Parker, CO – June 27, 2017 – Week three of the Summer In The Rockies Series (SIR) concluded at The Colorado Horse Park (CHP) on Sunday, June 25, after yet another successful week of top hunter, jumper, and equitation competition. Karen Cudmore of Omaha, NE, and Southern Pride, captured the win in the $50,000 FarmVet Grand Prix on Saturday, June 24, the highlight class of the week, which saw a large turnout of spectators and fans.
Cudmore rode the 19-year-old Holsteiner stallion (South Pacific x Blanka) owned by Blair Cudmore, to the top spot in the class after going clear in the jump-off and stopping the timers at 49.459 seconds. Second place was awarded to Paul Rohrbach of Parker, CO, and Camerino, owned by Wells Bridge Farm Inc, after amassing eight faults in the jump-off and finishing the short course in 41.982 seconds, ahead of Chenoa McElvain of Lemitar, NM, and Wallstreet RC, who collected third place after an initial time of 83.626 seconds round before an untimely elimination in the jump-off.
“I’ve had Southern since he was a yearling. He’s had an amazing career and he is careful about his work. He’s 19 this year and obviously one of the oldest horses out here in the field. He looks great and feels great. He’s always liked Colorado and he is a breeding stallion so he has a busy career. I’m so happy that he feels so good,” she said.
Commenting on her ride, Cudmore said, “He jumped very carefully in the first round and it helped that I was last to go in the jump-off.”
The jump-off brought three combinations back to contest the short track and both rides prior to Cudmore saw faults around the short course, so she knew that a clear and consistent ride would secure the victory.
She continued, “Fortunately the two rides before me had rails and re-grouping situations, so at that point, there was no reason to go crazy fast. He’s not super-fast anyway and he’s pretty careful. I wanted to keep it together and successfully jump around and he did just that.”
Earlier in the week, Trapp O’Neal dominated the $20,000 Open Welcome Stake, while piloting Capitano to a quick round, which could not be beat. O’Neal of Magnolia, TX, and the 2003 Holsteiner gelding owned by TKO Partnership, ended the afternoon with a winning jump-off time of 38.542 seconds.
“This is only the second time my horse has been in this ring,” said Trapp. “He jumped very well. The first three jumps in the jump-off came up nicely. It’s a great course designer and he really makes you think. At the end, we got lucky and Capitano was just really good.”
O’Neal has had the ride on the gelding for six years and the pair’s relationship has seen both the ups and downs of the sport during that time. The pair have shown around the country together and O’Neal was pleased with their performance in both rounds of the $20,000 Welcome Stake.
“He’s my best bud. We go everywhere together. We’ve had some good classes and some bad classes, but he always gives me 100%.”
Chenoa McElvain of Lemitar, NM, rode Wallstreet RC, owned by Guy McElvain, to the second-place position with a jump-off time of 41.054 seconds. Third place was awarded to Nicki Wilcox of Parker, CO, and her own J.E.S. Quito, after completing the jump-off track in 41.431 seconds.
Jumper Highlights
The Under 25 Jumper Classic hosted on Friday, June 23, saw a speedy victory awarded to Brooke Cudmore of Omaha, NE, and Igor, owned by Blair Cudmore. The pair bested the class of ten entries, and completed the jump-off track in 36.442 seconds.
“There was one sharp inside turn to do in the jump-off that led to a really big oxer. Kelli [Cruciotti] did it and she’s a quick one, but when it came down to it, I decided to go around. I hoped that I could just be faster, even with going around it, and it worked,” she explained. “Igor was great. We left out some strides in two spots and he followed the plan. That horse is amazing and I really love riding him.”
Cudmore has been riding the 2008 Holsteiner stallion since he was just three years old. The duo have grown together and show significant promise for the future, as they have looked impressive so far this circuit at CHP.
“I’ve been on him his whole under- saddle life,” she commented. “He just did his first grand prix not too long ago. He’s really grown up and I have big goals for him. I have no doubt that he is going to continue to become an amazing upper level horse, and really has already stepped up to the plate in that regard.”
Earning second place after setting a competitive jump-off time of 37.353 seconds, was Kelli Cruciotti of Elizabeth, CO, piloting Zidante, owned by Serenity Farm. Mindy Cortez of Tulsa, OK, and Cafe Crema, owned by Eighteen Acres Farm, completed the jump-off track in 40.328 seconds with four faults to take third place in the class.
