Chenoa McElvain and Kelly Cruciotti Claim First Big Wins of Colorado Horse Park Summer Season

Chenoa McElvain and Wallstreet RC

Parker, CO – June 12, 2017 – Chenoa McElvain of Lemitar, NM, and Wallstreet RC captured the win in the $30,000 Transwest Truck Trailer RV Grand Prix on Saturday, June 10, at The Colorado Horse Park (CHP), to continue a successful first week of competition at the 2017 Summer in the Rockies Series.

McElvain and Wallstreet RC, a 2007 Swedish Warmblood stallion (Cardento x R.Z. Calettina Retto) owned by Guy McElvain, snatched the win in the first major class of the summer circuit, with a jump-off time of 42.07 seconds. Karen Cudmore of Omaha, NE, and Southern Pride, owned by Blair Cudmore, took second place with timers stopping at 40.534 seconds, while adding four penalties. Charlie Carrel of Sheridan, WY, and Utopik, owned by Louise Plank, finished the track with four faults and a jump-off time of 42.252 seconds.

McElvain has been riding the stallion for the past five years and the duo recently competed in their first AIG $1 Million Grand Prix in Thermal, CA, this past spring.

“He’s been a big project for me for a long time,” said McElvain. “I’m so lucky to have this horse.”

She continued, “I thought the course designer did a great job. He made it more technical than the Welcome and it tested our versatility. It was fun to be out there in the jump-off with Karen and Charlie as well, competing with the top guns of the group.”

Chenoa McElvain and Wallstreet RC in their presentation ceremony with Andrew Lyons of Transwest Truck Trailer RV, Meg Krueger; COO of The Colorado Horse Park, and Marion Maybank, Show Manager.

The duo mapped out their jump-off plan, as only one of three combinations to advance to the short course. Mauricio Garcia, who built a tough but positive track for the competitors, managed the evening’s course design.

“When it came down to the jump-off, I tried to stay in Karen’s tracks. She did the seven to the last oxer, which actually threw me outside of her track slightly, but my horse took care of me and luckily we jumped it clear.”

Kelli Cruciotti and Haylie van de Groenendijk

Earlier in the week, Kelli Cruciotti of Parker, CO, and Haylie van de Groenendijk, a 2007 Belgian Warmblood mare (Catalano x Evica VD Groenendijk), owned by Serenity Farm, bested competition in the $20,000 Open Welcome Stake. Brooke Cudmore of Omaha, NE, and mount Cassin, owned Blair Cudmore, followed in second position, jumping the track in 41.676 seconds. Following in third place was Shannon Hicks of Lake St. Louis, MO, and Emir D, owned by Helen Gilbert, on a time of 42.121 seconds.

Cruciotti commented, “I thought the course was great. Week one, it’s nice to have something that is inviting and comfortable for the horses, but challenging as well. Our first-round rode really well, and then I thought that in the jump-off we were given a lot of options.”

Kelli Cruciotti and Haylie van de Groenendijk in their presentation ceremony with Show Manager Marion Maybank.

The pair united last year and after a blip in their competition season last summer, Cruciotti has been bringing her back slowly. This was the first major class the duo has jumped since returning to competition.

“This is her first time back in the big ring, it makes it extra special. The fact that we are on this journey together, makes it much more rewarding.”

The pair made up time in the jump-off and Cruciotti credited the mare for her quickness. She commented. “She turns super fast, and she follows my eye. I was lucky that I could use the turns to my advantage and she was right there for me. I’m really happy with her performance today.”

Jumper Highlights

The $5,000 Ariat® NAL Low Junior/Amateur Owner Classic saw a victory for Brooke Cudmore of Omaha, NE, and Southern Rose, owned by Blair Cudmore, with a jump-off time of 45.608 seconds. Second place honors went to Ashley Shaw of Ellisville, MO, and Adico, owned by Andrew Kocher. Rounding out the top three was Abigail Grace Kelley of Lone Tree, CO, piloting Serenity Farm’s Ishana III.

The $10,000 Griffis Residential Medium/High Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic saw another win for Brooke Cudmore, this time aboard Igor, owned by Blair Cudmore. The duo completed the jump-off on 43.142 seconds. Second place went to Phoebe Lang of Petaluma, CA, and Verka Des Hazalles, owned by Zeitgeist Equestrian. Third place honors were awarded to Tali Dejong of Gloden, CO, and Amadeus, owned by Dejong.

The $4,000 Osphos NAL/WIHS Children’s Jumper Classic saw Natalie Hejda of Aurora, CO, and her own Nector take top honors with a jump-off time of 41.213 seconds, adding four faults to their score. Emily Koehn of Castle Rock, CO, and her own Quaitana, took second place with a jump-off time of 45.65 seconds with four faults. Cecily Coors of Parker, CO, and Manito Calissanne Z, owned by KC Sports LLC, finished in third place with a time of 70.165 seconds and four faults.

