Source:  Jennifer Wood Media Press Release (edited)

 

 

Amanda Steege Takes Top Two Spots in $25,000 New England Hunter Derby Final at Fieldstone Summer Showcase
Leslie Howard and Goed Zo Show the Way in $7,500 Herb Chambers Companies Speed Stake

Halifax, MA - The Fieldstone Summer Showcase had a full day of competition in the Grand Prix Field today and it was Amanda Steege of Bedminster, NJ, who rode to a one-two finish in the $25,000 New England Hunter Derby Final. Steege rode Duval, owned by Randi Vladimer of Malvern, PA, to victory. Majestic, owned by Tony Arena of Fairport, NY, and Steege were second. Olympian Leslie Howard of Fairfield, CT, took the top prize in the $7,500 Herb Chambers Companies Speed Stake on Goed Zo, owned by the 73 West Group of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Fieldstone Summer Showcase features top hunter/jumper competition at their beautiful facility in Halifax, MA.

To see Amanda Steege's winning handy hunter round and interview, please click here:

Today marked the fourth day of competition for the Fieldstone Summer Showcase, which will now run through Saturday, August 27. The MHJ Finals will run at the same times and in the same rings but now on Saturday instead of Sunday. The $25,000 Herb Chambers Companies Grand Prix start time has been moved to 9 a.m. on Saturday, August 27.

There were 45 entries in the $25,000 New England Hunter Derby Final, and they competed through two rounds to find the winner. The top 12 scoring horses from the first round returned for a handy round, which included a trot jump, hand gallop, and walking over a log. The courses were designed by Nathan Panetta.

"I thought they were fun courses," Steege said. "I loved that the jumps were mostly off your eye and off the gallop. It really let you show off on a horse that had a pretty canter who perked his ears and looked for the jump. I liked doing the natural jumps in the first round. The way that they used them was really appropriate for this level of a class because it definitely was somewhat challenging without feeling trappy or so different that the horses didn't want to participate. I have to commend the course designer for that."

The leader of the first round was 11-year-old McKayla Langmeier on Czar Z, who posted a score of 86 plus four bonus points for the high score of 90. She returned last in the second round and added a score of 70 for a total of 160 and fourth place.

Steege and Duval, an eight-year-old Westphalian gelding by Democrat, sat in second place after the first round with an overall score of 88. They put down a fantastic trip in the handy round, including a flawless hand gallop jump and were rewarded with a score of 89. Their total of 177 gave them the win.

Duval and Amanda Steege

Steege started riding Duval last year in the Pre-Green Hunters and now competes in the First Year Green Working Hunters. "He's been successful as a First Year horse and Randi also shows him in the Adult Hunters," Steege explained. "We have just started doing derbies. We have done about four or five of the 3'3" derbies with the idea of shooting for the bigger derbies and hopefully derby finals next year. This was the perfect introduction to that type of setting. I was excited about that."

Majestic, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Voltaire, and Steege had an 84 in the first round and posted a second round score of 87 for a total of 171 for second place. Steege has been paired with Majestic for three years, and they regularly compete in the High Performance Hunters.

Majestic and Amanda Steege

"He will be a really good derby horse, but he isn't quite ready to do all of the elements," Steege said. "I did a few of the big ones in the right places but he's so super careful that I felt this was the better way to go for his first year. I thought it was better to just concentrate on 3'3" until he got a few under his belt. I thought he handled today really well. I'm really excited to have both of these horses ready to step up into the next level of the derbies."

Third place went to Sea Walker, ridden by Nicole Olinyk for David Olinyk of Franklin, MA. They received scores of 82 and 80 for a total of 162.

While the hunters do not normally receive much prize money, the hunter derbies have brought money to the discipline. Steege agreed, "To win a class with this kind of prize money was great. It's my first big money class that I've won. The thought of riding in classes where you could make money never really occurred to me, so that's exciting!"

