Traverse City, Mich. – Sept. 9, 2020 – Hunter entries were welcomed back to Traverse City on Wednesday for the 50th American Gold Cup CSI4*, presented by CaptiveOne Advisors LLC, which is celebrating its first year as a two-week event as well as its first installment that includes the hunter ring as a historically jumper-only show. During the first portion of the Performance Hunter divisions, Julia Rossow and Chantilly took the early lead in the 3’6’’ section, while Caroline Weeden and Carnaval earned valuable points to earn the lead in the 3’3’’ section. Both Rossow and Weeden will return to their respective divisions Thursday, September 10, to vie for championship honors.
Kicking off the Performance Hunter divisions at the 3’6’’ height, Rossow took the early lead aboard Chantilly, owned by Malibu Valley Farms Inc. Rossow and the 12-year-old Warmblood mare rode to the blue in the first over fences round of the division, also earning first place undersaddle. Junior rider Hallie Grimes also placed herself in contention for the championship in the Performance 3’6’’ Hunter division, following close behind Rossow’s lead. Grimes wowed the judges aboard Custom Made, a 15-year-old Mecklenburg gelding owned by Can We Keep It? LLC, to claim first place honors in the handy round, earning additional points toward the championship in the first over fences round after the pair earned third place.
Immediately following the Performance 3’6’’ hunter, new horse and rider pairs took to the Polk Family Main Hunter Ring for their shot at the ribbons in the Performance 3’3’’ Hunter division. Well on their way to the tricolor in the 3’3’’ division, Caroline Weeden and Carnaval took two of the three available first place ribbons, earning the top spot on the flat and in the first over fences round. Weeden and the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding, owned by Stephanie Harris, claimed third place in the handy round, placing themselves in the leading position heading into Thursday’s portion of the division.
Hunter action will continue throughout the week in Traverse City for the 50th American Gold Cup CSI4*, presented by CaptiveOne Advisors LLC. The highlight events will all take place Sunday, when pony riders, juniors, amateurs and professionals will all have a chance to shine. Feature classes will include the $2,500 Traverse City Horse Shows Pony Hunter Classic, $5,000 Traverse City Horse Shows Junior Hunter Classic, presented by Makoto Farm, $2,500 2’6″ Non Pro Hunter Derby and $25,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby.