Photo by Robbi Meisel (Aaron Vale and Platinum)
After a week of observation, course designer Allen Rheinheimer put all he learned about the starting field into a lengthy and technical 13 obstacle-16 effort test with a time allowance of 96 tight seconds. “It was a little bit on the snug side for sure,” chuckled Vale about the tick tock of the clock, A vast majority of the faults in round one occurred from battling the clock, with three horses retiring and six having time issues. It wasn’t until the sixth in the field of 21, Claire Lee, that the audience saw a clear round. Lee and partner High Roller posted a clean run of 91.786, which held as the only perfect ride until three rounds later when Vale and Platinum assured a jump-off with a clean 94.083 seconds. Only one other horse-and-rider combo, Tony Font and Gardenio (owned by YZ Partners, LLC) with a clean 93.776, would accompany them to the final round. Vale said, “This was surprising. When I walked the course I thought, 'Wow, we had nine clear last week, we’re going to have more clear this week.' We only got three so sometimes you just can’t tell. Allen did a great job.”
“You had quite a few turns that were different from what the horses are used to seeing, so I don’t know if that kind of had the riders and horses off a little. And the time was a factor,” Vale said of the two 70-degree angled turns. Vale, who’s based in Ocala, FL, piloted two rides in the class held in the covered Grand Prix arena of the Clay County Agricultural Center. The first being the 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding Platinum owned by ABC 4 Horses and new mount, Gregor, owned by Thinks Like A Horse, who finished round one with four faults in a time of 94.572. “Claudia Billups from Mississippi is one of the co-owners of Platinum. She’s 13 and normally shows him in the high junior jumpers and had some really good placings this past summer, but she’s stuck at school right now so I’m fortunate to inherit the ride here,” said Vale, adding with a deep laugh, “I’m keeping him fit—actually it looks like I’m having fun with him!”
It was a three-horse race going into the abbreviated 49-second final round, with Lee taking on the nine-obstacle test and chalking up another clean ride in 48.011. “Claire went around there quite quickly, but she did go around to the last line. I’ve got a seasoned horse with a lot of jump so I knew I’d go inside. Basically I was just trying to match her stride for stride and knew that the inside turn would make a difference,” said Vale. This veteran was dead on with his strategy and bested High Roller as Platinum finished fault free in a fast 44.763. Only Tony Font and Gardenio stood between Vale and the number one spot, but despite a valiant effort the pair fell short of beating the time as they finished clear in 48.858. “It really was a good class! And I hope to be back next week to try again,” Vale concluded.
Official results for the A to Z $25,000 Grand Prix were, in second place, making for a great birthday present, was owner-rider Lee and High Roller finishing clear in 48.011; third went to Font aboard Gardenio for owner YZ Partners. LLC. also clear in a time of 48.858; fourth spot was junior owner-rider Samantha Schaefer with Sugar Ray with one time fault in 97.565, and the fifth position went to Wilhelm Genn on Chantal for owner Laura Ryan-Barnaclo with four faults in 87.542.
In addition, week four of the Jacksonville Winter Series’ kicked off with one of its featured events at 7 p.m. under the lights of the covered arena with a cheering crowd and a talented field of competitors vying for bragging rights and prize money in the debut of the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) National Hunter Classic sponsored by Blue Gate Farm. Jacksonville, FL-native Megan Young partnered with Levaro and won all rights hands down in the two round event.
The newly launched program has similarities to the popular international hunter derbies. It is a two-round event, and round one—the Classic ride—is set with a minimum of 10 obstacles. Fence heights are three foot, but there are four option fences on the course set at 3’3 and 3’5. The layout also consists of at least one in-and-out, bending line, line with an unrelated distance, and a long approach. Ideally the course is to simulate one reminiscent of a hunt field, offering a variety of classic jumps with different appearances such as natural post and rail, stone walls, coops, oxers, and brush. This varied palette gave course designer Paul Jewel, of Lambertville, NJ, quite the challenge in creating his work of art, and judges Tucker Ericson, Claudia Rolland, and Keith Hastings the difficult task of selecting the best interpretation.
Megan Young was third in the order with first ride Sundance, owned by Juliana Keaton, and the pleasing pair landed an 81 plus 4 bonus points for a total first round score of 85. Three horses later and it was Amanda Forte riding the Journey’s End Farm of Glenmore, PA-entry Paramount to capture the lead with an 86 and 4 bonus points to overtake Young with a score of 90. Levaro and Young were the last duo of the initial round, laying down a solid ride, which the judges rewarded with a total of 87 points. “Jump one was a little spooky and scary because it was made of hay bales with a log on top! Plus I think one of the biggest challenges was just the way the ring was set up, with the banners on the sides and then jumping the oxers off the bending line towards that wall.” Young added of the first course, “The third fence was so far away that I’m sure some people got a little anxious there too.”
A handy hunter course was set for the 12 entries returning in round two. Ideally this layout is designed to mimic riding over a hunt countryside and requires a minimum of two handy options, such as tight turns, different tracks, clever options for jump approaches, trotting over a lowered jump [not to exceed 2’6], and hand galloping a jump, while still offering a total of four option fences set at 3’3 to 3’5. Jewel’s 10 obstacles didn’t fail to meet expectations.
“The trot jump probably got a few people,” Young added with a giggle. “It’s always hard for me!” Proud mom and trainer Katie Young cheerfully agreed with a wink. Though this evening Young had no issues with the trot fence or any of the optional fences, as evidence by second round scores of 85 plus 10 bonus points aboard Sundance and 83 plus 11 bonus point with Levaro, when added to the first round scores Young found herself in both first and second places. Levaro nudged out Sundance with a 181 to 180 finish. Young didn’t hesitate to give credit to several around her, including Levaro, the 11-year-old Hessian gelding owned by Rachel Herman, who trains with Young’s mother, Katie, at Coriander Farm. The gelding was described by both daughter and mother as “Very versatile! Jack of all trades! Rachel purchased him from Eric Lamaze to be her Children’s Jumper—which he does well—and now he’s doing hunters too.” Young expressed a sincere gratitude to her mom and assistant, Nashea Powell Rowland, as well as both horses’ owners for allowing her the opportunity to ride “very special horses.” And she concluded by saying, “I’m excited to win the first National Classic and hope the program keeps growing.”
Official results for the USHJA Hunter Classic
1st Place: Megan Young and Levaro, owned by Rachel Herman
2nd Place: Megan Young and Sundance, owned by Juliana Keaton
3rd Place: Mackenzie McGehee and Chappie, owned by Centennial Farms
4th Place: Nikki Diamantis and Valentine, owned by Nikki Diamantis
5th Place: Brooke Price and Kassandra, owned by Devon Walther
6th Place: Abigail Wujek and Magic Man, owned by Abigail Wujek
7th Place: Landrie Folsom and Just Abou,t Perfect owned by Landrie Folsom
8th Place: Lee Avera and Landstorm, owned by Lee Avera
The Jacksonville Winter Series continues through February 7 with classes Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 8 a.m. until about 5 p.m., except for special events on Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. Admission to the shows is free. Parking at special weekend events is a $5 donation, which goes to support local charities.
For more information or results on the 2010 Jacksonville Winter Series, please visit www.classiccompany.com or call the show office at (904) 284-1579.