Jumper Highlights
The $10,000 Griffis Residential High Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic saw a well-deserved win awarded to Mattie Hatcher of Little Rock, AR, and her own Cumana, completing the jump-off in a speedy time of 51.627 seconds. Second place was awarded to Isabel Johnson of Englewood, CO, and her own Carpe Diem with a jump-off time of 52.905 seconds and eight faults. Third place was presented to Brooke Cudmore of Omaha, NE, and Igor, owned by Blair Cudmore, on an initial time of 73.933 seconds with an additional four faults.
The $2,000 Holiday Inn Parker Low Children’s Jumper Classic saw a victory for Callie Matteson of Colorado Springs, CO, and her own Occra, with a jump-off time of 39.422 seconds. Second place went to Katie Glass of Louisville, CO, aboard Emerald De Lux, owned by Glass, with a jump-off time of 40.699. Third place was captured by Abby Rasmussen of Thorton, CO, aboard Heather Tseng’s Canaris II, finishing the jump-off with four faults and in 44.687 seconds.
The $2,000 Holiday Inn Parker Low Adult Jumper Classic was won by Kaitlyn Arnold of Austin, TX, riding MTM Condor, owned by MTM Farm, with a jump-off time of 29.508 seconds. Second place saw Lisa Roskens of Omaha, NE, riding her own Citori, complete the jump-off in 31.033 seconds to finish in the top three. Third place went to Lisa Paisecki of New York, NY, aboard Stephanie Gershon’s Get Jiggy With It, after a jump-off round that stopped the timers in 31.779 seconds.
Courtney Manning of Olathe, KS, captured a win in the $2,000 Front Range Kubota Modified Children/Adult Jumper Classic, piloting Bohemian Rhapsody, owned by Maddie Baucom, to a jump-off time of 28.665 seconds. Second place victory went to Mia Mclaughlin of Littleton, CO, and her own Fancy Fuerstin R, who finished the short course in 29.778 seconds. Third place was awarded to Julia Soechtig of Castle Rock, CO, and her own Petri with a jump-off time of 33.089 seconds.
The $4,000 Voltaire Designs Modified Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic was won by Shala McConnell of Elizabeth, CO, riding her own Southern Eyes. The pair completed the jump-off track in 40.498 seconds to secure the win. Second place was awarded to Sarah Tredennick of Wellington, FL, and Annwood Lane, owned by Page Tredennick, with a jump-off time of 41.702 seconds. Meghan Newton of Denver, CO, placed third with her own Cacau, as the duo finished the jump-off in 42.719 seconds.
Lauren Arnett of Parker, CO, won the $4,000 Osphos® NAL/WIHS Children’s Jumper Classic riding Abbygale Funk’s Argo Z, after the duo stopped the jump-off timers in 43.866 seconds. Second place went to Nicole Davis of Erie, CO, piloting First Romance, owned by Jill Pelzel, with four faults and a jump-off time of 43.352 seconds. Third place was awarded to Mary Roskens of Omaha, NE, and Beaublesse, owned by Far Hill Farms, with a jump-off time of 43.501 seconds and an additional four faults.
The $4,000 Osphos® NAL/WIHS Adult Jumper Classic was won by Kai Devoglaer of Austin, TX, and MTM Yowza, owned by MTM Farm, with a jump-off time of 38.184 seconds. Second place went to Kristina Matthews of Denver, CO, and her own Neolisto Van Het Mierenhof, after finishing the jump-off in 39.705 seconds. Rounding out the third place position was Jacqueline Toomey of Englewood, CO, and her own Celina, who completed the short course in 42.654 seconds.
The $5,000 Ariat® NAL Low Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic saw a winning jump-off time of 37.419 seconds from Ashley Shaw of Ellisville, MO, riding Andrew Kocher’s Adico. Brooke Cudmore of Omaha, NE, and Southern Rose, owned by Blair Cudmore, captured second place with a jump-off time of 37.687 seconds ahead of Isabel Ikast of Parker, CO, and Mont Blanc, owned by Bjorn Ikast, who completed the track in 39.685 seconds.
