We catch up with Michael Tokaruk, who recently landed his 14th career Grand Prix win during the Brownland Farm Horse Show series.
Draper Therapies rider Michael Tokaruk had a bang-up week at the Brownland Farm Fall I Horse Show in Franklin, Tennessee, earlier this month, topping the leaderboards in both the Hunter Derby and the Grand Prix. He followed that up with a successful week II sequel, finishing in the ribbons once again in the Grand Prix.
Michael Tokaruk and Major. Photo courtesy of Michael Tokaruk.
Tokaruk kicked off week I by riding Major to the win in the $5,000 Hunter Derby with a high score of 89. Tokaruk has had a great partnership with Major since taking on the talented sale horse, owned by Sleepy P Ranch, including a win in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby at Colorado Horse Park.They’ve also done well for themselves in the Performance Working Hunters, including a championship during WCHR week at Equifest in Chicago. Tokaruk is always impressed by the scope of the horse and the ease of the high options in the derbies.
Michael Tokaruk and Major were victorious in the $5,000 Brownland Hunter Derby. Photo Lili Weik.
“Thanks to everyone at Tokaruk Show Stables and of course to the owners, Sleepy P Ranch, for all of your help and support!” said Tokaruk. “He is a really special horse and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to show and sell him!”
Tokaruk continued his winning streak in the $25,000 Brownland Grand Prix on Ilan, owed by Maarten Huygens of Wellington, Florida. The pair jumped double clear to claim the top spot out of 29 entries, making this Tokaruk’s 14th career Grand Prix win. Tokaruk claimed a second place with Ilan in the 1.40m jumpers earlier in the week. Ilan is a new ride for Tokaruk, having just added the horse to his string about a month ago.
Tokaruk enlisted the help of Olympian Melanie Smith Taylor, who came to Tokaruk Show Stables to work with the Grand Prix horses before heading to Brownland.
“She is so helpful and knowledgeable,” said Tokaruk. “I’m very fortunate to have someone of her stature to help me from time to time!”
Michael and Ilan in the $25,000 Brownland Grand Prix:
“With everything going on in the world today, it really makes me appreciate how lucky I am to do what I do,” added Tokaruk. “I’m so grateful to ride such amazing horses and work with great people every day! Thank you to owner Maarten Huygens for sending this amazing horse named Ilan to show and sell! He was so good in just our second show ever with a tough course and a very competitive $25,000 class.”
Michael Tokaruk and Ilan won the $25,000 Brownland Grand Prix. Photo by Lili Weik.
Tokaruk’s multiple rides in the Grand Prix included a debut at the level for Alex Turner’s Vanrock, who finished in 8th place. Vanrock also took third in the $5,000 Welcome Stake earlier in the week with Tokaruk in the irons. Tokaruk also piloted Hit Me Van’t Zorgvliet, owed by Ilan Ferder, to an 11th place finish in the Grand Prix.
Tokaruk Show Stables found success again the following week at Brownland Farm Fall II Horse Show. The depth of Tokaruk’s string was apparent, as he rode Richie Moloney’s Eagle Eyes P.S. to 3rd place in the $7,500 1.40m Welcome Stake and Shelby Beard’s Steel The Love to 6th place in the Grand Prix.
And then there was this class…
When you get roped into doing a Charity Pairs Relay class with @tomfoleyshowjumpers and since we don’t have costumes, we…
Posted by Tokaruk Show Stables on Saturday, September 14, 2019
All in a day’s work for Tokaruk and his crew.
“It’s so beautiful here at Brownland Farm and they put on such a nice horse show,” added Tokaruk. “We love coming to Franklin — it’s a beautiful area of the country and close to home, it’s very convenient for us and the customers.”
Next stop on Tokaruk’s calendar: Tryon International Equestrian Center. Two of his favorite items from Draper Therapies that you can be sure he’ll be packing: his Draper Therapies Polo Wraps and Draper Therapies Anti-Sweat Sheet.
Best of luck. Go Jumping!
Draper Therapies is proud to produce the highest quality products featuring Celliant®, the first technology of its kind to be designated by the FDA as a medical device. Celliant is shown to increase tissue oxygenation by eight percent, which helps the body recover faster from physical activity as well as increase energy, endurance, stamina, and performance. To learn more about Draper Therapies and Celliant, visit www.drapertherapies.com.