Caitie Hope's winning momentum from last year has followed her into 2009, and last week she rode her way into the winner's circle once again. Hope of Barrington, IL, competed at the Lake St. Louis Horse Show in St. Louis, MO, and executed consistent rounds for top ribbons. She trains with Diane Carney at Telluride Farm, based in Hampshire, IL.

Hope piloted Cinch, owned by Kathleen Hope, in the Large Junior 16-17 Hunter division and came away with the overall championship. The pair earned two blue ribbons, two seconds, and was third in the under saddle. In addition, Hope took top honors in both junior hunter classics with consistent scores of 84.

She then dominated the equitation classes aboard Carmachon, winning the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search, the ASPCA Maclay, the USEF Medal, both phases of the WIHS Equitation class, and the WIHS overall.

"We had quite a strong weekend," commented Carney. "Our main goal is consistency, and we are focusing on the equitation and the jumpers this year. I think Caitie is really on schedule for her year-end goal, to stay competitive in the equitation on a national level."

"What's interesting to me is that Caitie is able to maintain her concentration, no matter where she is. Whether we're showing at Devon, Harrisburg, Chicago or St. Louis, I think her ability to focus is something she's developed over time," stated Carney. "I think it's a tribute to our program over the last 10 years, as well as the experience she gained from showing in Calgary at Spruce Meadows. Her focus and consistency really help her at the harder venues, like Wellington and indoors, where it's more of an intense environment."

"Caitie is always dressed to walk and has her equipment with her, so there are no distractions from little things, like wondering where your spurs are or where you put your whip," she noted. "She never goes to the ring with a recreational mindset, and I think that's a big part of it."

Hope also earned ninth place in the $25,000 Grand Prix on Ozaliat, owned by Janet Sassmannshausen. Earlier in the week, the pair pinned third and fourth in the High Junior Jumper division.

Hope will compete this upcoming weekend at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. She will train with Heritage Farm and Andre Dignelli for the week and focus on the equitation classes.

"This will be our first opportunity to work with Heritage Farm, and we're looking really forward to it," added Carney. "It's a privilege to work with Andre, and I'm excited for a student of mine to have such an educational opportunity. She hasn't shown in Wellington since the International Hunter Derby last year, and I think it will be a fun challenge for her."

Carney is based out of Hampshire, IL, at her hunter/jumper show stable, Telluride Farm. She has been both an active participant and influential trainer in the hunter and jumper community for many years. Her contributions to the industry extend to the many clinics that she teaches every year, in addition to those that she hosts annually for U.S. Show Jumping Chef d'Equipe George H. Morris and top hunter/jumper trainer Don Stewart, Jr.