come back next year.” Gabrielli’s plans for the rest of the summer have yet to be determined as his show schedule hinges on the competitive success and plans of his 6-year-old son, currently showing elsewhere.
Second-place finisher Isabella Bleu Baxter, of Wright City, MO, completed the fastest four-fault ride aboard her Caroqudos T in 78.152 seconds. Third place was awarded to Trapp O’Neal of Magnolia, TX, and TKO Partnership’s Dollar Cash for a four-fault ride in 78.18 seconds. The next Grand Prix during SIR is the $35,000 Horseware® Ireland Grand Prix during SIR IV, which will be hosted on Saturday, June 30 at 5:00 p.m. MST.
Jumper Highlights
The $20,000 FarmVet Welcome Stake was held on Thursday, June 21, and saw Parker, Colorado’s Paul Rorhbach lead the victory gallop on Jacqueline Toomey’s Camerino after a jump-off time of 37.093 seconds. “One of his strengths is that he can cover the ground,” Rohrbach explained as he spoke about his equine partner of five years. “This jump off was really tailor-made for him. I could leave out a stride, or two, in almost every line,” Rorhbach said of his jump-off strategy with the 2004 Holsteiner gelding. In a similar scheduling strategy to Grand Prix winner, Gabrielli, Rorhbach will finalize the remainder of his 2018 show schedule after his daughter’s competitive riding plans are secured.
Sandwillow Farm’s Castalano galloped Katharin Gualtieri of Morrison, CO, through the timers in 38.111 seconds for the red ribbon in the $20,000 FarmVet Welcome Stake. Helen Gilbert’s Al Pachini looked good in yellow after Shannon Hicks of Lake St. Louis, MO, piloted through the jump-off round in 38.452 seconds for third place.
The $2,000 Holiday Inn and Trapper’s Chop House Low Children’s Jumper Classic saw Alyson Ranucci of Centennial, CO, clinch the blue after jumping off in 41.295 seconds aboard her mount Amos We. Second place went to owner/rider Natalie Smith of Denver, CO, and Triomphe after crossing the timers in 42.28 seconds. Morgan Young of Olathe, KS, and her own entry House took home third place with a jump-off time of 45.944 seconds.
Scottsdale, Arizona’s Brandi Parker took home the win on her entry Eva with a jump-off time of 35.955 seconds in the $2,000 Horseware® Ireland Low Adult Jumper Classic. Joanne Janson of Denver, CO, and her entry Pequena picked up second place after jumping off in 35.985 seconds. With a jump-off time of 38.483 seconds, third place was awarded to Project Runway owned by Maxance McManamy and ridden by Mandy Hosford of Holladay, UT.
The $2,000 Front Range Kubota Modified Child/Adult Jumper Classic victory was awarded to Charlotte Siegler of Belleville, TX, and her entry Maxximillion with an expedited jump-off time of 32.041. Crossing the timers in 39.513 seconds earned Ella Garver of Stilwell, KS, and her Classicalana the red ribbon. Asterix and owner/rider Amera Duran of Denver, CO, picked up third place with a jump-off time of 41.627 seconds.
Brooke Cudmore of Omaha, NE, galloped Karen Cudmore’s Rosa through the timers in 36.374 seconds for top awards in the $4,000 Voltaire Design Modified Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic. Nicole Lyvere of Lakewood, CO, and her Ebellenosa jumped-off in 37.925 seconds for second place. Third place was awarded to St John 10:9 and owner/rider Sydney Luzicka of Albuquerque, NM, after crossing the timers in 31.614 seconds.
The $4,000 NAL/WIHS Osphos® Children’s Jumper Classic in which Ashley Shaw of Ellisville, MO, galloped Billy Graffiti, owned by Grasso Equestrian LLC, to victory in 33.68 seconds. Jumping-off in 39.782 seconds for second place was Elizabeth Kneibert of Leawood, KS, and Abbygale Funk’s Leopold 221. Joining the podium in the third-place seat was Alexis Sokolov of Rancho Santa Fe, CA, and her mount Clinton, who finished their two-fault course in 85.29 seconds.
The $4,000 NAL/WIHS Osphos® Adult Jumper Classic named Roman Mezger of Greenwood Village, CO, and Blair Cudmore’s Lalique victorious after a jump-off time of 37.152 seconds. Kristina Matthews of Denver, CO, rode forward for 37.608 seconds to earn second place with her Neolisto Van Het Mierenhof. Owner/rider Elle Campbell of Tempe, AZ, collected the second-place award aboard Q Royal Palm with a jump-off time of 38.294 seconds.
