Nick Skelton and Carlo 273. Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Earlier in the day, Chase Boggio took the win in the WIHS Equitation Classic Finals, while Victoria Colvin rode Waminka to the win in the $10,000 SJHOF Ambassador's Cup High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic and Michael Hughes with Red Hot won the $5,000 Senator's Cup Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic.
Tonight's class was the highlight of the week at the WIHS, which finishes tomorrow with competition for the pony hunters, the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals, and the WIHS Regional Finals.
Skelton and Carlo 273, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Contender, were the last to go clear in the opening round of 24 entries over a course designed by Michel Vaillancourt of Aiken, SC. First up in the jump-off was Davis on Nemo 119, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Cambridge owned by Old Oak Farm. They had two rails to finish with eight faults in 39.74 seconds for third place.
"I only brought one horse, so the days leading up to today were all in preparation for this class," Davis said. "Being from California I have not shown indoors much and I haven’t really done any big indoor grand prix, so it was just kind of going in for experience and trying to do as well as I could."
Davis purchased Nemo 119 from Nick Skelton two years ago, and they had a stellar winter season, winning four grand prix events. She said of her horse, "He is very fun and very talented. A little quirky, but he has really taught me a lot, so I am really thankful for that."
Brianne Goutal and Nice de Prissey, a 10-year-old Selle Francais stallion by Rosire owned by Remarkable Farms LP, had an unfortunate rail for four faults in 43.00 seconds, but that would hold up for second place.
Goutal commented, "I had a little bit of a rough week, so I almost didn't show, but I had to stop feeling sorry for myself and try one more time. The plan was really just to finish and to finish as well as I could. My horse has been amazing all week and he was amazing tonight. I thought the course was really fair. Michel has been building great all week. My plan was literally just to cross both timers."
Margie Engle (USA) followed next on Indigo, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Indoctro owned by Griese/Garber/Hidden Creek and Gladewinds. They dropped two rails for eight faults and with a slower time of 40.41 seconds, they would place fourth.
Last to go, Skelton knew that he had to produce a clear jumping round for the win. He took some extra time, but it was enough for victory. He and Carlo 273 stopped the timers in 46.32 seconds with two time faults.
"Actually I don't like those jump offs when there are no clears and you have to go last," Skelton admitted. "You can make a mistake. If they had all been clear, at least you can go in there and go faster, but when you are in that position you have to be careful. I prefer to have other clears, to have to go fast and attack. Also the time was very tight, so I got two time faults. It was a good class. The horse jumped great and I thought the course was fair for the amount of riders that were in it."
Skelton described Carlo as a "very talented horse." He continued, "He is very careful. He has all the jump and he has a great mind. He really wants to do it, so that makes my life easier."
Skelton said that Carlo has not shown indoors for a couple of years, but didn't have a problem coming to the WIHS. They have had a great year, Skelton said, "from Wellington to the European Championships." They will continue on the indoor circuit at the Alltech National Horse Show and the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto.
For their victory, Skelton and Carlo 273 were presented with the President of the United States Perpetual Cup. As Leading Jumper Rider, Skelton also won the Margaret Chovnick Memorial Trophy. Skelton was named the Leading International Rider as well.
All three riders said they look forward to competing at the WIHS every year. Davis mentioned, "I have come for the past five years, and did the ponies and eq finals and juniors. It is really special for me because I have a lot of family in the city so they can come and watch. I also think that this year has been great as far as crowds. It was definitely much improved and I will definitely come back next year."
Skelton has been competing at the WIHS since the 80s, and noted, "We have a nice time when we're here."
Goutal, who started showing at the WIHS in 1995 on ponies, explained, "It has always kind of been one of the peak stops in my year. It has always been a very important finals for us. It is a very patriotic event, and it is prestigious. I think they did an amazing job this year running the show. It has had a revamping in the past two years and it is really nice to see a big crowd come and support the show. They have been working really hard at getting the numbers up and they have really done it this year. It is just a great show to come to. I look forward to it every year."
The 2011 WIHS Equitation Classic Finals concluded this evening with a significant win for 18-year-old Chase Boggio, of Canton, GA. Boggio rode Massimo, his ten-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Cassini, through the first two phases of competition, finishing with a score of 85.33 in the hunter phase and an 89 point total in the jumper phase. Returning for the final work-off sitting in second place overall, Boggio’s ride aboard Elizabeth Benson's mount Calito 7 scored an 87.83, giving him a three round total of 262.166 for the win. ?
Boggio earned the victory over Hayley Barnhill, of Collierville, TN, who totaled 259.999 with scores of 87, 86.67, and 86.33. Barnhill rode Elizabeth MacWilliam’s Camora in the hunter/jumper rounds and then piloted Boggio's mount Massimo in the final work-off.
Third place went to Elizabeth Benson, of Whitehouse Station, NJ, with a three round total of 258.499. Benson rode Horizon Hill Farm LLC's Calito 7 to scores of 87 and 90.33 in the first two rounds. Her ride in the final work-off aboard Sarah Milliren’s mount Vancouver, owned by Elvenstar Farm, scored an 81.17.?
