HARRISBURG, PA – October 22, 2010 – The 2010 Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Equitation Medal Final presented by Randolph College was contested on Sunday at the 65th Annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show.The day began with 208 riders performing over a technical course designed and judged by George Morris and Julie Winkel.
The first round course began with an oxer followed by a bending line to a split rail fence that foiled many riders who miscalculated the inside track. After four rounds of competition Hayley Barnhill riding Podest was named the winner, narrowly beating out Samantha Schaefer riding Pioneer who took second.
Following the completion of the first round, 28 riders were called back for round two, riding over the same course of nine jumps in reverse order. After a tough fought battle over fences Barnhill, Schaefer, Chase Boggio, Molly Brasswell, Lucy Davis, Shawn Casady and Cayla Richards were called back to perform on the flat.
With both Schaefer and Barnhill executing near perfect across the three prior phases, the judge’s asked that they remain in the ring for further testing. The riders were asked to dismount, trade horses, re-mount unassisted and jump the second round course without a warm-up. Barnhill rode the course with the same skill and finesse she had demonstrated in previous rounds aboard her own horse and was named the winner.
Final Results:
1. Hayley Barnhill
2. Samantha Schaefer
3. Molly Brasswell
4. Lucy Davis
5. Chase Boggio
6. Shawn Casady
7. Cayla Richards
8. Laura Pfeiffer
9. Victoria Birdsall
10. Michael Hughes
WELLINGTON, FL – September 29, 2010 – The 2010 ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships concluded this weekend with the final competitions held in Regions 1, 2, and 4. Championship honors were awarded to Samantha Smith, Amber Henter, and Shawn Casady for their fantastic rides in each of their respective regions.
Region 4 concluded the regional competitions in the Midwest at the Kentucky National Horse Show in Wayne, IL. Hosting the top junior riders from the states of IL, IN, KY, MI, and OH, the competition presented the championship award to Shawn Casady of Harrimon, IL. Samantha Oliva of Kildeer, IL finished in reserve. Region 4 judges included Susie Schoellkopf and Scott Williamson.
The ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship class has been held since 1933, and it is one of the most prestigious competitions for junior riders in the United States. From each Regional Final a percentage of all winners will advance to the year-end National Championships. Its winners are some of the biggest names in equestrian sport. Previous winners include: William Steinkraus in 1941, Frank Chapot (1948), George Morris (1952), Leslie Burr Howard (1972), Stacia Klein Madden in 1987, and Nicole Shahinian Simpson in 1992. The 2008 ASPCA Maclay National Championship winner was Jessica Springsteen of Colts Neck, NJ, and in 2009 Zazou Hoffman, of Santa Monica, CA, was named the winner.
The 2010 ASPCA Maclay National Championship will be held on November 7th at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament featuring the 127th National Horse Show. For more information, please visit www.syarcuseinvitational.com or www.nhs.org.
Midwest, Region 4
1. Shawn Casady, Harrimon, TN
2. Samantha Oliva, Kildeer, IL
3. Paulena Johnson, Wellington, FL
4. Emily Van Der Walde, Ann Arbor, MI
5. Alyssa Mansfield, Wellington, FL
6. Haley Buchmiller, Bartlett, IL
7. Caitlyn Boyle, Hampshire, IL
8. Kelsey Thatcher, Bluffdale, UT
9. Catherine Hanlon, Chicago, IL
10. Leylan Gleeson, Moreland Hills, OH
Written by Lauren Fisher · Filed Under Lauren Fisher, NHS, Syracuse Sport Horse, USA
“Let Them Ride”, article by Maria Sitzman for the Times Sentinel
August 18, 2010 – Horses pranced and feet stomped in anticipation as riders prepared to embark on the 33rd annual Traders Point Hunt Grand Prix. With a series of jumps as tall as six feet, both riders and horses faced an intense challenge in afternoon heat on Sunday, Aug. 15.
The first round of the Grand Prix left four riders and five horses for the final Jump-Off round. Veteran competitor Margie Engle of West Palm Beach, Fla., won with Lord Spezi, owned by the Ashland family and Stadium Sport Horses.
