On Saturday, July 8, the combination bested a competitive class of 23, to take the win in the $70,000 Ariat® Grand Prix for the Mayor’s Cup, after stopping the jump-off timers at 44.245 seconds. Second place was captured by the quick Katharin Gualtieri, of Morrison, CO, and Castalano, owned by Sandwillow Farm, with a jump-off time of 46.260 seconds. Derek Braun of Lexington, KY, rode Lacarolus, owned by MRN Family Corp, to third place with a jump-off time of 47.249 seconds.
 |
| Alex Granato and Charlchen-W. PC: Alison Hartwell |
Of Carlchen W’s performance in the class, Granato said, “I was very happy with him today. I think it was a very good course. It was really fair for the field, and there were a lot of really good riders out here today.”
“The jump-off was competitive. After going fast and winning the Welcome Stake the other day, my biggest goal, as I know already that he’s naturally fast, was just to keep his focus as we kept a quick speed and not get too crazy myself,” he continued.
 |
| Katharin Gualtieri and Castalano. PC: Alison Hartwell |
Granato and the 2008 Mecklenburg gelding (Chacco-Blue x Celline-W) owned by Page Tredennick, started off their week by dominating the $20,000 Carolina Arena Equipment Welcome Stake, completing the jump-off with a speed round of 39.702 seconds.
“I was really pleased with him. He’s still a young horse with only really a year of experience doing competitive upper level classes. He’s really stepped up and is having and awesome year. I couldn’t ask for more,” commented Granato.
 |
| Derek Braun and Lacarolus. PC: Alison Hartwell |
 |
| Alex Granato and Charlchen W in their presentation ceremony with Meg Krueger; COO of The Colorado Horse Park, Mike Waid, Mayor of Parker, CO, Sarah Tredennick of The Colorado Horse Park, and Ulrik Clemenson. PC: Alison Hartwell |
The duo has steadfast goals for the future, and Granato plans to continue with his competitive streak. With a few more FEI competitions on the horizon, Granato is eager to continue their education.
“Our biggest long term goals are definitely to continue stepping up,” he said. “Right now we’ve got some national classes that we’re doing now to give him some time to cool down after he has come out of the three-star competitions. We did about three weeks of FEI between the Winter Equestrian Festival. Our current plan is to just keep it more level until the fall, where we will move back up and do some FEI to get ready for the next Wellington show season and he’s ready for those four-stars.”
Jumper Highlights
Alex Granato and Carlchen W earned top honors in the $20,000 Carolina Arena Equipment Welcome Stake earlier in the week, while second place was awarded to Bjorn Ikast of Parker, CO, and Chestina Z, owned by Ikast, after a solid first round, followed by a jump-off time of 41.535 seconds. Ikast also clinched the third-place spot with Colorado, also owned by Ikast, after a quick jump-off time of 43.048 seconds.
 |
|
Alex Granato and Carlchen W in their presentation ceremony with
Ruth and David Detweiler of Carolina Arena Equipment. PC: Alison Hartwell
|
Describing his ride aboard Carlchen W, Granato said, “This is the first class that I have jumped with Carl out here, so he’s a bit fresh today. He did feel really good though. He was a bit strong in the first round but he finished up well so I thought that I could take a good shot in the jump-off. I think the biggest place that made the difference with us was the first line. After the first roll-back I did a seven from the oxer to the vertical, where most riders did eight. I just tried to stay at that pace and keep it as quick as I could.”
Earlier in the week, Giavanna Rinaldi of Wayne, IL, and Always Me, owned by Carben Farms LLC, clinched the championship ribbon in the Under 25 $10,000 Classic. The pair stopped jump-off timers in 38.887 seconds. Second place was awarded to Brooke Cudmore of Omaha, NE, aboard Cassin, owned by Blair Cudmore, after a jump-off time of 41.604 seconds. Kelli Cruciotti of Elizabeth, CO, slid in to third-place position with four faults and a jump-off time of 40.143 seconds.
 |
| Giavanna Rinaldi and Always Me. PC: Alison Hartwell |
The pair bested a group of 17 horse and rider combinations. Rinaldi continued, “I thought the course rode really well. It tested us and was big enough for the group that went in there. The horse answered everything that I asked of her. In the jump-off, I saw the first rider go and she had a nice ride and was quick. I knew that I could make up the time and she is a super careful and scopey horse. She really responded to me well.”
 |
| Giavanna Rinaldi and Always Me in their presentation ceremony. PC: Alison Hartwell |
The $2,000 Holiday Inn Parker Low Children’s Jumper Classic was won by Lauren McCaulley of Medina, MN, and her own Will O’ Wisp, completing the jump-off in 37.36 seconds. Makena Schutz of Golden, CO, slid into second place after the jump-off with 40.975 seconds, aboard Little Lucia, owned by Debbie Weigers. Third place was awarded to Grace Platt of Weatherford, TX, and Sheishof’s Gloria, owned by October Hill Hunters and Jumpers, after an initial time of 63.326 seconds.
