Richie Moloney and Alsvid (Rebecca Walton/PhelpsSports.com)
"It's great, and it's a very good atmosphere here," smiled Moloney after his victory. "It's a fun class, and there's good money too!"
Twenty-two horse and rider combinations tackled the Guilherme Jorge track with numbered fences 1-9. If they jumped an obstacle without error they would add that obstacle's number to their point total, but if they lowered it, that number would be subtracted. At the end of the course, riders had the opportunity to jump a final fence worth 10 points, or the higher "joker" fence, which would add 20 points if jumped correctly, or subtract 20 points if knocked down.
Eight entries managed to clear all the fences on course and the joker fence for a total of 65 points, and they were separated by their time over the track. Belgium's Nicola Philippaerts, dressed as a doctor, was the first to break the 50-second mark aboard H&M Harley Van De Bisschop, owned by Ludo Philippaerts and Ben Beevers. The pair completed the track and cleared the joker fence in 49.98 seconds.
Ireland's Conor Swail as a green orc tried to catch Nicola's time with Susan and Ariel Grange's Martha Louise, but he was just a touch too slow, breaking the beam at 50.75 seconds, for the eventual fourth place award. Another Philippaerts brother would slip ahead of him. Olivier Philippaerts dressed as the Easter bunny on Ludo Philippaerts and Gerald Nothdurft's H&M Legends of Love stopped the clock at 50.47 seconds to take over the third place position.
None of the riders could touch the time laid down by Moloney though. He and Alsvid, owned by Equinimity LLC, made an especially tight rollback to the eighth fence and managed to take the lead from Nicola with a time of 47.71 seconds, scoring the blue ribbon.
"I didn't get a chance to see anybody," admitted Moloney. "I just know my horse. I heard the numbers that everybody did, and everything came up perfectly. I think I left out strides around the turns. It was a little bit risky [to 8] if it didn't come up, but it came up very nicely. This horse has been so consistent this summer. He's been great. He's gotten one or two results at every show he's gone to all summer."
Madison Goetzmann and Wrigley (Rebecca Walton/PhelpsSports.com)
Despite it being her first time competing in the Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper division at the CP National Horse Show, Madison Goetzmann came into the year-end horse show with the confidence, and that confidence is paying off ten-fold. On Friday night, Goetzmann claimed her second consecutive win of the week, securing the victory in the $5,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers, presented by the Nusz family.
"My horse, right when she walks in the ring, she's committed to getting the job done," Goetzmann said of her mare, Wrigley. "That just gives me all the confidence in the world to go in there and ride a smooth and efficient round. I definitely have all the confidence on this horse to go in and win now."
The importance of that confidence is something consistently instilled in her by her trainers, Stacia Madden in the equitation and John and Beezie Madden in the jumpers.
"They tell me basically, you can get the job done if you believe in yourself and have confidence," Goetzmann said. "All three of them are amazing trainers, and they see eye to eye on things. I feel like I have the best trainers in both divisions. It's definitely very helpful, and I'm grateful for the opportunity."
From the field of 34 starters, Goetzmann and Wrigley were one of 13 combinations to advance to the jump-off round without fault, and they would pave the way to the lead from beginning to end. The duo returned first for the jump-off, finishing quick and clear in a time of 31.676. Two trips later, Hayley Waters and No Doubt, gave Goetzmann a run for her money, producing a double clear effort in 32.848 seconds - a time that would end up being good enough for fourth place.
Just two trips later Kelli Cruciotti and Zidante bested Waters and No Doubt's time, tripping the timers in 32.533 seconds and taking the eventual third place spot, while the very next duo in the ring, Adrienne Sternlicht and Quidam MB, would slide into second with a time of 31.778 seconds.
