Courtney Calcagnini and Elementary (Phelps Media Group, Inc.)
Calcagnini and Elementary just could not be beat Thursday in the First Year Green Hunters. They added two blues over fences to their win in yesterday's over fences and handy hunter classes. Their consistency over the past couple days was rewarded with the division tricolor and the Grand Green Hunter Championship honors. Elementary is owned by Fleur De Lis Farms in Argyle, TX. Taking home reserve was Emma Farber's entry Triumph, from Encino, CA, with Leslie Steele in the irons.
"Today from yesterday, I thought he was even more relaxed," commented Calcagnini. "I mean, he was just so easy, so perfect going around. He is a seven year old; we bought him in January from Brandie Holloway. He is just the sweetest, most straightforward horse. He can show in the Juniors and the First Years, he does the derbies. He has a kid, he shows in the Small Junior Hunters on the weekend with Camille Trimble. I don't like to do too many classes. I like to save him as much as possible."
When asked what she thought made them stand out this week, Calcagnini explained, "I think his consistency, he just stays on the same canter all the way around the ring and he is so sweet. He never changes. He is just very consistent for a First Year horse."
Following a successful first day in the Olson Family Main Hunter Ring, Holly Shepherd and LPF Woodford kept their winning streak alive in the High Performance Working Hunter division. Shepard and LPF Woodford, owned by Lone Pine Farm LLC in Ocala, FL, jumped to a first and second place finish over fences. Added to their back-to-back wins yesterday, they were announced as the division champion. Jessie Lang piloted C. Quito to the reserve honors for owner Margot Snowdon of Wilson, WY.
"He went super, I pretty much expect that from him," expressed Shepherd. "I think he wowed the judges at the first jump in every class. He shows his talent all the time, whether he is too far away or is cantering too slow to the jump, you still get this amazing jump out of him. I don't know how it can happen, but he manages to pull it off.
Shepherd and LPF Woodford also earned scores of 86 and 85 for a total of 171 in the two-round $1,000 Open Hunter Classic, good for the win.
"I was in the jumper ring all day long so I didn't get to watch many in the classic," commented Shepherd. "I saw one of the 3'3" Performance Hunters go and I thought that they might get us, but not today. Today he got to come back out for a cooler. Hopefully derby day next week will be just like that too."
In the Performance 3'6" Working Hunters, it was Calcagnini and Arthur who took home the division championship for owner Brooke Weiss of Frisco, TX. Weiss is a new client and Arthur has only been in the barn for a week. Claiming reserve was Conner Hinckley of Argyle, TX and his own Seamless.
"Arthur is actually new to my barn, this is my first week to ride him," revealed Calcagnini. "I don't know him super well but he is very sweet and easy and straightforward. He has a huge stride, so he needs a slow ride. He is a new client's horse. I actually didn't even practice on Tuesday, I let the kid have a lesson, so I practiced a couple days during the off week and that's it. I just tried to do my best."
Wrapping up the professional hunter action was the Performance 3'3" Working Hunter division, where Wagner and Kelly Lorek rode away with the champion honors for owner Annabelle Regan of Austin, TX. Craftsman, a Twin Oaks Farm LLC entry from Culpeper, VA, and rider Jessie Lang took reserve.
"I think the course rode nicely today, it was a fantastic course," noted Lorek. "Everything kind of flowed out of the turns, it was just great. Wagner does the juniors with Annabelle, she does the Older Larges. He is a super guy. He takes a patient ride. We've been here before, this is our third year. I like the improvements, it has been wonderful. Great weather, great location, how can you beat it?"