Kai Devoglaer of Austin, TX, won the $2,000 Holiday Inn Parker Low Adult Jumper Classic with MTM Farm’s own MTM Yowza, after stopping the jump-off timers at 28.912 seconds. Second place was won by Alexandra Benson of Orem, UT, aboard her own Gotham, finishing with a jump-off time of 30.155 seconds. Emma Tellor of Vail, CO, took third place with Patita A., owned by Tellor, on a jump-off time of 30.659 seconds.
The $2,000 Front Range Kubota Modified Child/Adult Jumper Classic awarded first place to Katherine Robertson of Kansas City, MO, and her own Tenbrooks, after completing the jump-off in a quick 34.901 seconds. Joshua Baird of St. Charles, IL, rode Sonas Douglas, owned by Heidi Schaefer, to second place after completing the jump-off in 38.966 seconds. Third place was captured by Gianna Lanteri of Windsor, CO, and her own Cayenne, finishing the jump-off in 39.234 seconds.
 |
| Sophia Vaughan and Joey. PC: Alison Hartwell |
The $4,000 Osphos® NAL/WIHS Children’s Jumper Classic was won by Sophia Vaughan of Scottsdale, AZ, riding her own Joey. The pair completed the jump-off track in 43.244 seconds and 4 faults, to secure the win. Second place was awarded to Sabrina Ohlrogge of Littleton, CO, and Alando, owned by Victoria Hoft, with a jump-off time of 43.807 seconds, and 4 faults. Jenna Thomas of Golden, CO, placed third on Contessa, owned by Katie Thomas, with an initial time of 90.041 seconds.
The $4,000 Osphos® NAL/WIHS Adult Jumper Classic was won by Christina Matthews of Denver, CO, riding her own Neolisto Van Het Mierenhof. The pair completed the jump-off track in 38.453 seconds to secure the win. Second place was awarded to Katey Kozeny of Omaha, NE, and V.P.N., owned by Michael Kirby, with a jump-off time of 39.542 seconds. Mari Wooldridge of Parker, CO, placed third with a jump-off time of 41.805 seconds aboard Feral Errol, owned by Gina Fiore.
The $5,000 Ariat® NAL Low Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic was won by Giavanna Rinaldi of Wayne, IL, and Charley VDL, owned by Amanda Flint, with a jump-off time of 34.923 seconds. Second place also went to Rinaldi and aboard Zara, owned by Haylie Rolfe, after finishing the jump-off in 35.779 seconds. Rounding out the third-place position was Hannah Holik of Jackson, WY, and Casall, owned by Czech Mate, LLC, who completed the short course in 36.689 seconds.
The $5,000 Medium Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic saw a winning jump-off time of 38.162 seconds from Madeline Thatcher of Bluffdale, UT, riding Skilliane De Varnel, owned by Pony Lane Farm. Amy Gallagher of Scottsdale, AZ, and Viking, owned by Gallagher, captured second place with a jump-off time of 9.286 seconds ahead of Tali Dejong of Golden, CO, and D Adermie R*, owned by Dejong, who completed the track in 39.569 seconds.
Giavanna Rinaldi of Wayne, IL, and Always Me, owned by Carben Farms LLC, captured another win later in the week, in the $10,000 Griffis Residential High Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic with a jump-off time of 34.21 seconds. Sydney Hutchins of Westlake Village, CA, captured second place aboard her own Zorlando. Third place was awarded to Brandon Howard of Flower Mound, TX, and HF Costa Rica, owned by Homeward Farms, with a jump-off time of 34.655 seconds and four faults.
Hunter Highlights
Zoe Rucks of Boulder, CO, topped the Short Stirrup Hunter Classic, riding GF Gala, owned by Amanda Walsh, to best the class. Second place was presented to Rylee Cudney of Monument, CO, on Wild Rose, owned by Claire Buxton. Third place went to Kaitlin Johnson of Conifer, CO, and her own Wink At The Judge.
