Source: News Release/Marnye Langer
From Birthday Wishes to Maui Finishes and a Derby Delight in the Middle
Woodside Fall Finale Celebrates the Conclusion of the Woodside Season
The very exciting race for the Maui Trainer Incentive reached the finish line at Woodside Fall Finale (Sep 29-Oct 2), with a surprise ending: despite Diane Yeager's firm lead throughout the season, Toni McIntosh passed her on the very last day of the Woodside Fall Finale and there was jubilation in her barn when she claimed the prize of a vacation at a beautiful Maui resort.
"We didn't know we were in the running for it until we went to the last show," Toni shared. "The clients were really cute about it. They always do their best, but once we knew we had a chance of winning the trip they really took it upon themselves to do extra well to give it the best shot for us. It made the show really fun, and it was a lovely surprise when we found out we won the trip. We horse trainers don't take many vacations so it will be a good excuse to get away from the barn."
McIntosh Stables made a great showing at Woodside, taking home many ribbons in jumpers and equitation. Iain Finlay was champion in .90M Children's/Adult Amateur Jumpers with his The Flying Dutchman after placing first or second in all of his classes. Elizabeth Tevis and Precious Princess (Toni McIntosh, owner) were champion in Opportunity Cross Rails, placing in the top three in all of their classes, and Michelle Morsey was second in the CPHA Child/Adult Medal Final.
"We've had a fantastic year," Toni noted. "We've had numerous champions in the jumper division and the equitation and medal riders have really stepped up, worked really hard, won some good prizes, and got into some finals. We are headed for Nor Cal Medal Finals next week and have two riders going to the Onondarka Medal Final in November."
There were other celebrations going on in the jumper ring as well, including some birthday fun for Daniel Zilla in the $7500 Woodside Fall Jumper Classic. The class was held on his birthday, and Daniel gave himself a little gift by flying straight to the top of the standings with the only clean round on Lexia B (Branscomb Farms, owner). "The Classic was a good, challenging course (Florencio Hernandez, designer) that covered a lot of ground and included several elements that seem unique to Woodside: a combination right by the spectators and a difficult line away from the in-gate to a maximum oxer just below the judges stand at the end of the course," said KC Branscomb, owner of Branscomb Farms and Daniel's boss.
This is the second year in a row that Daniel won this class on a Branscomb Farms entry, so he seems to be on a roll. "It's always a pleasure to watch Daniel ride, and we were both proud of Lexia because she is a small mare, not even 16 hands, and has only recently moved up to contest the bigger open classes," KC continued.
KC brought 10 horses to the show, most of which were four, five, and six-year-olds. "All the youngsters were good," she remarked. "I think the standouts for me were the two five-year-old farm bred stallions Contiano B and Calatino B, both of which demonstrated a lot of maturity by jumping consistent clean rounds around the grand prix field each day. I like the opportunity to give our youngsters competition experience in two different rings and the selection of fence heights and broad range of classes at Woodside make that possible."
Second place in the classic went to Erika Wright aboard Tarkan (Malcolm MacNaughton, owner). This pair also won the $1,000 Open Welcome 1.35M and a 1.25M Jumpers class, which made them 1.25M Jumper reserve champions. "Tarkan is a very competitive horse with a tremendous heart," Erika said. "I am very pleased with our achievements this season and for surpassing our goals this year."
Erika topped 20 other entries in the 1.10M Jumpers with Cortez (Jamey Jonathan, owner) in his first show at this height. "That was his first time showing in that arena. It was a fantastic class with many talented professionals. The course asked of a lot of galloping, and that is exactly what I wanted to do as well as being cautious to stay clean."
Hunter derby enthusiasts found some fun challenges at the $2500 USHJA National 3' Hunter Classic, when 14 horse and rider combinations battled it out over two rounds for the top title. In the end, Priscilla Trees of Northern Run, LLC reigned supreme aboard Diamond River (Abigail Freidman, owner), a horse she's been riding for just a few months. Priscilla gets help on the ground from Northern Run's owner and head trainer, Cindy Brooks.
"The Derby was really fun," Priscilla commented. "The course designer (Ben Chisholm) did a great job designing a course that was technically challenging with some stride options incorporating the bonus jumps but keeping a nice flow. In the second round he also incorporated a one stride sheep's pen, which you don't often see, with different approach options. I appreciate that Woodside offers a derby; these classes are a great way to showcase all the different levels of hunters together. I like to see the hunters highlighted for a change, and it was a good way to show off Diamond's talent and versatility."
Although this was Diamond's first derby appearance, he handled the natural obstacles and more challenging track with ease. "The sheep's pen was the only place I did not choose the bonus approach, because I was in the lead and didn't want to risk it since Diamond is still green," Priscilla explained. "Also, I thought the other approach would do a better job showing off his jumping style. Diamond jumped through it great! Other than the sheep's pen I chose all the 3'5" options, because I think it's important to do this if you want a chance at winning. Diamond is a Green Conformation horse so he does these options with ease." In addition to their win in the classic, Priscilla and Diamond River also won almost all of their classes and ended the show as champions in the Green/Regular Conformation Hunters.
