Equitation competition was showcased Tuesday, July 7, marking the return of the popular Equitation Tuesday series at the 2020 Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF), presented by CaptiveOne Advisors LLC. Providing the opportunity for equitation riders to acquire double the amount of typically available qualifying points at one horse show, a number of junior riders elected to participate in the additional day of competition during Week Two of GLEF. In the ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Horsemanship class, it was Molly Canfield who claimed the top spot and the majority of the qualifying points.
Molly Canfield on Gameboy N. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.
Demonstrating correct position and accuracy over course designer Keith Bollotte’s track, Canfield rode a seamless round aboard Don Stewart’s Gameboy N to best the field of 15 competitors in the ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Horsemanship class. Their win in the competitive 3’6” class initiates what is hopefully the start to a successful week of showing in Traverse City.
Canfield and the 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding have been partnered together for nearly two years now and have celebrated great success together in equitation classes across the country. Under the tutelage of Lorrie Canady and Molly McAdow of Galway Farm, Canfield and “Gameboy” have their sights set on the 2020 ASPCA Maclay Championships, a championship they successfully made it to in 2019.
In other equitation divisions, Tessa Downey and HH Moonshine won the Dover Saddlery USEF Hunter Seat Medal while Grady Lyman and Criminal Minds were best in the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search. In the Adult Medals, Olivia Parr and Gold Coin placed first in the THIS NHS Adult Medal and the Ariat Adult Medal.
Tessa Downey and HH Moonshine. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.
Weeks Three, Four and Five of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented by CaptiveOne Advisors LLC, will also feature Equitation Tuesdays, giving young equitation competitors chances to shine in the ring as the daily showcase.