JULY 23rd, 2012 – LEXINGTON, KY – Rising junior talent Shawn Casady and Elm Rock LLC’s Zubantos were the winners of the Individual Junior Show Jumping Silver Medal during the 2012 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC). After earning just four faults over the first five rounds of the competition, they advanced to the jump-off where another clear round over the technical track was good enough to claim the Individual Silver Medal.

Eighteen-year-old Casady showcased consistency and accuracy with the eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood Gelding Zubantos, lowering the height of just one fence throughout the five rounds of the prestigious event. “Zubantos is still young, but he’s a great guy, careful and scopey,” stated Casady. “I’ve been so fortunate to ride this horse.”

Trainer Ken Smith added, “This was an exciting accomplishment for all of us. Shawn rode great throughout the whole competition. Zubantos is a super brave horse, scopey and careful. He has really benefited from Shawn’s accurate riding this year.”

Earlier this month, the junior hunter Glass Castle has made a triumphant return to the show ring with Casady in the irons. Casady piloted the Elm Rock LLC mount to the Grand Hunter Championship at the Chagrin Valley Hunter Jumper Classic after dominating the Small Junior Hunter division. This victory came just following Lake Placid Horse Shows, where the duo took home the reserve championship honors during each week of the competition in the Small Junior 16-17 Hunter division.

Trainer Ken Smith noted, “Glass Castle is a very consistent horse. When you send her in the ring you feel like she can win any class at any show. She’s one of our all time favorites.”

Casady will now compete with Glass Castle at the National Junior Hunter Championships in Lexington, KY.

Article by: Phelps Media Group – Rebecca Walton