Mattie Hatcher of Little Rock, AR, earned a first-place finish in the $5,000 Medium Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic, riding her own Cristiano, adding four faults to their jump-off round of 51.354 seconds. Hatcher also captured second place aboard Hands Free, after the pair completed the jump-off with four faults and a time of 53.225 seconds. Third place went to Julie Roberts of Muskogee, OK, and Lothario, owned by The Woodland Stables LLC, after also adding four faults to their score and stopping the timers in 54.936 seconds.
Hunter Highlights
The $1,000 Marshall & Sterling NAL/WIHS Children’s Hunter Classic saw top honors awarded to Cameron Collins of Cherry Hill Village, CO, and Unwritten, owned by Marigny Strauss, ahead of Cece Siegfried of Tulsa, OK, and her own Finally Found, who collected second place. Mia Kertson of Spicewood, TX, and Bart Xequoia, owned by Blair Englander, finished in third place.
The $1,000 Marshall & Sterling NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic saw top honors presented to Aleyna Garcia of Castle Rock, CO, riding Pinch Hitter, owned by Kristen Mauck. Second place honors went to Kai Devoglaer of Austin, TX, and MTM Here’s 2 You, owned by Candu Farm, while Meghan Newton of Denver, CO, and her own Que Sera rounded out the top three.
The $1,000 Green Hunter 3’/ 3’3″ Classic saw Amberlee Wentz of Colorado Springs, CO, and Davidson, owned by Dana Vollbracht, rise to the top of the class, while Kelly Lorek of Manchaca, TX, and MTM Muffin, owned by Ella Knight, finished in second place. Courtney Frederick of Longmont, CO, and Colorado 222, owned by Julia Fischer, collected third place honors in the class.
The $1,000 Junior Hunter 3’3″/3’6″ Classic saw Isabella Bleu Baxter of Wright City, MO and White Lightning, owned by Helen Gilbert, earn top honors in the competitive class. Abigail Albrecht of Austin, TX, and MTM Nameworthy collected second place, while Shae Kimberling of Olathe, KS, and Omar B.Z. were presented with third place honors.
Isabella Bleu Baxter of Wright City, MO, was champion of the CWD Junior Hunter 3’6″ Division aboard White Lightning, owned by Helen Gilbert. Reserve champion was awarded to Shae Kimberling of Olathe, KS, and Omar B.Z., owned by Carolyn Abrams.
The Short Stirrup Equitation Division was awarded to Kaitlin Johnson of Conifer, CO, and her own Wink At The Judge. Reserve champion went to Keane Hazelriggs of Castle Rock, CO, and Sugar N Spice, owned by Gabrielle Thinnes.
The CWD Junior Hunter 3’3″ Division was championed by Myka Seger of Scottsdale, AZ, and her own West Lane. Taylor Valencia of Parker, CO, and her own Only Mischief earned the reserve champion title in the division.
Paul Rohrbach of Parker, CO, took both champion and reserve champion in the Horseware® Ireland Performance Hunter 3’6″ Division aboard Corcovado, owned by NTM Enterprises, and French Match, also owned by NTM Enterprises respectively.
Mindy Coretz of Tulsa, OK, and Happy Hour, owned by Eighteen Acres Farm, finished atop the Horseware® Ireland Performance Hunter 3’3″ Division, while Andrea van Meenan of Colorado Springs, CO, and Electra, owned by Sarah Cowden, finished with the reserve champion title.
Mackenzie Barton of Kappa, HI, championed the Pre-Children’s Hunter Division aboard The Beat Goes On, owned by Olivia Contillo, while reserve champion was awarded to Lauren Bloss of El Paso, TX, and Glamour, owned by Shannon Segers.
The Pre-Adult Hunter Division saw champion honors awarded to Amanda McMurray of Littleton, CO, and her own Lake Effect. Reserve champion was presented to Aura Ayler of Castle Rock, CO, and her own Obviously.
Ann Hopfenbeck of Castle Rock, CO, and Verity, owned by Mesa View Stables, LLC, secured champion honors in the Modified Adult Hunter Division ahead of Sarah Kassabian of Oklahoma City, OK, piloting On The Rocks, owned by Eighteen Acres Farm, who collected reserve champion after a week of competition.
The 2017 Summer In The Rockies Series will resume on Wednesday, June 28, with the start of the fourth 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: ©Captured Moment Photography