The crowds were thrilled, with fans seeking Engle out after the competition to ask for her autograph or a photo with her. Each fence knocked down (a fault) brought a wave of disappointed gasps from the transfixed spectators, and the applause was loud each time a horse and rider completed the circuit.
“(Riding) is such a challenge, it never gets boring,” said Engle, smiling broadly in spite of the relentless heat. “It’s a very humbling sport. (Horses) are such giving animals and such fun to work with.”
LEXINGTON, KY – August 13, 2010 – In the world of equestrian sports, it is rare that a particular horse or pony stays with one owner for an extended period of time; however, when the fit is right – years can fly by and horses become part of the family. In it for the long haul, the Mershad Family of New Albany, Ohio have seen their large pony “Little Freebie” perform admirably in the adolescent phases of each of their four children’s riding endeavors.
Little Freebie has been the trusted partner of Sophia, Gabriela and Ricky Mershad in years past and has helped each of the siblings develop their riding skills and move on to larger classes with new horses. In 2010, the large pony was called on to partner with 11 year old Andre Mershad in the USEF Pony Finals, held in Lexington, KY.
Competing against teams from various regions across the country, Mershad and Little Freebie were teamed with a group of riders including: Tayler Cobb and “Kokanee”, Dagny Mactaggard and “Spiderman” and Sydney Shulman and “Set Sail”.
The team from Region 1, 5 and 9 put in some outstanding performances, highlighted by double clear efforts by both Andre Mershad and Sydney Shulman. The combined score of 13 faults for the team over the two rounds of competition was enough to earn the team the Gold Medal in the Pony Jumper Team Championship.
Mershad was asked if veteran coach Ken Smith had any advice before going in the ring for his second round: “Ken told me to ride at my own pace and be comfortable in the ring… Focus on keeping the jumps up and put in a clear score for the team.”
Mershad will now move on from this success by partnering up with a new mount for the show season scheduled to begin in Florida during the winter season, where he rides with Ashland Farms in Wellington. “It’s going to be sad moving on from riding “Little Freebie”, but I’m also excited to try new horses and continue to win in different divisions beyond the ponies.”
LEXINGTON, KY-July 31, 2010 – It was another beautiful day at the Kentucky Horse Park, host of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, and ultimately, the FEI World Equestrian Games this coming fall. Being clean and fast was key for competitors in today’s High Amateur Owners Junior Jumper class. Having a timed first round required riders to be fault free, and with the fastest time possible to be in ribbon contention.
The course in today’s class was designed by Richard Jeffery and consisted of fences anywhere from 1.35 meters to 1.45 meters. Beginning with a wide open oxer, riders were then challenged with a vertical-rollback-vertical combination to a galloped open water jump with the pole only being scored. The course went on to include a one stride vertical combination, a triple bar oxer, an oxer to vertical combination, and an oxer with a Liverpool.
It was a bright beginning with the first rider to go, Dr. Fernando Cardenas and Orphan Car who went through a clean round in 74.728, well under the time allowed of 83 seconds. It was just two more rounds until Audrey Coulter registered the second clean round aboard Copernicus Stables, LLC horse Titania, just a tick quicker in 74.301.
Out of a field of 27 competitors, only five riders went clean . Near the end of the class, it was Megan Fellows and her horse, Le Supra, who took a commanding lead with a clean round in 71. 051. But Fellows stay at the top was short-lived as the next to go was Elizabeth Boyd’s First Lady, ridden by Shawn Casady. The pair re-set the stage with another flawless round and stopped the clock in a blazing 69.843, good enough for the win.
“Everything went so well, smiled Casady after his winning ride, “We got out in an open gallop and everything just kept coming up nicely. She jumped very careful and I am learning a lot from her,” He went on to add, “She’s owned by Liza (Elizabeth Boyd) and she wants to keep doing hunters, so First Lady is currently for sale.” When asked about how he is enjoying his time at the Kentucky Horse Shows, Casady replied, “I come to the spring and summer shows a lot because it’s in the middle of the north and south, so a good place. It has good people, a great facility, good footing and jumps, fun rings to ride in, and beautiful hunter rings.”