The $5,000 Horseware® Ireland NAL Low Junior/Amateur Classic saw 18 trips and crowned Daniela Hernandez of Scottsdale, AZ, and Monica Cornejo Rahman’s Siquisiri the winners with a jump-off time of 35.895 seconds. Muskogee, Oklahoma’s Julie Roberts galloped her Lothario through the timers in 36.666 seconds for a second-place finish. Dominique Hoffman of Parker, CO, joined the class leaders after jumping off in 37.053 seconds aboard her own Excelsior, for third.
Galway Girl and owner Spencer McKee of Phoenix, AZ, rode the fast track in 40.298 seconds for the lead in the $5,000 Medium/High Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic. Brooke Cudmore and Blair Cudmore’s Southern Rose took home second place with a jump-off time of 42.053 seconds. Third place was awarded to the holder of the 46.053 second jump-off time, Dominique Hoffman and her horse Apriol 2.
Hunter Highlights
The $100 Stirrup Hunter Classic named Paige Shanahan of Flower Mound, TX, the champion aboard Tommy Brawley’s Highlands Percival. Tessa Ohlrogge of Littleton, CO, earned reserve champion atop Little Miss Sunshine, owned by Sabrina Ohlrogge.
Taylor McLelland of Carbondale, CO, rode Kathryn Fleck Peisach’s Mr. Banks for the champion honors in the $1,000 Marshall & Sterling NAL/WIHS Children’s Hunter Classic. Tate Beteta’s entry iCloud and Natalie Templeton of Silverado, CA, took home reserve champion.
The $1,000 Marshall & Sterling NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic named Amanda Shaw of Ellisville, MO, and Sarah Young’s Independiente champion. Leesa Carver of Arvada, CO, piloted Kathy Montgomery’s Riverwalk around the course for the reserve champion honors.
Gabrielle Young of Spring Hill, KS, rode her entry Hidden Springs Woodstar for top honors in the $1,000 Pony Hunter Classic. Owner/rider Jordan Gibbs of Colorado Springs, CO, guided GF Elliot around the course to collect reserve champion.
The $100 Pre-Children’s Hunter Classic awarded the blue ribbon to Erin Gibbs’ Perseus YC and rider Jordan Gibbs of Colorado Springs, CO. Caroline Krier of Parker, CO, rode her Toska for reserve champion.
The $100 Pre-Adult Hunter Classic saw a winning ride by Kathy Baker of Colorado Springs, CO, and her entry Pop Star. Dark Rose was ridden by owner Andrea Sullivan of Tucson, AZ, and was awarded reserve honors.
The Children’s Pony Hunter Classic named Caroline Alexander of Kansas City, MO, champion aboard ABA Hunter Ponies’ Northwinds Times Square.
The $100 Platinum Performance Modified Adult Hunter Classic awarded Barbara Debler of Denver, CO, and Marisa Haag’s Taylor Made top honors. Alexandria Marchi of Los Alamos, NM, and her La Coupe D’Or were assigned reserve placement.
Denver, CO resident Lilian Schaffer earned champion and reserve champion honors in the $100 Platinum Performance Modified Children’s Hunter Classic. Shaffer’s entries Shareef and Especial took home the blue and red ribbons respectively.
The $1,000 Perfect Products Green Hunter Classic 3’/3’3″ presented top honors to Sarah Young of Spring Hill, KS, and Skylar owned by JFC Farms LLC. Amanda Comly of Sachse, TX, completed the course with her own Chappalo to secure second place.
The $1,000 CWD Junior Hunter 3’3″/3’6″ Classic saw 20 trips and determined Jaden Porter of Ladue, MO, and Dragonfly Farms’ Dragonfly’s Steel Octopus victorious. Ainslee Gregg of Frisco, TX, was named reserve champion aboard Valentine owned by Bottom Line Equestrian LLC.
Omar B.Z. carried owner Shae Kimberling of Olathe, KS, to victory in the $1,000 Mile High Golf Cars Amateur Owner Hunter 3’3″/3’6″ Classic. Megan Engle of Littleton, CO, took home reserve on her Night Cap.
Christian Del Bosque of Tucson, AZ, secured champion honors atop K Watson LLC’s Faraon in the $1,000 Serengeti Hunter Classic. Taylor McLelland and Mr. Banks were awarded reserve champion.
SIR IV competition resumes on June 27, and runs through July 1. Horseware® Ireland will present the $20,000 Welcome Stake on Thursday, June 28 and the $35,000 Grand Prix on Saturday, June 30. In addition to the weekly series favorites, SIR IV is set to host the USHJA Children’s and Adult Amateur Hunter Championships, for Zones 7 & 8. The Championships, presented by SmartPak®, will feature two days (June 27-28) of team and individual competition. Team competitors will face one under saddle class and two classic hunter courses. Individual competitors will see an under saddle, a classic hunter derby and a handy hunter course.