Jumper competition will continue on Saturday with the $15,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Championship and the $30,000 Under 25 Championship Final. Leading the way heading into the Under 25 Championship Final after two rounds is Lucy Deslauriers, carrying zero faults. Current rider penalties of the front-running group are as follows:
0 Lucy Deslauriers and Hester
1 Catherine Tyree and Enjoy Louis
2 Katherine Strauss and All In
2 Sima Morgello and Orientales
3 Ali Tritschler and Fantasy
4 Eugenio Garza and Bariano
5 Hunter Holloway and VDL Bravo S
7 Nicole Bellissimo and Harley David
8 Hayley Waters and Qurint
8 Jennifer Gates and Cadence
8 Kelli Cruciotti and Chamonix H
The main highlight of the week will be Sunday afternoon, when the best athletes in the world will compete in the $250,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Lexington, presented by CP.
RESULTS: $35,000 Accumulator Costume Class
1 481 ALSVID RICHIE MOLONEY 65.700
2 578 H&M HARLEY VAN DE BISSCHOP NICOLA PHILIPPAERTS 65.600
3 576 H&M LEGEND OF LOVE OLIVIER PHILIPPAERTS 65.500
4 474 MARTHA LOUISE CONOR SWAIL 65.400
5 484 HICKSTEAD'S AXEL SHARN WORDLEY 65.300
6 258 CONSTABLE LAURA KRAUT 65.200
7 295 CALL ME HANNES DAVID BEISEL 65.100
8 271 CHECKPOINT U KATHERINE DINAN 65.000
9 273 NAVALO DE POHETON SCHUYLER RILEY 56.000
10 266 INDIGO MARGIE ENGLE 55.100
11 257 FLAMING STAR CHARLIE JACOBS 55.000
12 284 HH CARLOS Z MCLAIN WARD 25.600
$5,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers
1 964 WRIGLEY MADISON GOETZMANN 0 0 0 70.070 0 0 0 31.676
2 683 QUIDAM MB ADRIENNE STERNLICHT 0 0 0 75.554 0 0 0 31.778
3 623 ZIDANTE KELLI CRUCIOTTI 0 0 0 71.237 0 0 0 32.533
4 631 NO DOUBT HAYLEY WATERS 0 0 0 71.589 0 0 0 32.848
5 625 BETTY BOOP III AILISH CUNNIFFE 0 0 0 71.810 0 0 0 33.261
6 610 WILD CARD KATIE TYLER 0 0 0 75.280 0 0 0 35.289
7 834 SANDOR DE LA POMME EVE JOBS 0 0 0 73.310 4 0 4 31.087
8 990 BIGSHOT CALLIE SMITH 0 0 0 75.035 4 0 4 34.232
9 817 DON'T GO CATHERINE TYREE 0 0 0 72.896 4 3 7 45.262
10 647 VORNADO VAN DEN HOENDRIK VIVIAN YOWAN 0 0 0 72.177 8 0 8 33.291
11 624 WALLENBERG KELLI CRUCIOTTI 0 0 0 73.309 8 0 8 34.404
12 682 PROVIDENCE ADRIENNE STERNLICHT 0 0 0 72.030 8 0 8 37.532
Alex Trolli and Hey Sailor (Emily Riden/PhelpsSports.com)
This week marked Alex Trolli's first time competing at the CP National Horse Show, and it is sure to be one that she will not forget. In her inaugural appearance at the year-end final, 18-year-old Trolli rode away with the Junior 3'3" Hunter Championship.
"It's pretty amazing," Trolli said of winning the CP National Horse Show championship in her first attempt. "It's against all the top riders so it feels like an accomplishment; it's very tough competition."
The young rider from Clarence, New York, rode the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center's Hey Sailor to the first place blue ribbon in the Junior 3'3" Hunter Handy and to third place finishes in both the first over fences round and the under saddle.
"Yesterday, everything was on and perfect," Trolli said speaking of her winning and third place rounds on Thursday. "I love [this horse show]. There's lots of shopping, there are great prizes, there's top competition and the courses are hard but manageable. It's been fun."
Trolli has trained out of Buffalo, New York, with SBS Farms for many years, and she credits their knowledge and expertise with helping her achieve major accomplishments, including the CP National Horse Show championship.
"I train with Alicia Heberle, Susie Schoellkopf and Jennifer Alfano," Trolli said. "They all give me really good advice, and it is kind of like a family."