Lexington, KY – JUNE 21, 2010 – Gabriela Mershad began her equestrian career focused on pursuing the spotlight in the jumper ring. Riding small ponies from the age of 8, eventually led the Ohio teenager to take on more ambitious challenges in the Junior Jumper divisions and has most recently developed a wining habit riding a pair of her horses. During last weekend’s Country Heir II Horse Show, which took place in Lexington, the 15 year old rode to wins in all three of her classes riding her mare, HH Cadans Z. The 9 year old mare was acquired by the Mershad family at the end of 2009 and has gone on to become a consistent performer in the show ring, finishing up as Grand Champion in the second of week of competition.
Gabriela Mershad
As is often the case on the show circuit, Mershad was competing with multiple horses, two of which competed in every class without dropping any rails. Aboard her gelding, Van Gils Gust, Mershad rounded out her winning finishes by earning a pair of 3rd place finishes, with a 4th placing coming in the Stake class.
Riding at this level of competition requires a great amount of support, and Mershad surrounds herself with a family as heavily involved in riding as she is. She has a pair of brothers (Ricky and Andre), as well as an older sister (Sophia) who all ride competitively. Gabriela’s mother, Sara, is even involved and is actively competing in the Adult Hunter divisions.
To pull the entire competitive effort together, the family relies on a team of professionals at Ashland Farms including Ken and Emily Smith and recent addition, Caitlyn Shiels. Mershad adds: “Caitlyn has done a great job at developing my horse, Van Gils Gust, from preparing him for a class to helping me to select the right type of bit depending on his demeanor, she has been a great help.”
When asked about her future plans, Mershad stated that she would like to progress through the summer show season and gain valued points in order to compete in Washington. “I’d also really like to compete someday at Spruce Meadows (in Calgary, Alberta), and spend some more time in Europe if given the chance to compete at a higher level.”
The competition circuit has put a lot of demands on the 15 year old and there is always pressure to get good grades while pursuing a sport which requires such a great amount of travel. Mershad spends the winter months travelling from Ohio to Florida to compete at the Winter Equestrian Festival. The pace is hectic, to say the least, with flights every Thursday to Sunday for two weeks in a row, followed by an off-week.
The entire family will travel to a show in Lake Placid during the first two weeks of July, where Mershad is hoping to continue her winning ways aboard her horses in the Junior Jumper division.
Lexington, KY – JUNE 14, 2010 – This past weekend at the Country Heir I Horse Show in Lexington, teen rider Alyssa Mansfield accomplished a rather unusual feat by winning four classes, riding four different horses.
A pair of first place finishes came in the Large Junior Hunter division riding Lismacbryan Junior, owned by Spy Coast Farms, and aboard Mansfield’s regular mount, Calice De Fuyssieu Z.
Success followed the Florida rider into the Jumper ring with a victory in the $1200 High Jr 1.35 Class, riding Rebel De Sainte-Hermelle. The pair have recently began to click since the horse was purchased just two months prior. This was Mansfield’s first opportunity to test the High Jr. division on her new horse, and the win gave the young rider confirmation that the horse was ready to be introduced to the higher level of competition.
To bring her week of successes to a close, Mansfield finished the weekend by winning the $10,000 SJHOF High Jr Jumper Classic teamed up with Ulla Blue. Ulla Blue has been owned by the Mansfield family since 2008 and had just recently returned to competition after some much needed rest.
Mansfield currently rides out of Ashland Farms, located in her hometown of Wellington, FL, under the guidance of veteran trainers Ken and Emily Smith. When asked how her time at Ashland has allowed her to progress as a rider, Mansfield noted, “the Smiths have taken my riding to a whole new level since I began training out of their Farm, with some more hard work and the right horses, I’m really looking forward to moving to the next challenges over the course of the summer.”
Mansfield and her team at Ashland have Lake Placid scheduled as their next stop during the hectic summer show season, where she hopes to continue her success with three horses making the journey North for two weeks of shows.
