Sean Leckie (AnLi Kelly-Durham/Phelps Media Group)
Sean Leckie of Reno, NV and Kelli Cruciotti of Elizabeth, CO are two very successful junior riders on the national scene, and they each took home a win in the WIHS Equitation. Leckie won the Hunter Phase with a score of 85, while Cruciotti finished right behind him on a score of 84, good for second place. In the jumper phase, the two riders swapped spots. Cruciotti rode away with the blue, while Leckie received the second place award.
"I thought my horse was great in both phases," smiled Kelli. "The Jumper Phase suits him a little bit more, he is a big horse. He is owned by Abigal Graham and I can't thank her enough for letting me ride him and show him here. He is just a big dog. His name is French Kiss, it really fits him, he is just a puppy. He is a great horse and I am very lucky to ride him."
Both riders are extremely competitive junior riders. Leckie earned a coveted spot in the George H. Morris Horsesmanship Training Program after his outstanding performance at the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session, and Cruciotti was the second-place finisher at the ASPCA Maclay Finals at the National Horse Show in 2013. The two talented riders enjoyed the added challenge that the other brought to the table.
Cruciotti commented, "Sean has a great partnership with his horse so it is not bad to get beat by someone who rides that well."
"It is a mutual feeling," chimed in Leckie. "It is fun to have good competition."
In the ASPCA Maclay it was Courtnay Edwards of Carbondale, CO who claimed the top prize. Edwards turned in an impressive round over fences and held the judge's eye in the work-off under saddle. Ashley Sprinkle of Highlands Ranch, CO took second, following a successful showing in the 15-17 Equitation where she took the division championship.
"The course went pretty well," remarked Edwards. "All I was thinking about was following through and moving through my corners, just getting there and getting her to every jump. It just came together. My horse is a Dutch Warmblood mare, she is 14 years old. She is a great horse."
When asked where she thought she stood out in the class, she replied, "Probably my jumping. The flat phase was good but it was definitely my jumping. If I can qualify for Maclay Regionals and the Final, it would be an amazing experience."
The equitation action concluded today with the THIS National Children's Medal, where Asha Jain of Southlake, TX emerged victorious. Following a challenging first course, Jain was called back to test in the second position. She knew she would need to impress the judges if she wanted to finish on top. After the commencement of the test, Jain was announced as the winner. Rider Sarah Bowen of Franktown, CO was called back in fourth and finished in second behind Jain.
"The course was challenging in the fact that there was a lot of balancing and the goal is to make it smooth," explained Jain. "It really takes a good horse and a good ride and a good match to make it all work out. I was really happy with the test and happy that it was challenging but doable. I think the best part of my course was actually my halt."
Jain continued, "This is my Pre-Green and I've only had her for a year now, so we are working our way up the ranks. I am hoping to qualify for the Taylor Harris final and I am getting ready to ride at college. The rest of the week I will finish the Children's Hunters and maybe do the derby."