Duval and Amanda Steege with Fieldstone Vice-President Shawn Clawson

Competing at Fieldstone was a return to Steege's roots; she grew up in Massachusetts and showed in New England as a junior. "It was great to be back here, and working with my dad Mitch. It was so nice that my parents and family were able to come and watch. I've really enjoyed my time here."

The $7,500 Herb Chambers Companies Speed Stake had 18 entries, and nine of those were able to stay clear over the course designed by Eric Hasbrouck. The early leader was Olivia Jack of Fairfield, CT, on her horse Corina. They stopped the timers in 68.016 seconds and were able to stay in second place. Third place went to Contino 5, ridden by Caitlin Venezia and owned by The 7 Group.

Leslie Howard and Goed Zo, an eight-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Castello, were very fast across the jumps and were able to shave off just enough time to take the win in 67.956 seconds.

Goed Zo and Leslie Howard

Howard has been riding Goed Zo for two years. "We bought him at the end of his six-year-old year in Europe. He's fast, careful, competitive, he always tries, and he has a great attitude," she expressed.

Goed Zo had no trouble with the turns and galloping, and Howard and said he felt good today. "He did everything I asked. I took some shots with him and he was right there for me. He was a good boy, but he's sort of that nature anyway. He's usually a good speed horse," she described.

This is the first time that Howard has competed at Fieldstone Equestrian. She said, "It's really cute here, and they seem very willing to try to improve it all the time. That's all you can ask."

Howard plans to compete in tomorrow's $25,000 Herb Chambers Companies Grand Prix.

Valencia and Kendall Milkey

Earlier in the day, junior and amateur jumper riders took to the field. The winner of the $2,500 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic (1.15-1.20m) was Valencia, ridden and owned by Kendall Milkey of Temple, NH. Melissa Jacobs of Buffalo, NY, rode T Cavalier to second place, while Cr Lugana and Hillary Swarr, riding for Janet Swarr of Franklin, MA, were third.

Katie Cox of Conroe, TX, rode Twilight to the win in the $5,000 CWD Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic (1.35m). John Holmes of New Hope, PA, rode Gideon to second place, while Jean Sheptoff of Waltham, MA, rode Elite Ventures' Ami Des Gemmes to third place.

Twilight and Katie Cox

The Fieldstone Summer Showcase continues with the Massachusetts Hunter Jumper Finals, the $5,000 Children's/Adult Jumper Classic, and the highlight class of the week, the $25,000 Herb Chambers Companies Grand Prix, which will now run at 9 a.m.

$25,000 New England Hunter Derby Final Results
1. Duval, Amanda P. Steege, Randi Vladimer (Malvern, PA): 88, 89, 177
2. Majestic, Amanda P. Steege, Tony Arena (Fairport, NY): 84, 87, 171
3. Sea Walker, Nicole Oliynyk, Nicole Oliynyk (Franklin, MA): 82, 80, 162
4. Czar-Z, Mckayla Langmeier Linda Langmeier (East Granby, CT): 90, 70, 160
5. Major, Zoe McGee, Zoe McGee (Charleston, MA): 80.25, 79, 159.25
6. Elitere, Jennifer B. Bliss, Julie De Vaulx (North Salem, NY): 80, 77, 157
7. Generous, David Oliynyk, Lori Gaudet (Lexington, MA): 80.5, 75, 155.5
8. Aiden, John Yozell, John Yozell (Dedham, MA): 81.1, 74, 155.1
9. Sky's the Limit, Kristen Bumpus, Elsa Kania (Concord, MA): 81, 72, 153
10. Bravo Van De Kwakkelhoek, Elizabeth Kenny, Elizabeth Kenny (Wellesley, MA) : 85, 64, 149
11. Chiquita, Kristen Bumpus, Banner Farm (Dover, MA): 81.5, 65, 146.5
12. Southern Belle, Catherine Kenny, Catherine Kenny (Wellesley, MA): 82.25, 60, 142.25