June 4, 2010 – Weirden, the Netherlands and Lexington, KY – It wasn’t easy, but the Young Riders representing the US on the US Show Jumping Young Rider Tour fought hard through two rounds of the Nations Cup to force a jump-off with the home team and eventually outran the Netherlands for their first Nations Cup win at CSIOY Weirden.
The squad of Jennifer Waxman and Venturo, Michael Murphy and Katina 12, Nick Dello Joio with Malcolm and Karl Cook on Uno de Laubry recovered from a 17 fault performance in the first round of the Nations Cup to add just four in the second round.
Both Dello Joio and Cook jumped clear in the second round, forcing a jump off with the Netherlands. The Germans, who led after round one fell out of contention, and the shuffle at the top of the leaderboard was rapid.
All four riders returned to the ring for the jump-off and Waxman and Murphy put in very fast four fault efforts, the Dutch went one better however and their first two riders jumped careful clears. Dello Joio and Cook took a few extra seconds to ensure that the produced clear rounds – which paid off when the final two Dutch riders had four faults a piece and times that couldn’t match Waxman and Murphy.
“All five riders, including Taylor Land, who didn’t jump in the Nations Cup but was great team player, all five riders, I couldn’t be prouder of,” said Chef d’Equipe Michelle Grubb. “This is the start of something great for the us to come over with Young Riders, hopefully in the future we can bring Juniors as well. We are well thought of, and the other riders here were in awe of our performance.”
Lindsay Y McCall for PhelpsSports.com
Friday, April 30, 2010
Jennifer Waxman talents in the show ring have taken her to achieving top ribbons over the last few years. Her recent accomplishments include winning the United States Equestrian Team Foundation Lionel Guerrand –Hermés award, traveling to Australia to represent the United States at the 2009 Australian Olympics Festival, and being invited to the George Morris Horsemastership Clinic.
Waxman will be traveling to Europe in May with four other skilled riders for the USEF 2010 Show Jumping Young Rider Tour. Jennifer took a few minutes to discuss how excited she is for this tour, her horses Venturo and Shakira, and her strategy for this year.
LM: When did you start riding?
JW: I started riding when I was five years old at Chagrin Valley Farms in Chagrin, Ohio. I began in a school program there. In the beginning I half-leased a pony and when I was eight-years-old I got my very own pony. When I was around eight-years-old going into my ninth birthday my riding skill escalated and I really started showing competitively.
LM: What have you been focusing on over the last few years?
JW: A little over two years ago I got my two jumpers Venturo and Shakira. When we purchased both of these horses we were hoping they would be good high junior horses for me to finish my junior years on. It turns out that they have shown to be even better than that. Last year a personal goal of mine was Young Riders. I was going to take Shakira but at the last minute we decided to take Venturo and that decision really paid off. Venturo was awesome there!
After Young Riders I started doing a few small grand prix classes and then I went back to school to finish my senior year. This year I was planning on doing a few grand prix classes during the summer with hopes that I would be invited to Europe. I was ecstatic when I found out I was invited for the trip starting in May.
Jennifer Waxman
LM: Could you tell me about Venturo and Shakira?
JW: They are complete opposites. They are both really good horses and I enjoy riding them however they have different personalities in the ring. Venturo is my “steady eddy” horse. He always goes in the ring and performs consistently. I feel very confident on him therefore we have been doing some bigger classes together. I am planning on using Venturo as my Nations Cup and small grand prix horse. Shakira is very fast on her feet so I use her for my speed classes.
LM: What makes you so successful?
JW: I think it is a team effort. I am lucky enough to have my horses at home with me. They are only two minutes down the road. I know what they eat, their schedule, when the vet is in the barn, I know the farrier, and I know exactly how my horses act and feel each day. I am very involved with their daily program so when I am sitting there ready to enter a big class I know exactly the type of horse I am sitting on and if they are ready to show.
I am also very lucky to have so many supportive people in my life, including my parents, my trainers, Ken and Emily Smith, the people at the barn who take amazing care of my horses,
and everyone else involved.
LM: Could you tell me about your trainers Ken and Emily Smith?
