As the Blenheim EquiSports season comes to a close for 2020, forty-two youngsters ages four to seven came to compete on the grass field for the $58,000 Blenheim EquiSports Young Jumper Championships, presented by Fairbanks Valley Farm. These future stars gained solid miles with top course designers at Blenheim EquiSports shows that offer young horse classes and prize money Classics for free along with reduced stabling fees.
Emily Esau-Williams and HD Kannaslo are Best in the Five-Year-Old Division
After three rounds, two five-year-olds were triple clean in the five-year-old division. Emily Esau-Williams and HD Horses LLC’s chestnut gelding HD Kannaslo’s skill and scope shined through in each of the three rounds, and the pair took home the victory.
Emily Esau-Williams on HD Kannaslo. Photo by McCool Photography.
“We call him Kalvin around the barn and he clearly loves jumping. You can always tell from watching him that he’s having fun out there,” Esau-Williams noted of her partner, “We bought him last November from Stal Kruishorst with these championships as our goal for 2020.”
Also finishing with a no-fault score over the three rounds of competition, Misti Cassar and Portland ETC took home the second-place finish for Elizabeth Kilham. Portland ETC was also awarded as the best USA bred five-year-old.
Michelle Parker and Clear Sailing CCF, owned by Cross Creek Farms, Inc. rounded out the podium with a total of 4 faults in the division.
Natasha Traurig and Jolia BH Shine in the Six-Year-Old Division
Of the eleven six-year-old horses who competed in the six-year-old division, two riders delivered clear rounds in all three classes. A fault-free jump off performance gave Natasha Traurig and Jolia BH the win for Singatel LLC. “It is so gratifying to come here and win the final with her, after all the hard work we have done,” Traurig noted.
Natasha Traurig on Jolia BH. Photo by McCool Photography.
Traurig and the mare have developed a very close bond, “I have been riding her since she was five years old. She is quite a character! Jolia is hot and ready to go, loves a challenge, and wants to win. I get along with her well and let her keep her sass and ambition to have her own style.”
When asked about her goals with Jolia BH for next season, Traurig noted she is looking forward to showing the mare in the seven-year-old young jumper division and championships.
An unfortunate rail in the jump off kept Shawn Cassady and Neil Jones Equestrian LLC’s entry, Cameron, in the second position. Traurig rode Singatel LLC’s entry, Jethro-O to a fault-free performance in the class to finish in third-place overall.
Alexander Azvedo’s ride for Kristina Cain, C. Everest, was awarded the Best USA Bred six-year-old jumper, with a seventh-place finish overall.
Cabacento and Jason McArdle Top the Field in the Seven-Year-Old Division
In the seven-year-old division, Jason McArdle and Fairbanks Valley Farm, LLC’s beautiful gray stallion, Cabacento, were the best of the twelve horse and rider combinations. This was the only duo in the seven-year-old division to provide three fault-free rounds of competition to take the first place honors.
Jason McArdle on Cabacento. Photo by McCool Photography.
McArdle has successfully graduated several talented jumpers from the Young Jumper classes into the Grand Prix classes and Cabacento promises to be another. The judges obviously recognized Cabacento’s talent and natural ability as well, as he was crowned the Best Young Jumper upon the conclusion of this year’s Championships.
Misti Cassar rode to another reserve championship, this time with The Points Guy (Elizabeth Kilham) in the seven-year-old young jumper championships. The pair had a score of just four faults after all three rounds of competition. Third-place honors went to Ivaludine S and Tina Yates, for Highpoint Farms South, LLC. Yates rode the bay mare to a score of four faults as well throughout the competition.
Lutalo was honored with the Best USA Bred award in the seven-year-old young jumper section. The pair rode to a four-fault score overall to take the fourth place prize.
Future Champions Were Recognized in the Four, Five, and Six-Year-Old Divisions
In the Four-Year-Old section, Michelle Parker rode CCF Cornerstone to championship honors for Dana B Nemeth. This age group was judged on jumping type, scope, and technique.
Michelle Parker on CCF Cornerstone. Photo by McCool Photography.
Quinn Ferreira rode Ixchel Mosley’s gray mare, Fleur De Puissance, to the Future championship in the five-year-old section.
Quinn Ferreira aboard Fleur De Puissance. Photo by McCool Photography.
The six-year-old young jumper future championship was a competitive section with five entries vying for the champion honors. Natasha Traurig bested the field yet again, this time with Jirena P, owned by Singatel LLC.
Natasha Traurig on Jirena P. Photo by McCool Photography.
The pair had no deductions after all three rounds of competition and provided the fastest jump off time to earn the victory. “I couldn’t be more grateful to ride such talented young horses, and for my teammate, Victor Aviles, being by our side every step of the way.”
Second-place honors went to Carpetino and Cassie Frost, for Summit Farm, who also had three fault-free rounds and a smooth jump-off performance to take home the red ribbon.
Simon Schroeder took the ride on David Bustillos’ entry, Jenz and rode to a fault-free performance in all three rounds. A forward ride in the jump-off carried him into the third-place finish.
Congratulations to all the competitors, wishing you the best of luck as you continue to grow and show!