Finishing in reserve behind Trolli and Hey Sailor were Emma Ecklin of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Forever. The pair claimed the first place honor in the under saddle and second and fourth place finishes over fences before picking up the reserve tricolor.
In addition to the conclusion of the Junior 3'3" Hunters, Friday marked the start of the Junior 3'6" Hunter divisions. These final Junior Hunters divisions will award their championships on Saturday afternoon following the first round of the prestigious ASPCA Maclay National Championship.
The inaugural Leo Conroy grant recipients: Janelle Henningsen, Kayla Lott, Rebecca Kozma, Sunny Drescher, Madison Day, Jordyn Hechter and Bailey Smith.(Emily Riden/PhelpsSports.com)
Seven deserving teenage equestrians were awarded the all-new Leo Conroy Maclay Grant to help them meet expenses to participate in the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Championships at the CP National Horse Show. Riders had to qualify for the finals at regional competitions and submit an essay with their grant application.
The ASPCA Maclay Finals begin with the first round Saturday, Oct. 31 kicking off at 6:30 a.m. Then Sunday, Nov. 1 at 8:30 a.m., the top 30 qualified riders will compete in the flat phase, followed by the final round over fences and additional testing at the judges' discretion.
The seven Leo Conroy Maclay Grant recipients are: Sunny Drescher, 18, of Hinesburg, Vermont; Madison Day, 18, Brook, New Jersey; Jordyn Hechter, 17, San Diego, California; Bailey Smith, 18, Portland, Oregon; Janelle Henningsen, 17, Greenwood Village, Colorado; Kayla Lott, 16, Camarillo, California, and Rebecca Kozma, 17, Streamwood, Illinois.
"I'm really honored to receive this grant because this is one of my favorite horse shows. It emphasizes so much the importance of taking good care of your horse, which is really important to me," said Drescher. "It's great for Leo Conroy to be honored in this way because he was such a great contributor to the sport."
Hechter also said she was honored, particularly because the award promotes the welfare of the horse. "I usually do a ton of grooming and do everything for my horse," she said. "I haven't traveled out of state before, so the grant really helped me accomplish my dream."
For Hechter, Lott and Smith, competing in the finals required a coast-to-coast trip. "Where I'm from (Oregon), it's a long haul, and I'm very grateful to have this opportunity," said Smith.
Day said she was honored to receive the grant, adding that it "made it possible for me to come to the horse show. I came last year, and I really love the show."
Henningsen worked over the summer at a roofing company to pay for the remainder of the expenses, and she continues to work during the school year as a hostess at a restaurant. "I've been dreaming of this for more than five years, and I've watched this every single year. I never thought I'd make it," she said.
Kozma shared that sentiment. "I'm excited to be here," she said. "I've been watching this for years, thinking, 'I want to do that.' Now I'm living it, and it's just such a great experience."
Lott said she found competing at the CP National Horse Show "a little overwhelming, being here with all these people." She added, "But I like having everyone around. We're all so similar; everyone loves horses. Getting to watch the bigger classes in person, rather than just on your computer, is great."
The National Horse Show established the Leo Conroy Maclay Grant to commemorate Conroy's loyalty and dedication to the CP National Horse Show and to the ASPCA Maclay Finals. Co-manager of the National Horse Show and Chairman of the ASPCA Maclay Finals, he passed away in January, 2015. The CP National Horse Show and the ASPCA Maclay Finals both held a special place in his heart, having been a rider and equitation trainer for most of his life.
The Leo Conroy Maclay Grant is open to riders who qualify to compete in the ASPCA Maclay Finals through the regional competitions. Selected riders receive entry fees and stabling at the ASPCA Maclay Finals and an additional stipend to cover show-related expenses at the CP National Horse Show ($2,000 value).
"We couldn't think of a better way to honor our friend and colleague," said Mason Phelps, Jr., president of the National Horse Show Foundation. "This grant will keep his name alive long after many of us have departed and will continue to benefit young and upcoming riders for years and years to come."
For additional information on the CP National Horse Show, please visit www.nhs.org.