The $4,000 Osphos NAL/WIHS Adult Jumper Classic was championed by Jacqueline Toomey of Englewood, CO, and her own Celina rose to the top of the class with a time of 42.946 seconds in the jump-off. Molly Faunce of Littleton, CO, and her own WT Chevelle, took second place with a time of 46.015 seconds. Esther Coker of Santa Fe, NM, and her own Independence collected third place with a time of 43.372 seconds, adding four faults to their final score.

Victory in the $2,000 Holiday Inn Parker Low Children’s Jumper Classic went to Emery Volkert of Denver, CO, and All Inclusive, owned by Abigail Grace Kelley, with a jump-off time of 40.177 seconds. Second place was achieved by Ava Hernandez of Leawood, KS, and her own Stetson, with a jump-off time of 46.34 seconds. Third place was awarded to Kari Sletten of Centennial, CO, and Belle Vue, owned by Abbygale Funk, rounding out the jump-off in 57.752 seconds.

Roman Mezger of Greenwood Village, CO, and Quavel, owned by Erika Moore, won the $2,000 Holiday Inn Parker Low Adult Jumper Classic on a jump-off time of 37.912 seconds. Kristine Hardwick of Big Horn, WY, rode her own WT Charlotte to second place with a jump-off time of 41.221 seconds. Third place went to Jocelyn Marra of Denver, CO, and her own Louis Louis, with a jump-off time of 43.073 seconds.

The $2,000 Front Range Kubota Modified Child/Adult Jumper Classic was championed by Nathlie Verellen of Basalt, CO, and her mount Nash Du Centenaire, after completing the jump-off track in 39.267 seconds. Second place was achieved by Bailey Tims of Tulsa, OK, and her own Contino 44, after a jump-off round of 40.389 seconds. Third place went to Hays Lanter of Snowmass Village, CO, and Wheels Up, owned by Eighteen Acres Farm, after a jump-off time 41.926 seconds.

Hunter Highlights

The $1,000 Gumbits Pony Hunter Classic saw Gabrielle Roderick of Spring Hill, KS, and her own Hidden Springs Woodstar take top honors in the class. Roderick also placed in second aboard her own Blondie, while Jordan Gibbs of Colorado Springs, CO, and her own Party Time took third place.

The $1,000 Marshall & Sterling NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic was championed by Lindsay Ryan of Greenwood Village, CO, and her own Keystone, ahead of Kathy Baker of Colorado Springs, CO, and her own Pop Star, who finished in second place. Amy Coretz of Tulsa, OK, and Grey Goose, owned by Eighteen Acres Farm, collected third place.

Jaden Olson of Parker, CO, and Conradical, owned by Olson, took champion honors in the CWD Junior Hunter 3’3″/3’6″ 16-17 Division. Abigail Grace Kelly of Lone Tree, CO, and Cayman A.L., owned by Marie Antonette Leviste, received reserve champion honors.

The Horseware® Ireland Performance Hunter 3’3″ Division was captured by Amanda Thomas of Brentwood, MO, piloting Kapalua, owned by Hadley Graham. Reserve champion went to Sydney Goodin of Chesterfield, MO, and her own Blue Water.

Connie Fry of St. Louis, MO, and Fanci That, owned by Thomas Spiro, were champions of the Pre-Adult Amateur Hunter Division. Reserve champion was awarded to Austin Holland of Centennial, CO, riding Bayview, owned by Red Barn Ventures, LLC.

Tarah Wolf of Glenwood Springs, CO, was awarded champion and reserve champion of the Young Hunter 3’/3’3″ Division. Her winning ride was aboard her own Snowbird. Reserve champion was presented to Soulshine, also owned by Wolf.

The Modified Children’s Hunter Division champion of the week was Sofhia Mankus of Cherry Hills Village, CO, riding Benevento, owned by Hanna Mankus. Reserve champion was awarded to Gabrielle Roderick of Spring Hill, KS, and Brego, owned by Haley Livingston.

Champion of the Modified Adult Hunter Division went to Amy Cortez and Mindy Cortez of Tulsa OK, and her mount Cheers, owned by Eighteen Acres Farm. Reserve champion was awarded to Edwina Graham of Chesterfield, MO, aboard Kapalua, owned by Hadley Graham.

Gabrielle Roderick of Spring Hill, KS, captured the Gumbits Large Pony Hunter Division aboard her own Hidden Springs Woodstar, while reserve champion went to Anna Spitzer of Edwards, IL, riding Happy Feet, owned by Whitney Hydeman.

The Green Hunter 3’6″/3’9″ & High Performance Division saw another victory for Amanda Thomas of Brentwood, MO, and Connie Fry of St. Louis, MO, with Fanci That, owned by Thomas Spiro. Reserve champion went to Sarah Young of Spring Hill, KS, and White Lightning, owned by Helen Gilbert.