Susie Griffis and Udine (Palmer Divide Ranch, owner) topped the $2,500 Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic held during the Colorado Circuit Preview July 1-4 and Susie could not be more pleased with the result.
"I went second and was having a nice round, but then I pulled a rail at the last jump. I thought it was over," Susie said. "It turns out that no one ended up going clean in the first round, so the four-faulters jumped off. My mare was very kind and we were able to quickly and cleanly negotiate the course."
Susie and Udine have been a pair for just a year and according to Susie, her mare is "really fun, really fast and really jumps high." At first, however, it didn't look like it was going to be a good match. "We were trying her out with Peter Bulthuis and when I saw her jump, I thought there was no way I could ride her. The man showing her to us turned to me and said, 'You have a little trouble driving a Porsche at first too but then you get used to it.' It was funny but also very true."
Horse-showing is a family sport for the Griffis clan. Older daughter Haley was entered in the $2,500 Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic and competed against her mother after doing very well in the Low Junior Jumpers. Younger daughter Georgia was a star in the 1.25M Jumpers. Father Ian continues to be very supportive of the sport and gets out to watch as much as he can.
"I am very lucky to have all the great support I get from my husband," Susie added. "He's the best and the girls love it when he comes to see them!"
Castalano (Sandwillow Farm, owner) and Katie Albrecht finished second in the Junior/AO Jumper Classic while Constantin 28 (Redfield Farm, owner) and Olivia Chowdry were third. Two entries ridden and owned by Alvaro Becker, Chutney and Ginger, finished fourth and fifth.
"Fast" and "challenging" are two words Lyriss Jaeger, champion in the Children’s Jumpers, has used to describe her horse George. Of course, most of us would agree that these can be good qualities in a jumper.
"I've only had George for about eight months now but I really enjoy riding him -- he is really fun to jump," said the incoming junior at Palmer Ridge High School. "Even though we had a rough start at this show, he really came through in the end."
Lyriss normally trailers her horse nearly an hour and a half to train with Jill Pelzel in Ft. Lupton, Colorado. Unfortunately, Jill was unable to come to the show so Lyriss was coached by Cynthia Moore during the Preview week at the Colorado Horse Park. It was a great experience according to Lyriss and she was appreciative of all the pointers Cynthia provided.
"Cynthia was really good with us. George can be very challenging. He is so powerful sometimes that I lose my reins! But he is really fast and has taught me a lot. I was happy to have her help me," Lyriss noted.
Over in the hunter rings, the big event was the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Classic. Keiri Kaneps rode Kashmir (Austin Aibel, owner) to the win.
"This horse really got his 'smart' on this week," Keiri said. "I am very proud of him. He is just coming six but he is very scopey and fun to ride. In fact, I knew I was going to love him because 'Kashmir' is my all-time favorite song," she added with a laugh.
"We are based out of the Colorado Horse Park," said Keiri. "We are so lucky to be able to show here all the time. The facility is fantastic! And the improvements that have been made, well, they just make it better for everyone."
Rounding out the top slots in the class were Karen Banister and First Class Ticket (Kay Chester, owner) in second and Sage Flynn riding her Enchanted in third.
According to Charlotte Skinner, the Colorado show manager for Langer Equestrian Group, several key enhancements have been made to the show facility including new tent pads in the stabling area, a larger and better RV lot, a re-shaped arena for Jumper Ring 2, an enhanced base and footing in the Derby Field, and a new stabling office location right at the Park entrance to provide easier access upon arrival. Most important, the management continues to provide night watch service at no cost to the exhibitor leading to increased peace of mind.
"We listened to what exhibitors and visitors to our shows were saying and we took action," Skinner noted. "One of the biggest things was adding new bathrooms in the stable and vendor areas with air conditioning and running water. It may not seem like a lot, but competitors and others really appreciate it."
Horse showing continues at the Colorado Horse Park with the Colorado Circuit Opener. Special classes include the $25,000 High Prairie Grand Prix, the $5,000 Speed Derby and the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Classic.
For more information about the Colorado Circuit Preview, including complete results, visit http://www.langershows.com/colorado/show_details.php?show_id=138.
The Colorado summer circuit will continue July 14-18 with the Rocky Mountain Classic, while hunter/jumper action continues in California for Gold Coast 5 at LAEC July 23-25.
For more information about Langer Equestrian Group and all the shows, visit www.langershows.com.
