Lisa Goldman and Morocco win the $20,000 Welcome Stake, sponsored by The Novak Family, during the Spring Spectacular III
Only eight of the 23 competitors were able to master Anderson Lima's Welcome Stake track. It was a course that asked questions and demanded answers, showing its technical nuisances through a vertical-vertical combination, an oxer-vertical combination, rollbacks and long runs between fences. The jump-off proved no easier for those who qualified.
Tracy Fenney was the first to take on the shortened track, setting a four-fault trend as she pulled a rail at one of two problematic verticals with MTM Reve du Paradis. Dorothy Douglas and S&L Elite followed in her footsteps, while Paul Yanke and Chill Haze found fault at the same spot but raced through the timers to take the fourth place finish as the fastest of the four faulters with the astounding time of 39.996 seconds.
Lina Rojas was the first to clear the course, racing through the timer with Ramdam de Dry in 42.269 seconds. Megan Moshontz-Bash followed closely after with the second of the clean jump-off rides; however, she rode it more conservatively, falling shy of Rojas' pace with Pourkoipa Fontaine in 43.416 seconds.
Lisa Goldman was the last of the eight to take on the track, but today the best came last. Goldman rode Morocco through the course in 42.015 seconds, focusing on going double clear versus running the speedster off his feet.
"He was so good," Goldman smiled. "For the jump-off I decided to ride it just like the first round. His natural speed is so fast, granted I cut it a little closer than I intended to, but I just wanted to go double clean. That was my first double clean with Morocco during the Spring Spectacular Series. I have been the fastest four-faulter with my fast boys, and today I didn't care if I won, I just wanted to go clean in the jump-off. He jumped incredible."
Goldman continued, "I liked the courses. They were nice and big and technical. There was a good number of people in the jump-off. I liked the jump-off. I didn't run for it. I knew I just needed to be clean. Anderson made fun of me, the time allowed during the first course was 86 seconds and I did 68. Morocco is a speed ball though and I think he was shocked that I wasn't making him run for it. I have been a bridesmaid throughout the series, so close but not close enough, I was glad to have such a good Welcome Stake win today."
Earlier in the day, Alec Bozorgi and Cappanaleigh Storm stepped into the winner's circle for their victory in the $1,000 Young Jumper 7-year-old Championship, sponsored by Wholesome Goodness. Bozorgi, of Believe It Farm, has been riding the mare since last year, when he purchased her from Irish rider Kevin Babington.
Bozorgi said, "She is a little bit of a mare, she has some attitude, but in the right way. I know that I can take a shot out there because she is so brave and so scopey. We have been working on making her more elastic, and improving her rideability."
He is enjoying his time riding throughout the spring and summer, and plans on attending college at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, beginning in the fall. His hopes are to continue riding his horses while he is at school. He is looking toward a future with his two young horses, and believes that Cappanaleigh Storm has the potential to be a grand prix horse.
"I have high hopes for this mare. I think she has everything," Bozorgi said.
Tiffany Hammack and Cassini Du Boy
It was Tiffany Hammack and Cassini Du Boy who captured the win during the $1,000 Young Jumper 6-year-old Championship, sponsored by Lauren Robishaw. She blazed through the jump-off course in 25.373 seconds, beating out Lisa Goldman and Roc N Groovy by more than two seconds. Third place was awarded to Thomas Cerra and Frankie B for their double-clear effort, posted in 28.106 seconds.
During the $2,5001.30m Open Jumpers, sponsored by CWD, Lauren Ditallo and Totally Wicked beat out competitors in a seven-horse jump-off as the only double clear of the class. She took the win in 28.520 seconds, while Charlie Jayne and Playboy finished exactly one second off her pace in 29.520 seconds, with four faults, for the second place. Bob Brawley and Corlensky G II nabbed the third place with their four-fault round ridden in 30.710 seconds.
The Showplace Productions Spring Spectacular III continues Friday with the WIHS Children's and Adult Classics. In the afternoon the Open Jumper division will continue with the $5,000 1.30m Open Jumper, prepping horses for the quickly approaching $50,000 Wells Fargo Advisors Grand Prix, Saturday at 3 p.m. The Junior and Amateur riders will have a chance to accrue points in the $5,000 High and Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper classes, an exciting event that is only offered during Week III of the Showplace Spring Spectacular Series.
For more information on the Showplace Spring Spectacular Series, please visit: www.showplaceproductions.com.
Maria Rasmussen and Corporate won the First Year Green Working Hunter and Regular Conformation Hunter Championships at the Spring Spectacular III.
By: Elaine Wessel
Maria Rasmussen and Corporate won the First Year Green Working Hunter and Regular Conformation Hunter Championships at the Spring Spectacular III.
Wayne, IL - June 18, 2015 - The professional hunter divisions came to an end today, the third day of competition at the Showplace Spring Spectacular III, and a number of pairs have started strong by taking advantage of the third and final week of the horse show. Rain once again plagued the showgrounds, but grey skies finally transitioned to blue late into the morning just in time for then naming of the champions.
Maintaining their hot streak from yesterday, Maria Rasmussen aboard Ashley Netzky's Corporate continued to rally points in both the Conformation Hunter and First Year Green Hunter divisions. Expertly navigating their way over the natural obstacles yesterday earned them a first and fourth place finish, as well as a first in the hack, in the Conformation division, and those points combined with two more top placings this morning were plenty enough to earn them the championship honors.