$7,500 Herb Chambers Speed Stake Results
1. Goed Zo, Leslie B. Howard, 73 West Group, 0/67.956 (Toronto, ON)
2. Corina, Olivia Jack, Olivia Jack, 0/68.016 (Fairfield, CT)
3. Contino 5, Caitlin W. Venezia, The 7 Group, 0/72.607
4. Reflection, Gregory Prince, Lionshare Lionshare Farm, 0/72.693
5. Wednesday Morning, Wendy L. Smith, Diane Denby, 0/73.673 (Somers, CT)
6. T Cavalier, Melissa Jacobs, Melissa Jacobs LLC, 0/75.260 (Buffalo, NY)
7. Carreras, Kristen Bumpus, Elsa Kania, 0/75.843 (Cambridge, MA)
8. Catalyst, Adrienne Sternlicht, Adrienne Sternlicht, 0/76.435 (Grennwich, CT)
9. Melisande, Amy M. Lowrey, Narnia Farms, 0/77.946
10. Canetti, Hannah Lavin, Volo Farm, 2/83.236 (Westford, MA)
11. Valdez, Olivia Jack, Oliva Jack, 4/72.593 (Fairfield, CT)
12. EquiFit Amadeus, Gregory Prince, Katelyn McGrail, 4/73.883 (Stratham, NH)

Amanda Steege and Bavarian Rule in the $10,000 Fieldstone 2'9" Hunter Derby Final

The Fieldstone Summer Showcase hosted two hunter derbies Thursday on the beautiful grass Grand Prix Field. Amanda Steege of Bedminster, NJ, rode Bavarian, owned by Lise Revers of Weston, MA, to victory in the $10,000 Fieldstone 2'9" Hunter Derby Final. In the $10,000 Pony Hunter Derby Final, Jordyn Freeman of Long Meadow, MA, took the top two places on Blueberry Hill and Hands Up. The Fieldstone Summer Showcase features top hunter/jumper competition at their beautiful facility in Halifax, MA.
Today marked the third day of competition for the Fieldstone Summer Showcase, which will now run through Saturday, August 27. The MHJ Finals will run at the same times and in the same rings but now on Saturday instead of Sunday. The $25,000 Herb Chambers Companies Grand Prix start time has been moved to noon on Saturday, August 27 (from 3 p.m.). The $7,500 Herb Chambers Companies Speed Stake has been moved to Friday, August 26, at approximately 11 a.m. (from Saturday).

Professional rider Amanda Steege had a brand-new ride on Bavarian, who was only purchased three weeks ago by Revers. Revers trains with Lindsey Moore, who had Steege compete today on the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding. "My dad has been helping Lindsey Moore. I got lucky!" Steege said with a smile

The new pairing practiced yesterday and entered the ring together for the first time in the derby. They had a solid score of 84 in the first round, and with a handy hunter score of 86, they moved into the lead with a total of 170. Second place in the class went to Socrates, ridden by Kristen Bumpus and owned by Jackie Arakelian of Winchester, MA.

Steege said Bavarian had no trouble with the natural obstacles, derby bank, and raised bank. "It was so fun. I was a little nervous about it because I haven't done that for so long!" she laughed. "When I was kid we went to more horse shows where they used that stuff in the equitation. We just don't have a lot of grass fields and opportunities to do that."

Steege said of Bavarian, "I think he's the perfect type of horse for these classes. He's so soft but powerful at the same time. He's so not spooky. It's great to be able to just gallop on a loose rein and when you get there, he's going to help you out, no matter where you are."

Revers said, "I can't believe that he's so good! We didn't know that much about him when we bought him. I'm learning how to jump, so he's going to teach me. Right from the minute I got him, he's just been a steady hunter. He's a really good guy."

Steege also placed third on Zephyr T, owned by Susan Villare of Westport, MA. Steege got the ride on Zephyr T through unfortunate circumstances; her father Mitch Steege, Zephyr's usual rider, broke his back a few weeks ago and could not ride. Steege said, "He's a Pre-Green horse, so that was really good that he did the bank and everything. I'm looking forward to maybe showing him at Capital Challenge in the Future Hunters."

