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One-Two Win for Callan Solem in HITS Culpeper $40,000 Grand Prix

by Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International | Apr 28, 2011, 3:28 PM

Callan Solem was victorious in the $40,000 Grand Prix with Magic Cruise at HITS Culpeper. (Photo by Rebecca Walton/PMG).
Callan Solem was victorious in the $40,000 Grand Prix with Magic Cruise at HITS Culpeper. (Photo by Rebecca Walton/PMG).
Culpeper, VA - Callan Solem took both first and second place in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix on Sunday, April 24. Solem was the only rider to complete double-clear efforts in the Commonwealth National Park finale. The Chester Springs, PA-based rider advanced to the jump-off in the show's highlight event after riding fault-free first-rounds over Danny Foster's course with both Magic Cruise and VDL Torlando. She was then the single competitor to leave all the fences standing following the jump-off. Solem and VDL Torlando crossed the finish line in 46.835 seconds - good enough for second place. Magic Cruise and Solem's time of 45.092 seconds earned the winning trophy.

"They both went really well!" said Solem. "It is certainly a privilege to have 'Cruise' and 'Dennis' (VDL Torlando). They make my job easy and I am really looking forward to the rest of the 2011 schedule. I am just so grateful to have such outstanding horses to ride and show."

VDL Torlando also earned two other second place ribbons during this week's events. Solem and her stallion had fault free rounds during the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix to place second, and then Solem showed Torlando to a second-place finish in the Level 7 Jumpers. The class proved to be another one-two win for Solem, who was victorious aboard VDL Wizard. Solem also secured a first-place finish in the 7&8-Year-Old Young Jumper Championship with the young Dutch gelding.

"Wizard is really something special and I am excited for the future with him," commented Solem. "He is one of the most talented horses that I have ever ridden and he was really born to do Show Jumping. He is so much fun!"

In the hunter ring, Solem was also Low Hunter Champion on Icy Mena, owned by Redfield Farm. She also took home the reserve championship prize for her ride aboard Horseshoe Trail Farm's Balladeer, who placed first and second.

Another reserve championship went to Solem's youngest student, Lee Lee McNeil. She showed Cosmic, owned by Nicole Shahinian-Simpson, in the Small/Medium Pony Hunter division.

Callan Solem Show Stables is now preparing for the Garden State and St. Christopher's Horse Shows.

Callan Solem Show Stables is a hunter/jumper/equitation operation based in Chester Springs, PA, headed by international grand prix rider Callan Solem For more information about Callan Solem and Callan Solem Show Stables, please call 610-827-9003 or visit http://www.callansolem.com/.

ENDS