Boggio was presented The WIHS Equitation Classic Trophy donated by Mr. and Mrs. G. Ralph Ours, III and was awarded a pair of custom chaps provided by Journeymen Saddlers, Ltd. Tonight's victory was particularly exciting for the rider given that he had previously been in the top ten for this class three times before finally putting his name on the elite list of winners. He finished seventh in 2008, second in 2009, and eighth in 2010. ?
Massimo was awarded The Lugano Memorial Trophy donated by Stoney Hill as the winning horse of the night. In last year’s competition, Massimo helped put rider Lillie Keenan in the winner’s circle after she rode the big gray in the final work-off. This year he carried both the first and second place finishers through excellent rounds. Trainer Christina Schlusemeyer found the talented gelding in Europe two years ago and knew that he would be the perfect horse to guide Boggio to a national championship.?
"I purchased Massimo in November of 2009, and he has been amazing for me," Boggio explained. "When I tried him in Europe he was very green and could not canter in a straight line. I told Christina he could never do the equitation, but she said 'He'll do it, just watch.' He has just been so easy; he never does anything bad. Massimo truly is the deluxe equitation horse."
Commenting on his victory, Boggio smiled, "It means a lot to win here. I've been second in pretty much every big class that there is in the United States, so it feels good to finally win one.”"
"I got very lucky," he added. "I honestly think that it was fate because I got switched on to Calito, who I leased last year. He's an amazing horse and it only took me three jumps to get to know him again. I was really happy with him, and Massimo of course."
Schlusemeyer proudly commented on Boggio's success, declaring, "This is our happiest day to date. Chase is such a hard worker. He takes it seriously, and he should be a good example to all other equitation riders - if you want it, you can get it."
Second place finisher Hayley Barnhill spoke about her ride on Massimo, noting, "I was really happy with Chase's horse. He's a big strided horse and I thought he was great."
One of Barnhill's trainers, Missy Clark, explained that her rider had an unexpected horse change right before this week's competition. Barnhill got her top finish riding not just one, but two unknown horses - a true testament to her skill and composure in the show ring.?
"Hayley has never shown Camora, so she had two that she had never ridden before, but she was amazing," Clark stated. "She rode like a true double national champion; she really rose to the occasion. We were graciously loaned Camora at the last minute, and you don't see that generosity very often."
Judge Steve Wall remarked on the ability of the top two riders, acknowledging, "These two have always been near the top and today was their day; the cream rises to the top. There are riding styles in the two of them that are more polished and more finished."
Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers Compete in Classics
The $10,000 Ambassador's Cup High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic was sponsored by AAA Equestrian LLC, and it was Victoria Colvin who came away with the win on Waminka, owned by Rivers Edge. They were the only double clear in a jump-off of four entries. Olinda and Genevieve Zock were second, while Liza Finsness on Ormsby Hill was third.
Colvin was presented with yet another trophy in a week of incredible success for the 14-year-old rider from Loxahatchee, FL. For the classic, she won the Ambassador's Cup Perpetual Trophy donated by Ambassador and Mrs. Marion H. Smoak.
Colvin won the Grand Junior Hunter championship yesterday and was named Best Child Rider on a Horse. She said of her wins, "I'm excited. I think the best thing was Best Junior Rider. It meant a lot to me."
In the jump-off, Colvin wanted to attempt a tricky inside turn and knew her plan. "I think I had a good plan," she agreed. "I watched the last class, so I got to see a lot do the jump-off. I was just going to try and do what they did. I did the inside turn. She hit it and it was almost on the ground. I thought if I was slow to the one jump, I thought she could make that turn."
Colvin started showing Waminka, an eight-year-old KWPN mare by Fedor, in the High Junior Jumpers this winter. She remarked, "She's fun. She jumps so high! It's cool to have won here (again)."
The High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper champion was Banana d'Ive Z, ridden by Meagan Nusz. They were awarded the Greenberg Challenge Trophy donated by Mr. and Mrs. Hermen Greenberg. Waminka and Colvin were reserve champions. The Shalanno Style of Riding Award was given to Samantha Schaefer.
In the $5,000 Senator's Cup Low Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic sponsored by North Star, Michael Hughes of Allendale, NJ rode Drumnacross Farm Ltd.'s Red Hot to victory. They finished the jump-off double clear in 33.237 seconds for the win over Gabrielle Stern on Anjelica, who stopped the timers in 33.903 seconds for second place. Third place went to Sugar Ray and Samantha Schaefer, who had a clear round in 34.455 seconds.
For their win, Hughes and Red Hot were presented with the Swan Lake Perpetual Trophy donated by Beagle Brook Farm in honor of the 1992 winner Swan Lake, ridden by Jennifer F. Miller.
The Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Champion sponsored by North Star was Red Hot, ridden by Michael Hughes. Samantha Schaefer and Sugar Ray were the reserve champions. They won the Foxbrook Perpetual Trophy in honor of Space Citation donated by Joy Slater.