"He puts so much effort into his jump," Rasmussen praised of her mount following yesterday's competition, "and he always has a great expression in the ring. He wants to win."
Reserve to Corporate was Cucinelli and Rush Weeden, putting in a strong number of performances throughout both days of competition. Cucinelli is owned by Glory Days Farm, LLC.
Returning to the ring for their second division of the day, Rasmussen and Corporate claimed the second and third place finishes in the final classes of the First Year Green Working Hunter division to add to their three sweeping firsts yesterday.
Topping the judges' cards was Moonwalk, ridden by Hillary Johnson and owned by Copper Fox LLC, who earned the two first-place honors this morning. Unfortunately for Johnson and the grey gelding, even their strong homestretch performance today was not enough to overtake Rasmussen and Corporate's points.
Next on the schedule was the sister division to the First Year Green Working Hunters, the Second Year Green Working Hunters. After raising the height of the jumps a few inches, three exhibitors took their turns navigating the natural track, designed by Skip Bailey of Wellington, Florida. Russell Frey and Debbie McIntyre's Cavalli made it look easy, nearly sweeping the division with four victories in the division's five classes, only falling short in the hack.
Frey and the grey gelding have been paired together for nearly a year and a half, and the rider clearly seemed pleased with his mount's performance and attitude both in and out of the ring.
"He tries unbelievably hard every day," Frey praised of the horse. "He is a nice simple ride with lots of scope. Such a great quality animal."
Cavalli is not a career show horse, but also plays a role in contributing to the lesson program at his home stable. Although he doesn't show extensively, Frey claims that he always knows his job when at a competition. The pair will lay low for the majority of the summer, later returning to the Lamplight Equestrian Center for Equifest in July.
Holding their own against the formidable Frey and Cavalli was Laura Stern with the ride aboard her own Harrison. Consistency seems to be a strength of the duo, riding their way to five consecutive second-place finishes, which would ultimately earn them the reserve championship.
The Performance 3'6" Working Hunters took center stage in Ring III next, with 19 entries each trying to out ride one another for the tricolors. Defending their champion title from the initial week of the Showplace Series was Tiffany Hammack and Ducati, one of many mounts that Hammack rides for owner Cassie Berke. The horse and rider duo has been competing in the division successfully over the past three weeks, claiming numerous top placings, and today was no exception. Hammack and Ducati finished strong with the first, third and fourth place finishes in the final classes of the division, which would earn them enough points to take home the top prize.
Reserve championship honors went once again to Rush Weeden, this time on Amanda Williamson's Nairobi News. The pair claimed a second over fences and a third in the hack this afternoon.
Attracting 27 exhibitors, the Performance 3'3" Working Hunters classes were the largest of the day in Ring III. While one pair was able to command the division and take the champion ribbon, three other pairs, all swapping places and finishing near the top throughout the classes, tied for the reserve championship. Lisa Goldman, more known for her expertise in the jumper ring, transitioned into the hunter ring today and proved that she is a force there as well, riding Sarah Howe's Valhalla to the win. Will Roberts aboard Alta Basaldua's Chalk Hill, Kara Raposa on Beth Bailey's Playbook, and Hillary Johnson aboard Altair Farms' Eclipse all shared the runner-up placing with an equivalent number of cumulative points.
Running throughout the day, the $2,500 Open Hunter Classic presented by Meadowview Farm was available for riders in any of the day's divisions to try their hand at winning the prize money. In typical Jayne-fashion, Maggie Jayne expertly navigated Alex Jayne's All Wrapped Up, known as "Chari" outside the show ring, to the tricolor. Moonwalk, this time ridden by Kendall Meijer, took up the second position after a solid exhibition.
A number of prominent riders were in the mix for the $2,500 Pre-Green Hunter Challenge, one of the larger money classes in the hunter ring today. Between Tracy Fenney and Dorothy Douglas, there were five MTM horses in the hunt, and with 13 in the class, the odds looked promising for MTM Farm. Fenney ultimately did end up winning the class with MTM Fashion, beating out her constituents as well as two more of her own mounts. Caitlyn Shiels, who has racked up number of wins in the past days, was a close second aboard Ashleen Lee's Cazzuta. Maggie Jayne and Ruby, owned by Pony Lane Farm, rounded out the top three.
Reaching a milestone in the equitation ring, Caitlin Boyle with the ride aboard Cassie Berke's Diagon Decaré earned the Gold Medal distinction today with her 20th win in the USEF Talent Search Medal. Boyle has dominated the class over the three weeks of the Showplace Spring Spectacular Series earning the top call in each of her three appearances.
"He is a great horse and is very scopey. I completely trust him in the ring, and he has repeatedly shown that he is more than capable of holding his own in this class," Boyle praised of the grey gelding.
With more than enough points to qualify them for the ultimate test in October, the seemingly unbeatable duo plans to attend the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals at the USET Foundation headquarters located at Hamilton Farm in Gladstone, New Jersey later this year.
WCHR Week continues at the Showplace Spring Spectacular III tomorrow with the kick off of the Junior Hunter divisions. For more information please visit: http://www.showplaceproductions.com.