The Long Stirrup Hunter Classic was won by Olivia Harman of Parker, CO, and Eddie Rascal, owned by Beckie Harman. Second place went to Nia Garza of Kaysville, UT, riding It’s Only Money, owned by Cami Gustaveson. Third place was presented to Ryan Wight of Castle Pines, CO, and Back-A-Roo, owned by Wight.
The Rusty Stirrup Hunter Classic saw a win awarded to Heather Chenault of Parker, CO, and her own Collin. Second place went to Kendra Alcock of Parker, CO, piloting her own La Martina. Third place was awarded to Lindy Hinman of Boulder, CO, and her own Money Never Sleeps.
The $1,000 Marshall & Sterling NAL/ WIHS Children’s Hunter Classic awarded first place to Olivia Stordahl of Centennial, CO, aboard her own Golden Girl. Second place was captured by Grace Gallagher of Scottsdale, AZ, piloting Reagan Gallagher’s Cinderella. Third place went to Ainslee Gregg of Frisco, TX, riding her own Toska.
Abigail Friedman of San Francisco, CA, captured the victory in the $1,000 Marshall & Sterling NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic aboard Gavroche, owned by Summerhouse Farm, LLC. Kai Devoglaer of Austin, TX, took the second-place finish with MTM Here’s 2 You, owned by Candu Farm. Third place went to Carol Tucker of Elizabeth, CO, and her own Totem Pole.
Jordan Gibbs of Colorado Springs, CO, won the $1,000 GumBits Pony Hunter Classic riding GF Elliot, owned by Gibbs. Second place went to Maggie Huffman of Mountain Bark, AL, piloting her own Touch The Sun. Third place honors were presented to Jordan Gibbs, riding Party Time, also owned by Gibbs.
The Pre-Children’s Hunter Classic awarded first place to Mackenzie Barton of Kapaa, HI, and The Beat Goes On, owned by Olivia Contillo. Gentry Bersford of Cherry Hills Village, CO, took second place, piloting Silver Lining, owned by Bersford. Third place saw a victory for Sophia Rodawig of Greenwood Village, CO, riding Marlena Carlson’s A Thousand Words.
Molly Swank of Centennial, CO, was the champion of the Pre-Adult Hunter Classic aboard her own Tango Elite. Second place went to Cindy Lewis of Boulder, CO, and her own Clooney. Third place was presented by Karen Leventhal-Zucker of Evergreen, CO, and her own Look Twice.
The Modified Adult Hunter Classic saw the win go to Jennifer Devening of Austin, TX, and her own Reddington, while second place was captured by Lisa Kelly of Stilwell, KS, and Fitzpatrick, owned by Kelly.
The Modified Children’s Hunter Classic presented the blue ribbon to Reagan Gallagher of Scottsdale, AZ, and her own Cinderella. Second place finish was awarded to Hope Wood of Austin, TX, and Willow Spring Paul, owned by Miranda Seade. Third place honors went to Paige Douglass aboard Rachel Goss’ Chick A Dee.
Kelly Lorek of Manchaca, TX, won the $1,000 Green Hunter 3’/3’3″ Classic with Jillian Christman’s own MTM Bali. Second place was awarded to Alex Granato of Wellington, FL, and Haribo, owned by Nicole Lyvere. Karen Catov-Goodell of Colorado Springs, CO, this time aboard Perseus YC, owned by Erin Gibbs, rounded out the top three finishers.
The $1,000 CWD Junior Hunter 3’6″ Classic saw a victory for Abigail Albrecht of Austin, TX, riding her own MTM Nameworthy. Albrecht also clinched second place, piloting MTM Flash Dance to the top two sweep. Third place was won by Mackenzie Altheimer of Defiance, MO, aboard Escondido, owned by ABA Hunter Ponies.
Ainslee Gregg of Frisco, TX, rode her own Valentine to the first-place finish in the the $1,000 CWD Junior Hunter 3’3″ Classic. Olivia Welsh of Diablo, CA, took second place aboard her own Maple Bay. Third place went to Sienna Brothers of Niceville, FL, and her own Wanelo.
The $1,000 Mile High Golf Carts Amateur Owner Hunter 3’3″/ 3’6″ Classic saw a top finish for Cherie Callander of Sonoma, CA, and Pacific Heights, owned by Callander. Second place was awarded to Nicole Lyvere of Denver, CO, and Vaillero took second place, while Lyvere also took third place aboard her own All In.
The 2017 Summer In The Rockies Series will resume on Wednesday, July 12, with the start of the sixth consecutive week of competition. For more information on The Colorado Horse Park, please visit www.coloradohorsepark.