It was a nice return to the Fieldstone horse shows for Steege, who grew up in Massachusetts and competed in the New England area as a pony and junior rider. She had not been back to the shows in 12 years and was pleasantly surprised to see the quality of the show and its competition.

"It was fun for me personally to get to show here," Steege acknowledged. "I showed here quite often as a junior. It's fun to come back. This has always been a nice facility, but it's definitely grown and prospered over the last few years. It's exciting how much work they've put into it and have tried to revive the hunter world a little bit up here with these bigger classes."

She added, "The footing was amazing, especially since they haven't had a ton of rain recently. I thought it felt great. I thought the courses were really nice too. They allowed you to show off on a horse that could show off, but they were easy enough to open the class up to a lot more people. You didn't worry about sending your amateur riders in there."

The winner of the $10,000 Pony Hunter Derby Finals was Jordyn Freedman of Long Meadow, MA, who rode Blueberry Hill for the win. The eleven-year-old rider, who is also the owner of Blueberry Hill, has been riding since the age of three. Her and Blueberry Hill have only been paired together for a year. She said of their accomplishments, "We have been to Pony Finals, WEF and Devon. I was second at Devon and 15th in the hack at Pony Finals," she said.

The sixth grader "loved riding out in the big grand prix field," although "sometimes the ponies get tired because it is so big," she acknowledged.

Freeman also placed second in the class riding her pony Hands Up. She has also owned Hands Up for only a year. "We have gone to WEF and Pony Finals, where I was 10th overall and Hands Up was high point half-Welsh Pony," she noted.

When asked what was up next for her, Freeman enthusiastically replied that she hopes to qualify for indoors this year. She trains with Linda Langmeier and Kyla Makhloghi at Kelianda Farm in East Granby, CT.

The Fieldstone Summer Showcase continues tomorrow with another day of hunter/jumper competition in six rings. The highlight classes of the day start with the jumpers in the $2,500 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic (1.15-1.20m), the $5,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic (1.35m), and the $7,500 Herb Chambers Companies Speed Stake on the Grand Prix Field. At 3 p.m., the hunters return to center stage in the $25,000 New England Hunter Derby Final.

$10,000 Fieldstone 2'9" Hunter Derby Finals Results
1. Bavarian, Amanda P. Steege, Lise Revers (Weston, MA)
2. Socrates, Kristen Bumpus, Jackie Arakelian (Winchester, MA)
3. Zephyr T, Amanda P. Steege, Susan M. Villare (Westford, MA)
4. Tour Guide, Kelly N. Lively, Martha Kopanon (Hingham, MA)
5. Unlisted, Amanda P. Steege, Anne Connolly (Wayland, MA)
6. Poker Face, Jennifer B. Bliss, Jennifer B. Bliss (Katona, NY)
7. Rio's Ricardo, Kristen Loyek, Four Wings Farm, LLC (Street, MD)
8. Charlotte, Amanda N. Wise, Reiner N. Niewisch (Brewster, NY)
9. Cavallino, Jennifer Tate, Barbara E. Kravetz (Sharon, MA)
10. Closing Belle, Caitlin W. Venezia, Mary Leblanc (Cotuit, MA)
11. Prince Ferdinand, Susan Huyett, Caroline Hughes (Concord, MA)
12. Sir Thomas, Sarah C. Tyndall, Devon L. Poeta (Old Lyme, CT)