Katie Gilhuly (Millennium Farm, trainer) piloted her Perseus to wins in almost all of her classes and was Children's Hunters 14-17 Champion. "Katie was great," said Nancy Thomas of Millennium Farm. "I thought she rode beautifully. She is very talented and always puts in some good rounds at every show, but this time she was really focused. Whatever I told her to work on each time she entered the ring, she did exactly what I asked. Her last round on Sunday, she really thought her way around the course and kept her horse balanced. He has a big step so he can really get rolling. It was a really smart ride from beginning to end."
Katie, a sophomore at Menlo School, manages to balance riding with her many different interests like volleyball and lacrosse. "Because I can't commit as much time to everything in order to participate in all the things I love, I do my best to focus on what I am doing at that moment in a game or a horse show and not think about the other things I have coming up," Katie explained. "I also remind myself that I am doing the things I love, and that usually motivates me to try to do my best. At Woodside Fall Finale, Percy was awesome and I felt like we did a better job at fixing the little details that always seem to keep us one step away from doing our best." Katie has her sights set on moving into the 3'6" equitation classes.
Also from Millennium Farm, nine-year-old Sara Murphy had a great show and won all but one of her classes in the Opportunity Future Rider section and earned herself the title of champion. This young girl, who was just learning to ride properly at the trot and canter four months ago, has worked very hard to improve her skills. "Within three shows she went from poles to cross rails and now her next goal is verticals," explained Sara's trainer, Jill Hamilton. "These Opportunity classes give the kids a framework to progress; going straight to short stirrup would be overwhelming for a lot of them. It's great that they can start with poles, learn how to make circles and lines, then move on to crossrails and up from there. From a business standpoint, the Woodside shows are great for us because everyone gets to be included with all the different types of classes."
Many equitation riders are making merry with the advent of medal season. At Woodside Fall Finale, the CPHA Child/Adult Medal Final was a two-day competition held over a 3' course. Eleven entries vied for the championship title, and Camilla Jorst (Lynn Mullins, trainer) claimed it. "I had a lot of fun with the CPHA Child/Adult Medal Final," Camilla said. "The horse I rode recently came back from having a couple of years off, so I was really proud of the way we worked together. I felt like it was a great bonding experience," Camilla commented. "The first day was very fun, yet challenging at the same time. The second day I loved the course because I was able to showcase the strengths of my horse throughout the ride. The course designer (Ben Chisholm) did a great job creating fun and challenging courses. My horse is very adjustable, so I was able to showcase that by taking inside turns and adjusting him in the lines."
In addition to the good mix of competitors and beautiful show grounds, Camilla enjoyed being made to feel special by horse show management. "The finalists were very well taken care of. I felt like the show was very much centered on the finals. We all received lots of cool things just for being a part of the finals, and the final awards ceremony was very personalized. It was great!"
The CPHA Horsemanship Medal Final was also held during the show, and Cassie Barber (Toni Venza, trainer) swept both rounds and the work off to clinch the championship. She and her mount, Just Sasha (Aisha A. Krechuniak, owner), were also Modified Child/Adult Hunter Reserve Champions.
In the Nor Cal 3' Junior/Amateur Medal class, riders hoped to get the last qualification points they needed for the upcoming NorCal Medal Finals. In the end, amateur rider Rebecca Fahrendorf (Kelly Maddox, trainer) came out on top. "Rebecca is a very natural rider with a natural feel," Kelly explained. "Rebecca works very hard in her profession in the banking industry and is able to come back to the show ring with a very positive and fun attitude."
Rebecca rode with Hap Hansen for a few years after college then took a break from riding, but she is back and has now been with Kelly for three years. She is headed for NorCal Medal Finals and is looking forward to the challenge. "Rebecca is a great student to have in the barn," Kelly added. "She is competitive and has fun at the same time. It is always a pleasure for a trainer to teach a naturally talented rider."
Kelly did some of her own riding in the show, taking Almost Famous (Amanda Rael, owner) to a championship in Low Hunters. "Almost Famous is a fantastic mare," Kelly remarked. "She has a great disposition and loves her job. I have had her in my barn for about five years with a couple of different owners. She is a super show horse because her temperament is so consistent and she is very easy to maintain. We do not have to longe her or school her up; she just enjoys her job, which makes her fun to ride."
Woodside Fall Finale was the perfect way to finish off the show year with a bang.
For more information about the L.A. International Jumping Festival, including complete results, visit langershows.com/woodside.
Medal final season is well under way, and Gold Coast 7 (Oct. 20-23) will host the 2011 CPHA Horsemanship and CPHA Child/Adult Regional Finals, while pony riders are gearing up for West Coast Pony Finals at the National Preview Horse Show (Nov 9-13). Verdugo Hills League Preview (Oct 28-29) is up next at Hansen Dam.
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