Hughes has been riding Red Hot, a 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Indoctro, for two years. "He's very red hot," Hughes laughed. "He's so much fun to ride and he's such a great teacher in the jump-offs because he's so fast."
Hughes said of the class, "The course was very difficult; I didn't think there was going to be as many clear as there was, but there were so many good horses and riders in the class. I kept the same pace the whole way around. I never really slowed down. He is very careful, you just have to watch the last couple of jumps."
The Washington International Horse Show concludes tomorrow with a day full of pony competition as well as the WIHS Regional Finals.
For full results, more information, or to watch a free live feed of the show, please visit www.wihs.org.
Final Results: $100,00 President's Cup Grand Prix, CSI 3*-W presented by Events DC
1 17 NICK SKELTON GBR CARLO 273: 0/2/46.32
BEVERLEY WIDDOWSON
2 21 BRIANNE GOUTAL USA NICE DE PRISSEY: 0/4/43.00
REMARKABLE FARMS LP
3 87 LUCY DAVIS USA NEMO 119: 0/8/39.74
OLD OAK FARM
4 60 MARGIE ENGLE USA INDIGO: 0/8/40.41
GRIESE/GARBER/HIDDEN CREE
5 85 RICHIE MOLONEY IRL SLIEVEANORRA: 4/58.86
EQUINIMITY LLC
6 18 SCOTT BRASH GBR BON AMI: 4/62.22
LIZ MCTAGGART
7 46 LAURA KRAUT USA TEIRRA: 4/62.73
STARS & STRIPES
8 89 PAULO SANTANA BRA TALOUBET: 4/62.76
JENNIFER SANTANA
9 64 SAER COULTER USA VICTORY DA: 5/66.93
COPERNICUS STABLES
10 79 MARIE HECART FRA MYSELF DE BREVE: 5/67.00
HARAS DE LA ROQUE
11 40 LJUBOV KOCHETOVA RUS ROYCE: 5/67.41
LJUBOV KOCHETOVA
12 56 TODD MINIKUS USA PAVAROTTI: 8/63.98
TODD MINIKUS
Final Results: WIHS Equitation Classic Finals
1 735 Chase Boggio 262.166
Scores : 85.33, 89.00, 87.83
2 739 Hayley Barnhill 259.999
Scores : 87.00, 86.67, 86.33
3 748 Elizabeth Benson 258.499
Scores : 87.00, 90.33, 81.17
4 749 Meg O'mara 256.416
Scores : 84.50, 82.92, 89.00
5 781 Sarah Milliren 252.916
Scores : 82.25, 90.00, 80.67
6 740 Charlotte Jacobs 250.748
Scores : 86.42, 85.67, 78.67
7 731 Shawn Casady 250.199
Scores : 87.67, 82.20, 80.33
8 763 Allison Toffolon 243.999
Scores : 83.00, 82.67, 78.33
9 755 Lauren Tyree 242.999
Scores : 85.83, 86.83, 70.33
10 213 Victoria Colvin 242.083
Scores : 83.33, 82.75, 76.00
Final Results: $10,000 SJHOF Ambassador's Cup High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic sponsored by AAA Equestrian LLC
1 590 VICTORIA COLVIN WAMINKA: 0/0/35.985
RIVERS EDGE
2 66 GENEVIEVE ZOCK OLINDA: 0/4/35.826
GENEVIEVE ZOCK
3 236 LIZA FINSNESS ORMSBY HILL: 0/4/39.430
LIZA FINSNESS
4 307 KATIE DINAN BELLE DAME D: 0/12/35.831
GRANT ROAD PARTNERS LLC
5 121 CALLIE MORGAN SMITH CAPTAIN KRUTZMANN: 2/67.303
SMITHFIELD FARMS
6 156 MEAGAN NUSZ BANANA D'IVE Z: 4/60.360
TNT EQUINE PARTNERS
7 258 GABRIELLE BAUSANO UBICO H: 4/60.657
GABRIELLE BAUSANO
8 339 CHASE BOGGIO HENNESSEY: 4/60.674
CHASE BOGGIO
Final Results: $5,000 Senator's Cup Low Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic sponsored by North Star
1 204 MICHAEL HUGHES RED HOT: 0/0/33.237
DRUMNACROSS FARM LTD
2 441 GABRIELLE STERN ANJELICA: 0/0/33.903
GABRIELLE STERN
3 554 SAMANTHA SCHAEFER SUGAR RAY: 0/0/34.455
SAMANTHA SCHAEFER
4 490 LILLIE KEENAN FIREWORK: 0/0/34.756
CHANSONETTE FARM LLC
5 238 HARRISON SHURE COUNT ON ME 5: 0/0/34.909
HARRISON SHURE
6 640 CATHERINE WACHTELL VDL LAS VEGAS: 0/4/33.168
CATHERINE WACHTELL
7 667 LAUREL BLAKEMORE WALK THE LINE: 0/4/36.404
LAUREL BLAKEMORE
8 268 ALLISON FITHIAN WENDA AK : 0/8/33.747
SORENSEN STABLES