$10,000 Pony Hunter Derby Finals
1. Blueberry Hill, Jordyn Freedman, Jordyn Freedman (Long Meadow, MA)
2. Hands Up, Jordyn Freedman, Jordyn Freedman (Long Meadow, MA)
3. Ferdinand, Hayley Anderson, Hayley Anderson (New Boston, NH)
4. First Impression, Mckayla Langmeier, Katie Dinan, LLC (New York, NY)
5. Helicon Take Notice, Katie Jacobs, Cmj Sporthorse, LLC (Wellington, FL)
6. Touchdown, Ericka M. Koscinski, Salt River Farm (Center Marioin, NY)
7. Elite Storm Front, Caroline A. Kellogg, Paradysz Farm (Mill Neck, NY)
8. It's Sno Illusion, Louisa Spofford, Louisa Spofford (Essex, MA)
9. Millpond Patchword, Katie Jacobs, Cmj Sporthorse, LLC (Wellington, FL)
10. Stiletto, Tess Lenihan, Tess Lenihan (Hingham, MA)
11. Jeremiah P. Duck, Ava Stearns, Jay Sargent (Middletown, RI)
12. Carebear, Katie Jacobs, Cmj Sporthorse, LLC (Wellington, FL)

Charlie Jacobs Goes One-Two in $7,500 Open Welcome Stake

The Fieldstone Summer Showcase hosted its first major class of the week on the Grand Prix Field with the $7,500 Open Welcome Stake. Charlie Jacobs of Boston, MA, rode Leap of Joy to first place in the class and was second on Flaming Star. The Fieldstone Summer Showcase features top hunter/jumper competition at their beautiful facility in Halifax, MA.
Today marked the second day of competition for the Fieldstone Summer Showcase, which will now run through Saturday, August 27. The MHJ Finals will run at the same times and in the same rings but now on Saturday instead of Sunday. The $25,000 Herb Chambers Companies Grand Prix start time has been moved to noon on Saturday, August 27 (from 3 p.m.). The $7,500 Herb Chambers Companies Speed Stake has been moved to Friday, August 26, at approximately 11 a.m. (from Saturday).

In today's class, Jacobs rode both horses with no faults in the opening round. He returned in the jump-off first on Flaming Star and posted another clear round with a time of 43.696 seconds. Six more would follow Jacobs into the jump-off but none were able to catch his time with no faults.

Jacobs bested himself when he entered the ring on his second horse, Leap of Joy. They were clear and very quick through the rollback turns over the course designed by Eric Hasbrouck. Jacobs and Leap of Joy stopped the timers in 43.556 seconds.

Four more would contest the jump-off, but no other could match his feat. Third place in the class went to DJ Volandre on Tequila, owned by Gina Volandre. They were clear in 45.324 seconds.

Jacobs said he enjoyed competing on the grass field, "I like this field a lot. It's very beautiful. It's really level, and the ground is very forgiving. I enjoy riding out here. It's very nice."

As the Principal & Alternate Governor of the Boston Bruins hockey team, Jacobs is no stranger to competition. He has been a top rider since he was young, and he continues to excel in equestrian sport. With the Fieldstone horse shows, Jacobs feels lucky to have a top horse show "basically in my backyard."

He added with a smile, "I slept in my own bed last night, drove down this morning and rode my horses. I feel very fortunate first and foremost for my string of horses but also to come here and show. My kids showed this morning and this afternoon. My niece is here. It's very much a family affair."

Jacobs has owned Leap of Joy, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Lavari, for three years. He purchased the talented horse from top British show jumper Peter Charles and has brought him along through the Low Amateur-Owner Jumpers up to the open classes this summer. This past winter, they were the circuit champions in the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

"(Leap of Joy) was a young eight so to speak; he was a little green," Jacobs described of his winning mount. "We took our time in the Amateur division and he has been great. He is leading the country for the Show Jumping Hall of Fame standings. He's had a great year. Who knows? Maybe we'll be able to do something even more interesting this winter!"

Flaming Star, a 12-year-old Irish-bred gelding by Fairman, had more experience up to the 1.50m level in the United Kingdom before Jacobs purchased him last winter. "He came with more of a resume than Leap of Joy. He was more established," Jacobs said. "When I got him, I spent time during Florida trying to get to know him in the Low Amateurs, then the Mediums followed by the Highs. He was champion the last week of WEF in the High Amateurs. He did some really great things this summer. He's been really good for us."