Results: Summer in the Rockies IV - Friday, July 4
320. Equitation 15-17 Flat
result entry # horse / owner rider prize
1 2400 Bootlegger Lane
Ashley Sprinkle Ashley Sprinkle 0.00
2 553 Afrojack
Donald Stewart Annabelle Regan 0.00
3 268 Catalpa
Serena Anand Hunter White 0.00
4 2489 Prince
Allison Belcher Allison Belcher 0.00
5 965 Dragon
Redfield Farm Abigail Weiland 0.00
6 2101 Classic Royale
Future Street Farm Elizabeth Ecclestone 0.00
7 2279 Commander In Chief
Jan Beavers Alessandra Sozzi 0.00
8 940 Even So
Amanda Roche Amanda Roche 0.00
318. Equitation 15-17 O/F
result entry # horse / owner rider prize
1 2400 Bootlegger Lane
Ashley Sprinkle Ashley Sprinkle 0.00
2 553 Afrojack
Donald Stewart Annabelle Regan 0.00
3 268 Catalpa
Serena Anand Hunter White 0.00
4 2279 Commander In Chief
Jan Beavers Alessandra Sozzi 0.00
5 2383 Cascaluna
Lone Star Stables Courtney May 0.00
6 2506 LifeLord Z
Susan Beesemyer Lauren Boswell 0.00
7 2264 Romanov
Carol Tucker Hannah Hlopak 0.00
8 2271 Baloubet K
Roderick Kyle Dewar Katey Kozeny 0.00
319. Equitation 15-17 O/F
result entry # horse / owner rider prize
1 268 Catalpa
Serena Anand Hunter White 0.00
2 553 Afrojack
Donald Stewart Annabelle Regan 0.00
3 2400 Bootlegger Lane
Ashley Sprinkle Ashley Sprinkle 0.00
4 2279 Commander In Chief
Jan Beavers Alessandra Sozzi 0.00
5 2271 Baloubet K
Roderick Kyle Dewar Katey Kozeny 0.00
6 2264 Romanov
Carol Tucker Hannah Hlopak 0.00
7 2506 LifeLord Z
Susan Beesemyer Lauren Boswell 0.00
8 2539 China Moon
James Mc Connell Isabel Walton 0.00
402. ASPCA Maclay
result entry # horse / owner rider prize
1 258 Toska
Courtnay Edwards Courtnay Edwards 0.00
2 2400 Bootlegger Lane
Ashley Sprinkle Ashley Sprinkle 0.00
3 2398 Catskills
Showcase 81, LLC True Kershenbaum 0.00
4 268 Catalpa
Serena Anand Hunter White 0.00
5 2279 Commander In Chief
Jan Beavers Alessandra Sozzi 0.00
6 549 MTM Flash Dance
MTM Farm Abigail Albrecht 0.00
7 887 Peter Pan
KOR LLC Raegan Rast 0.00
8 2481 Patrone
Emily Sutherland Emily Sutherland 0.00
404. Washington Hunter Phase
result entry # horse / owner rider prize
1 979 Bullwinkle
Leslie Steele Robert Leckie 0.00
2 2230 French Kiss
Abigail Graham Kelli Cruciotti 0.00
3 549 MTM Flash Dance
MTM Farm Abigail Albrecht 0.00
4 553 Afrojack
Donald Stewart Annabelle Regan 0.00
5 965 Dragon
Redfield Farm Abigail Weiland 0.00
6 887 Peter Pan
KOR LLC Raegan Rast 0.00
7 542 Brunello
Megan Engel Megan Engel 0.00
8 2482 Holyfield
Misty Redd Misty Redd 0.00
405. Washington Jumper Phase
result entry # horse / owner rider prize
1 2230 French Kiss
Abigail Graham Kelli Cruciotti 0.00
2 979 Bullwinkle
Leslie Steele Robert Leckie 0.00
3 2398 Catskills
Showcase 81, LLC True Kershenbaum 0.00
4 553 Afrojack
Donald Stewart Annabelle Regan 0.00
5 965 Dragon
Redfield Farm Abigail Weiland 0.00
6 2481 Patrone
Emily Sutherland Emily Sutherland 0.00
7 887 Peter Pan
KOR LLC Raegan Rast 0.00
8 549 MTM Flash Dance
MTM Farm Abigail Albrecht 0.00
407. THIS National Children's Medal
result entry # horse / owner rider prize
1 479 Countess K
Alodis Equine LLC Asha Jain 0.00
2 2184 Viking Ferro
Sarah Bowen Sarah Bowen 0.00
3 244 Cartina B
Kamryn Steel Kamryn Steel 0.00
4 241 Socrates
Allison Zimmerman Allison Zimmerman 0.00
5 483 Ilsa
Emma Horn Emma Horn 0.00
6 868 Lancio
Madeline Geno Madeline Geno 0.00
7 2261 Papparazzi
Serenity Farm Abigail Grace Kelley 0.00
8 2233 Bonaire
Serenity Farm Samantha Kramig 0.00
9 2489 Prince
Allison Belcher Allison Belcher 0.00