Source:  News Release

Mothers and Others Enjoy the Show Experience During
Colorado Springs Spring Preview And Spring Classic

It was a great Mother's Day for amateur Danice Grisham (Laurie Jueneman, trainer), who won the $1,000 LEGIS Childrens/Adult Amateur Hunter Classic aboard Dolce (Dorothy Loughran, owner) during the Colorado Springs Spring Preview (May 9-12). She not only notched her very first hunter classic win, but it happened while she was at the show with her daughter, Carson, who was having her own success in the pony hunter and jumper rings.

Kris Nixon and Better Days have a great day when they win the Colorado Springs Spring Preview $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby Photo: iHorse Photo Media Group

"I told Carson this was the perfect way to celebrate Mother's Day," said Danice. "Being here at the show with her and sharing our love of horses together made it so special. I will always remember that on Mother's Day 2013, I won my very first classic and got to share the whole experience with my daughter."

Danice has only been riding for about five years. She picked up the sport because, as she says, she didn't want to sit around while her daughter was taking lessons. She took over the ride on Dolce when the mare's owner encountered some health issues earlier in the year. While Danice insists she is merely "keeping the saddle warm for Dory," the pair is making a name in the Adult Amateur Hunters with good placings throughout the most recent shows at the Norris Penrose Equestrian Center.

"Dolce is an incredible mare with the heart of a champion," Danice remarked. "She did most of the work in my classic round. I only had to give her a little pull in the six-stride by the gate and that was it. She saw all the distances for me."

As the co-owner of an oil and gas company and a busy mom, Danice knows that being successful requires hard work and a great balance. "It's not possible to cut corners when it comes to getting experience, but I try to balance everything out with work, family, and horses. I am glad I can share this experience with my daughter and that my husband and son are so supportive."

Madison Soffer is so fine in the $1,500 LEGIS Childrens/Adult Amateur Jumper Classic Photo: iHorse Photo Media Group

Junior rider Madison Soffer (Mary Faldasz, trainer) also enjoyed the first week of shows in Colorado Springs. As the champion in the $1,500 LEGIS Childrens/Adult Amateur Jumper Classic as well as section champion, she had a lot to celebrate. "Since it was my first show since September, I didn't have my eye and I was a little nervous about everything," the Aspen High School freshman reported. "I thought the show was a lot of fun and a great starting point for my season. I absolutely plan on going back!" she said.

Despite nerves, she and her horse Zimo managed a double clear in the classic. A versatile horse, the nine-year-old Belgium Warmblood is competitive in all three rings. Madison purchased him several years back from Ken and Emily Smith of Ashland Farms in Florida.

Kris Nixon also plans on heading back to Norris Penrose Equestrian Center for more showing throughout the season. She commented about the great improvements to the facility. "We loved the footing and the ring was well-dressed with inviting jumps," she said. "It's just a nice place to go horse show."

And she should know. Riding her Better Days, Kris was champion in the Colorado Springs Spring Preview $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby and champion in the combined First Year Green/Second Year Green/High Performance Hunters during the Colorado Springs Spring Classic (May 16-19).

When asked what she likes most about Better Days, Kris replied that she likes everything about him. "I worked hard to get him to where he is, but he is pretty much my perfect horse now. We are really good about reading and respecting each other's moods. Of course he is 16 now, so that helps," she added with a laugh.

Mickie Sage tops the Colorado Springs Spring Classic  $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby Photo: iHorse Photo Media Group

Another professional, Mickie Sage, won the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby during the Colorado Springs Spring Classic aboard Harlu (Laurie Brants, owner). The horse, which just turned six, was originally purchased as a jumper. However, when Mickie had to kick him around a 1.0M class last fall just to get him to go fast enough, she suggested they try him in the hunters. The decision seems to have worked out well. "Harlu is great," Mickie said. "He is brave and will jump anything. His only disadvantage in the hunter ring is that he didn't come up through the ranks there so we have to sort of 'fast-track' his hunter training."

Progress on Harlu has been slow. He needed to finish growing, gain some much needed maturity, and become easier to handle. "He can be a rascal," Mickie noted. "But he really is turning into a quality horse."

As for the show facility and staff, Mickie had nothing but praise. "Everyone is very accommodating and supportive. The grounds are going to look beautiful, especially when everything turns green. And it is great to have riding trails right next to the facility. It is clear that Langer Equestrian Group hasn't cut any corners in working to make these shows nice."

Drew Quagliano makes a great showing in the $7,500 Spring Classic Mini-Prix Photo: iHorse Photo Media Group

Drew Quagliano (Tracye Ferguson, trainer), who was champion in the Modified Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper section and reserve champion in the $7,500 Spring Classic Mini-Prix on her Valois, also enjoyed the facility and all the city of Colorado Springs has to offered. Drew is hoping to qualify for the Zone 8 North American Junior and Young Rider Championships Young Rider Team, so she used the Spring Classic to see where she was on her new mount. She was pleased to see that she and Valois had no problems negotiating the technical aspects of the courses they faced, especially in the mini-prix. "This was a great first outing for us," Drew said. "The show was laid back, and I really liked that there were things to do when I wasn't showing. We had a great time going to the zoo."

Horse showing continues at the Norris Penrose Equestrian Center this week with the Colorado Springs Spring Final (May 23-26). And get ready for the show series kicking off in June, when Langer Equestrian Group offers two exciting shows in one week with $40 in free entry fee credit for up to three classes per horse. Don't miss out!

Things are really heating up in Southern California with the ever-popular Memorial Day Classic (May 23-27), while the VH Show Series continues June 1-2 with Verdugo Hills 5. In Northern California, horse showing continues with Woodside Circuit Opener (June 19-23) and Bay Area Summer Festival (June 26-30).

For more information on Langer Equestrian Group and all the shows, including prize lists and results, visit the newly redesigned website.

Barnmice News story brought to you by Omega Alpha

Omega Alpha has you covered for all your equine natural supplements -
plus human and pet needs too!