Ken and Emily have been helping me since I was riding the small ponies. It has been really special to grow up knowing my trainers so well. They have been a part of my entire career. They a responsible for finding me great horses, instructing me when I need to work on a specific skill, and are just overall great trainers. I cannot really say enough good things about them.
It is because of them that I have my horses and have been able to ride so many other nice horses. Those kinds of experiences are irreplaceable and I am really thankful for that.
LM: Do you have a favorite horse show?
JW: I enjoy every single one. I always go to Lake Placid and Kentucky. I enjoy Kentucky because it is so close and I have been going there since I was little. Devon is another great show because it is so special.
LM: Are you excited about Europe and what are you looking forward to?
JW: I have never really stayed in Europe. I went over there for three days when I went to try Venturo but it was a really quick trip. I was pretty much on a car or a plane the whole time. So I am just so excited to finally see Europe.
George Morris always emphasizes how important it is to travel to Europe and show. So to be able to go over there at such a young age will be a great experience. I am also excited to be a part of the team of other riders that will be going over with me. I traveled to Australia last year with Taylor [Land] and I know the other riders pretty well. I am excited to be the only American team over there in our age group competing in Europe. I am sure it will be a lot of fun.
LM: What are your plans once you come back from Europe?
JW: After Europe my horses and I will take a few weeks off and then we will most likely go to Lake Placid, Cleveland, and then the summer Kentucky horse show.
LM: What are your future plans?
JW: I am starting college next year. I have till May 1, 2010 to decide so I have not picked exactly where I will be going. As for riding, I would like to keep my amateur status while I am in college and go from there.
LM: Thank you Jennifer!
JW: Thank you! I also want to thank everybody who put this trip together for us there is so much
organizing and planning that goes into it. I am really excited that they could put this trip together for us and give us this opportunity to travel to Europe.
USEF 2010 Show Jumping Young Rider Tour
The 2010 Show Jumping Young Rider Tour will consist of the following competitions:
CSIOY Moorsele (BEL), May 13-16, 2010;
CSIOY Reims (FRA), May 28-30, 2010;
and CSIOY Wierden (NED), June 3-6, 2010.
They will be under the guidance of: Assistant Chefs d’Equipe Ralph Caristo (CSIOY Moorsele) and Michele Grubb (CSIOY Reims & CSIOY Wierden).
These horse/rider combinations were selected based on the criteria outlined Selection Procedure for the 2010 Show Jumping Young Rider Tour.
March 20, 2010 – Wellington, FL
By Y.A. Teitelbaum, Sun Sentinel Correspondent
U.S. Olympian Margie Engle added a unique victory to her trophy case.
The 10-time American Grandprix Association (AGA) Rider of the Year, who has amassed more than 100 career wins, anchored her team to victory in the inaugural FTI Great Charity Challenge on Saturday at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
Going ninth out of 24 teams, Engle, along with teammates Christina Kelly and Jennifer Waxman, combined to jump the 24 obstacles in 111.134 seconds.
The victory earned the Step by Step Foundation, which raises money for relief efforts in Haiti, at least $150,000.
“It was a lot of fun and for a great cause,” said Engle, who lives in Wellington. “It was a little hectic [waiting]. It’s always difficult going early. It was fun to ride with the group. They made my job easy. They left up all the jumps.” 2010 Charity Challenge Awards Ceremony: Team Engle
Placing second was 2008 Olympian Pablo Barrios of Venezuela, representing the Boys and Girls Club of Wellington, in 113.425 seconds, including four seconds in time faults. The charity will receive at least $100,000.
Finishing third was veteran Olympian Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil, representing the Wellington Community Foundation, in 114.636 seconds. The charity will receive at least $50,000.
Twenty-four charities with South Florida connections were the beneficiaries of the FTI Great Charity Challenge show jumping event, which raised more than $500,000.
The remaining 21 charities will receive at least $9,500 each.
The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival continues this week, featuring the $500,000 grand prix Saturday.
Both Dello Joio and Cook jumped clear in the second round, forcing a jump off with the Netherlands. The Germans, who led after round one fell out of contention, and the shuffle at the top of the leaderboard was rapid.
