Abigail Weiland and Dragon (Phelps Media Group)
The Maclay course assessed the riders' effectiveness while maintaining their position. It included an in-and-out, a rollback, a long approach single oxer, and it tested adjustability with a sharp right turn towards the short side after a skinny end jump. Many of the riders came in deep to the long approach oxer, causing their courses to lose fluidity. Getting their horses back after the two-stride in-and-out proved to be a challenge for some as well.
Despite this being only her second time doing a Maclay trip, Abigail Weiland answered all of the questions posed by Starnes without hesitation. Every jump she and Dragon rode to matched, while she kept a crisp position.
Dragon is on lease to Weiland from Emil Spadone of Redfield Farms in Califon, New Jersey. Weiland is also a client of Mickie Sage, following in her footsteps to blues in the Olson Family Main Hunter Ring.
In addition to riding the course, the Maclay riders were put to test on the flat. Weiland, who says she is usually stronger over fences than on the flat, was thrilled to accept the blue.
"I was so excited. I thought he was great," said Weiland. "And after today, I should be qualified for the Maclay!"
After placing in her first two Maclay classes ever, Weiland has strong hopes for qualifying for other equitation finals.
"I'm going to try to qualify for the Washington (WIHS Equitation Finals) and Pessoa (Pessoa/USEF Medal Finals)," said Weiland. "Hopefully I will do that during the next couple of weeks at Summer in the Rockies!"
3'3" and 3'6" Junior Hunters
The 3'3" and 3'6" Junior Hunters began Friday, and Kelli Cruciotti had her eye on the blue. Cruciotti and her fairly new mount Verbatim won all three classes: the over fences, handy and under saddle. Although they have only been showing together since March, Cruciotti and the gelding owned by Serenity Farm already have a good rhythm going.
The over fences class rode smoothly and evenly for the pair, with everything appearing right in stride. In the handy, Cruciotti was able to take advantage of Verbatim's responsiveness and agility. The pair beautifully shaved off space in the rollbacks, and Verbatim came back without resistance for the trot jump.
"He is pretty small, but he has a huge stride," said Cruciotti. "He is so handy and it helps in the rollbacks."
On Cruciotti's heels was Sophia Depumpo with Limbo. They received second place over fences and in the hack with the coaching of Colleen Acosta. The Junior Hunters seem to be a niche for Limbo and Depumpo, as they have already won many tricolors so far this year in the southwest region.
The division concludes tomorrow with two more over fences classes in the main hunter ring. Consistency will be put to the test for Cruciotti with Verbatim and Depumpo with Limbo to see who comes out on top in the second day of Junior Hunter competition.
Results: Summer in the Rockies I - Friday, June 6
(Number/Horse/Owner/Rider)
ASPCA Maclay
1. 403/Dragon/Redfield Farm/Abigail Weiland
2. 411/Theodore K/Hannah Hlopak/Hannah Hlopak
3. 269/Samarkand/NTM Enterprises/Emily Mac Lean
4. 288/Valois/DRK Equity LLC/Reilly Quagliano
5. 212/Samsonite/Katya Schwab/Jamie Morris
6. 311/Rocket Man/Lindsay Gersoff/Lindsay Gersoff
7. 301/Papparazzi/Serenity Farm/Abigail Grace Kelley
8. 293/Bootlegger Lane/Ashley Sprinkle/Ashley Sprinkle
Junior Hunter 3'6 & 3'3 O/F
1. 309/Verbatim/ Serenity Farm /Kelli Cruciotti
2. 109/Limbo/Sophia Depumpo/Sophia Depumpo
3. 312/Premonition/Lindsay Gersoff/Lindsay Gersoff
4. 110/Lucky Jack/Grace Albritton/Grace Albritton
5. 324/Baloubet K/Roderick Kyle Dewar/Katey Kozeny
6. 178/Shenanigans/Lexi Mulkey/Lexi Mulkey
7. 293/Bootlegger Lane/Ashley Sprinkle/Ashley Sprinkle
8. 137/All Tuckered Out/Mackenzie Kline/Mackenzie Kline
Junior Hunter 3'6 & 3'3 Handy
1. 309/Verbatim/Serenity Farm/Kelli Cruciotti
2. 137/All Tuckered Out/Mackenzie Kline/Mackenzie Kline
3. 110/Lucky Jack/Grace Albritton/Grace Albritton
4. 312/Premonition/Lindsay Gersoff/Lindsay Gersoff
5. 324/Baloubet K/Roderick Kyle Dewar/Katey Kozeny
6. 109/Limbo/Sophia Depumpo/Sophia Depumpo
7. 178/Shenanigans/Lexi Mulkey/Lexi Mulkey
Junior Hunter 3'6 & 3'3 U/S
1. 309/Verbatim/Serenity Farm/Kelli Cruciotti
2. 109/Limbo/Sophia Depumpo/Sophia Depumpo
3. 312/Premonition/Lindsay Gersoff/Lindsay Gersoff
4. 178/Shenanigans/Lexi Mulkey/Lexi Mulkey
5. 137/All Tuckered Out/Mackenzie Kline/Mackenzie Kline
6. 324/Baloubet K/Roderick Kyle Dewar/Katey Kozeny
7. 110/Lucky Jack/Grace Albritton/Grace Albritton