Jacobs is looking forward to showing both horses in the $25,000 Herb Chambers Companies Grand Prix on Saturday.

Final Results: $7,500 Open Welcome Stake
1. Leap of Joy, Charles M. Jacobs, Deeridge Farms (East Aurora, NY): 0/0/43.556
2. Flaming Star, Charles M. Jacobs, CMJ Sporthorse, LLC (Wellington, FL): 0/0/43.696
3. Tequila, D.J. Volandre, Gina Volandre (Norwell, MA): 0/0/45.324
4. Apropos, D.J. Volandre, D.J. Volandre (Norwell, MA): 0/0/47.824
5. Wednesday Morning, Wendy L. Smith, Diane Denby (Somers, CT): 0/0/47.996
6. Sangre Azul, Elizabeth Kenny, Alvaro J. Lozada: 0/0/48.573
7. Quipit L.F., Ragan B. Roberts, Ragan B. Roberts (Little Rock, AR): 0/0/49.419
8. Carisco, Molly W. Ashe, Sarah E. Ryan (Westport, CT): 0/4/43.148
9. Vienna, David J. Tromp, Beyaert Farm Inc. (North Salem, NY): 0/4/43.245
10. Valdez, Olivia Jack, Olivia Jack (Fairfield, CT): 0/4/47.228

Schedule Revised for Fieldstone Summer Showcase

The schedule for this week's Fieldstone Summer Showcase has been revised due to the hurricane conditions expected on Sunday. All MHJ Finals classes for Sunday have been moved to Saturday. Revised schedules are posted at www.showfieldstone.com. The Fieldstone Summer Showcase, an "AA" rated and Jumper 4 rated horse show, is held at the Fieldstone Equestrian & Show Facility in Halifax, MA.
The MHJ Finals will run at the same times in the same rings, but on Saturday, August 27, instead of Sunday.

The $25,000 Herb Chambers Companies Grand Prix start time has been moved to noon on Saturday, August 27 (from 3 p.m.). The $7,500 Herb Chambers Companies Speed Stake has been moved to Friday, August 26, at approximately 11 a.m. (from Saturday).

The First Annual New England Hunter Derby Finals will take place at the same scheduled times throughout the week. As the finals for the NEHJA Hunter Derby Series, riders from all reaches of the Northeast will vie for $45,000 in prize money. The three divisions for the finals have something for everyone; the $25,000 3'3" Hunter Derby Final on Friday and the $10,000 2'9" Hunter Derby Final and $10,000 Pony Hunter Derby Final on Thursday.

Fieldstone would like to thank their exhibitors for their great cooperation in making the Fieldstone Summer Showcase run smoothly and safely for everyone.


Conveniently located just 28 miles south of Boston in the heart of southeastern Massachusetts, The Fieldstone Equestrian and Show Facility is bar none in the New England region. The outstanding competitions provide a great opportunity for riders, owners, and trainers to experience something new and different from their standard horse show destinations. This beautiful, scenic facility is the perfect option for competitors looking to give their horses a breath of fresh air and compete in a beautiful, relaxed environment. Centrally located, the horse show is easily accessible from Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and anywhere in the northeast region.



The stunning show grounds offer competitors, guests and spectators beautifully manicured grounds, miles of trails and an exhibitor friendly atmosphere. The facility boasts nearly 100 acres, equipped with nine all-weather show rings by GGT footing, permanent and temporary stabling, ample parking, and a beautiful all-grass Grand Prix field. Renovated in 2009, this field is a world-class venue for the facility's premier classes. With show schedules boasting over $100,000 in cash and prizes and great exhibitor parties and events, these horse shows are not to be missed!



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For more information on the Fieldstone Horse Shows, please visit www.showfieldstone.com, call 781-679-0701, or email info@showfieldstone.com.

Photo Credit: Photos © Anne Gittins Photography, www.annegittins.com and © Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.