Source:  News Release

Heineking Rules Jumpers at Pin Oak

Christian Heineking and NKH Selena rule the jumper ring. Photo:  Shawn McMillen Photography

No matter the script during the second week of the 68th Annual Pin Oak Charity Horse Show (Mar 26-30), Christian Heineking found himself in the leading role. During Thursday night’s $25,000 Pin Oak Grand Prix presented by Moet Hennessy, USA, twelve advanced to the jump off and it became a horse race. In the end, it was Christian and NKH Selena (NKH, LLC, owner) leading the victory gallop. Francisco Galli of Argentina made the riders work a little harder in the $30,000 Grand Prix presented by Walter Oil & Gas Corporation on Saturday night, but Christian and NKH Selena rose to the challenge again, and the crowd loved it.

Over a demanding track, rails fell and fell. Some crowd favorites disappointed, some youngsters rose to the occasion, the previous week’s winner, Ryan Genn, dropped three rails with Cookie Monster, and there were a few heartbreaks as clear rounds turned into four faulters at the final oxer. However, Christian, who was 19th in the order of the 27 horse field, piloted the feisty NKH Selena to a clear round and the crowd erupted in applause. None of the remaining riders could quite find the key to the tricky track.

Although there was no jump off, no one could complain, least of all Christian. Of his back-to-back wins there wasn’t much the handsome rider could say. “Fantastic. This is fantastic and my horse is competitive and wants to please.”

Heineking’s path to success was far from easy.  “She was a wild girl,” said Christian of the mare when he first got her as a five year old.  “It was rough showing her the first two years, but then when she was seven things got a little better.” The pair won their first grand prix in Kansas City last year.  “We also did well in Las Vegas at the end of the year. She was third in a big class and I rode her in the World Cup Qualifier.”  As an eight year old this year, the mare has come into her own.

Christian loves the Pin Oak Show, especially given that he has won the major grand prix in both 2012 and 2013. “This show is a great thing for the charities. Management tries very hard and it is special. There were so many people in the stands tonight.”

After riding exclusively for one owner, Christian has struck out on his own with Heineking Show Stables. “I am coaching riders and training horses in jumpers,” he stated. However, now that Pin Oak is over for the year, Christian is heading to Omaha for his final show before his nuptials to fellow show jumping rider Erin Davis on May 4. When asked if he was nervous about the wedding, he laughed and emphatically stated, “Absolutely not. I am feeling very confident.” He and Erin are very supportive of one another and are looking forward to a life together that will undoubtedly include many more Pin Oak Charity Horse Show memories.

And when it comes to memories, Katie Cox has many of her own, having shown at Pin Oak since she first started riding. She turned professional this year and helps her mother and father, Kim and Dale Cox, in their lesson and training business. A veteran of the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships and a grand prix competitor riding as a junior, Katie is regularly in the ribbons. With a rail early in the class, Katie put the pedal to the metal and turned in what would stand as the fastest of the four fault rounds, resulting in the second place finish. Nine horses posted four fault rounds and Katie was glad for her Twilight’s speed and agility.

Holly Shepherd and Triompf are triumphant in the $25,000 Pin Oak USHJA International Hunter Derby. Photo: Shawn McMillen Photography

Finishing seventh was Holly Shepherd and Triompf (Loretta Patterson, owner), and while getting a prize in a grand prix is no mean feat, it is all the more impressive knowing that Triompf does double duty as a hunter derby horse. In Friday night’s $25,000 Pin Oak USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by Valobra Jewelry and Moet & Chandon Champagne, Triompf and Holly stood seventh after the classic round. They really turned on the heat with a brilliant handy round that gave them the overall victory by just a single point.

The USHJA National Hunter Derby has proven very popular and attracted over 50 entries the second week where luck reigned supreme. For the second week in a row, Peter Pletcher piloted Luck (Johnnie Martin-Carey,  owner) to the win in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby.

Buckley Wallace has his eye on the future Photo: Shawn McMillen Photography

Buckley Wallace also enjoyed the Pin Oak Show and got his share of ribbons in the Small Junior Hunters 16-17. Buckley has been riding since he was ten and last fall started training with Matt and Kelly Cyphert. “They are so fun and hands on. Everyone in the barn wants to do well, but we also cheer for each other.” Buckley enjoys the esprit d’ corp and rides his horse, Usher, in hunters and some medals. “Last year I qualified for the USHJA International Hunter Derby, and I am looking forward to it again this year. It is my favorite competition."

As a high school senior, Buckley is looking at colleges and seems to have his eye on the east, but he is keeping his options open. He knows he wants to ride and compete so he is looking for a school with a strong IHSA program, since NCAA riding is only open to women. In preparation, Buckley has been catch riding whenever he can. “I got to go to Gulf Port one week and catch ride a horse my trainer, Matt, had. I really liked the challenge.” Buckley also enjoys Pin Oak. “The facility is amazing and all the classes are competitive. Plus I get to see many of my horse show friends.”

While exhibitors enjoy Pin Oak for many reasons, the show has a long, rich history in the community of Houston as a major philanthropic event. “In 1948 Mr. Abercrombie and Mr. Meyer made the first donation toward Texas Children’s Hospital, and it opened its doors in 1954. The horse show has made an annual donation every year since,” explained Mary Jones, a member of the board of directors. Mary has a personal connection to the horse show and its cause because her daughter is a patient at Texas Children’s Hospital. “During some of the most difficult periods of my daughter’s treatment, she would tell me that riding took her mind off her pain and her illness. As a parent that is priceless." It was because of riding and her friendship with Lynn Walsh, president of Pin Oak, that Mary learned of the horse show’s charitable arm and support of Texas Children’s Hospital. “It's because of Pin Oak and the vision of the founders we have Texas Children’s Hospital,” stated Mary.

Jackson Guillory is honored for his courage and positive attitude Photo: Shawn McMillen Photography

Each Saturday night the staff at Texas Children’s Hospital nominate a special patient to be the guest of honor at the grand prix. Eight-year-old Jackson Guillory was chosen during the second week, and while he knew he was coming to a horse show, he had no idea what was in store for him. “I got to pet a pony and two horses, and I get to watch jumping,” said Jackson enthusiastically. Jackson got to ride a paint pony in the opening ceremonies and was presented with his own set of spurs by a jousting champion in the full regalia of a knight. The spurs symbolize the badge of honor given to young men when they became knights during the Middle Ages, and Jackson’s spurs acknowledge his courage and sunny outlook.

It is for Jackson and all the children who have come before him and all the children that will follow that Lynn Walsh is a passionate advocate for the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show. She is blessed to have two healthy sons who have grown up during her tenure on the board, and her youngest son was born the first year she became involved in 1989. At that time, the horse show and therefore the charity was struggling. There was a dearth of quality horse show facilities, and major donors had moved on and new ones had not been developed.

“My trainer, Peter Pletcher, got me involved to help with the hunter/jumper part of the show and we tried different things. When the Great Southwest Equestrian Center became available, we jumped at the chance to move the show. When Jeff Hildebrand bought the facility a few years ago and gave it a major facelift, the show took off. Pin Oak is on firm footing thanks to a dedicated board of directors, a solid relationship with an excellent facility, and tremendous community support. The show has been recognized by the USEF as a Heritage Show, the highest of many honors bestowed by various equestrian organizations."

While many shows are struggling, this year entries at Pin Oak broke all records, and once again the charity is positioned to make a significant donation to its honored charities. In both 2011 and 2012, Pin Oak Charity donated $125,000. Pin Oak truly lives its motto of “Step up and step out for children.”

Visit the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show website for more information.

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