Source:  News Release

New Beginnings Mark Colorado Springs April I and II at Norris Penrose Event Center

Baseline (Kramig LLC, owner) is a new mount for 16-year-old Sammie Kramig (Micca Henry Sowder, trainer). In fact, the Castle Rock sophomore only had the seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood for a little more than four weeks before bringing him to the Colorado Springs April I and II (Apr 12-14, 19-21) at the Penrose Equestrian Center.

"Baseline is one of two new Junior Hunters we purchased this year," said Jacqueline Kramig, of Kramig LLC and Sammie's mother. "These last two weeks at Penrose with Langer Equestrian Group have been a perfect experience for him, Micca, and Sammie. It was an ideal atmosphere to start on a horse that is new to us."

Baseline earned a championship in the Performance Hunters 3'3" with Micca in the irons and a second championship in the Low Hunters with Sammie on board during the Colorado Springs April II Show.

Although the horse is still slightly green, rider, trainer and owner alike were impressed by Baseline's scope, movement, work ethic, and dedication. The hope is for him to compete in the Large Junior Hunter division and hunter derbies this season, and they will be back to show at the Colorado Springs venue. "My prediction is that the Langer shows at Penrose will quickly grow to the optimal size in no time at all. The word of mouth is already starting to spread. The facilities at Penrose are great; the stabling is wonderful; the footing is super; the staff is welcoming, capable, and efficient; and the indoor arena is warm and dry during this very unpredictable Colorado season," Jacqueline added.

Larry Langer of Langer Equestrian Group appreciated the shout-out from Jacqueline and others who complimented the state of the show facilities at the Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs, all while noting that what exhibitors see above the ground tells only half of the story. Broken wash racks, water pipes, and culverts have been removed, replaced, or moved underground. The hunter complex is in the process of being upgraded, including changing the footing as well as leveling and enlarging all three rings. Judge's and starter's booths have all been improved, as has the stabling area. Sound and electricity are up next. 

The new addition of a 120' warm-up ring to the indoor ring is a welcome improvement, with entirely new lighting for the existing arena on the agenda for later this year. Because this arena is used primarily for events, and not boarders, lessons, and in-house trainers, it is available to hunter/jumper shows all year long.

There are also exciting improvements to the jumper complex. Behind the indoor ring, the ground sloped down to 8th Street with rocky, wooded, unusable terrain. Larry and Jay, both being engineers, saw the possibility of reclaiming this area if enough dirt could be brought in, enough boulders could be taken out, a huge culvert could be re-routed, a new culvert could be installed, a fire hydrant could be raised, a county easement road could be re-routed, and major grading could be achieved. "No problem," they said.

After more than 38,000 yards of dirt were brought in and the grade was raised more than twenty feet, a huge jumper ring and jumper warm-up ring stands on this previously unusable site.

Johnny Walker, the NPEC General Manager, was enthusiastic and skeptical at the same time. "I wasn't sure we could pull it off to meet the expectations of the hunter/jumper competitors and their trainers, and I knew it would be costly, but it is turning out to be a wonderful improvement to our facility and we are very proud of what we accomplished."

Larry Langer said, "All in all, the transformation of the hunter/jumper complex of the Norris Penrose Event Center is nothing less than fantastic. Charlotte and I are proud of the work done by the Center's management and staff, and we are eagerly looking forward to holding our complete set of Colorado hunter/jumper shows in this Colorado Springs facility for many years to come."

Liz Dennehy and Sir Topham Hat top the combined Amateur Owner/Junior Hunters Photo: iHorse Photo Media Group

Amateur rider Liza Dennehy (Wilson Dennehy, trainer) took advantage of the improvements to the facility to kick off her Colorado show season. With Sir Topham Hat (Cottonwoods, Ltd., owner), she topped the combined Amateur Owner/Junior Hunter section during Week II of the series in Colorado Springs. Her second mount, Now You Know (Cottonwoods, Ltd., owner), was reserve champion following a year-long lay-off after an injury. "I am pleased with how my mare came back," Liza reported. "As best as we can tell, she hurt herself kicking at a fly and has been off since last June. It's great having her back."

Liza said she feels lucky to be able to show both horses and acknowledged their differences. One is a gelding, the other a mare. One is large; the other is small. One comes out of the stall ready to go; the other needs a bit more preparation. While the ride in the show ring is similar, they did differ in one class. "I was riding Sir Topham Hat in the handy hunter class and made a sharper turn than I planned to the second fence, meaning we had to move up to make the line," Liza recalled. "It was as if something clicked in his brain, like a jumper knowing he's in the jump-off. He was great but I really had a lot of horse in that class."

The winner of the Pony/Green Pony Hunter Classic, Cleo Elizabeth Mueller (Ann Hanna, trainer) riding her own Q It Up, also found she had a lot of horse. "Q It Up was a little wild and had spent the first two hunter classes bucking in the corners, which was unusual because we usually have to kind of wind him up in the warm up ring," said her trainer, Ann.

Cleo, who goes to Fountain Valley School, has had Q It Up since 2010 and competes in the Large Pony Hunters, Pony Equitation, and medals. The pair is working to get qualified for the Pony Finals at the end of the season.

Jessica Buxton and Wild Rose win in the combined Adult Amateur/Children's Hunters Photo: iHorse Photo Media Group

Jessica Buxton (Lee Unruh, trainer) has been riding since she was twelve. Now a senior at Pine Creek High, Jessica is competing in her last season as a junior rider. She is starting it out in style with a championship in the combined Adult Amateur/Children's Hunter section as well as a win in the $500 LEGIS Children's/Adult Amateur Hunter Classic aboard her own Wild Rose. "Jessica is very good student that continues to advance," said Lee. "She is always very respectful and has a great sense of humor about herself."

Wild Rose was brought in as a lease horse for Jessica from Southern California almost two years ago. This past year, the Buxtons purchased her. The dark bay Oldenburg mare and Jessica ride in the older children hunters and 3'3" medals. This summer they will be showing at Penrose and High Prairie before Jessica goes off to college.

Horse showing resumes at the Norris Penrose Event Center May 9-12 with the Colorado Springs Spring Preview. In California, the next show at LAEC will be the Gold Coast May Show (May 17-19), while Verdugo Hills 4 (May 11-12) is at Hansen Dam Equestrian Center. In Northern California, things are officially under way with the Woodside Spring Preview (Apr 25-28).

Barnmice News story brought to you by:

GET Horsey. HUGE selection, HUGE Savings on brands you love … Always