Nilforushan Equisport Events (NEE) wrapped up their second week of equestrian competition during their Temecula Valley National Fall Series on Sunday, November 22 with a bang! With over 600 horse and rider pairs in attendance, the Fall Series was a hit amongst West Coast competitors featuring many of the perks that NEE is known for, all while complying with COVID-19 procedures for the safety of everyone on the show grounds. Closing out the series with a win in the $40,000 CWD Sellier Grand Prix on Saturday was Kaitlin and Ilan.
Kaitlin Campbell on Ilan. Photo by Captured Moment Photography.
There were 43 riders hoping to snag the spoils in Saturday’s Grand Prix, but Campbell and the SWS Training Stables’ entry Ilan mastered Anderson Lima’s 1.45m track and blazed their way to the blue ribbon with the fastest jump-off round of the afternoon. Following shortly behind in second place was Bjorn Ikast claiming both second and third aboard Classini, owned by BBB Show Jumpers LLC, and his own entry, Castino, respectively.
Earlier in the week, top show jumpers lined up to fight to the finish in the Equ Lifestyle Boutique $5,000 1.35m Welcome. Just eight of the 19 starters delivered clear first rounds thus moving forward to the jump-off. The competition was fierce and it all came down to a matter of seconds as Kaitlin Campbell and the Sweet Oak Farm’s entry Kecho de Sud laid down a winning round on a time of 38.48 seconds. Following closely behind was Hallie Buttenwieser riding Altaire Ventures’ Ezmerelda EH Z with a jump-off time of 39.23 seconds. Rounding out the top there was owner-rider Misti Cassar aboard Viking.
Previous photo: Kaitlin Campbell on Ilan in their presentation ceremony. This photo: Kaitlin Campbell on Kecho de Sud. Photos by Captured Moment Photography.
In Thursday’s Tack of the Town $10,000 1.40m Welcome Speed Classic it was Jamie Taylor who claimed the winner’s spoils riding JT Equine LLC’s entry Quatar. Owner-rider Michelle Parker navigated Chipotle to a second-place finish with Alexis Sokolov piloting her entry Scarface to the third-place position on the podium.
A fun addition to Friday’s schedule was the $1500 Edgar Pagan Show Jumpers 1.10m Gambler’s Choice in honor of Linda Bentley where riders dashed their way around the course of their choice in an attempt to add up the most points possible during the time-allowed. Emerging victorious was owner-rider Susan Latiff with Le Grand Star, while Jaden Cheikha and the Dark Horse Farms entry Gavanta secured second. Wrapping up the final spot on the podium was Lilah Nakatani and Amiracle, owned by Ali Nilforushan.
Also on Friday were the $1000 EquiFit JR/AM/AO Speed Special classes which included a low, medium, and high section as well as a $2,000 bonus to the top three overall generously sponsored by Jett Martin Equine Spa. Each section was pinned separately with the top three handicapped scores being awarded the overall placings and prize money. In the overall placings Serena Anand and her own E La Carla H from the Low Section brought home the top prize, Rachel M Torok, who contested the Medium Section, snagged second aboard her entry Clavius, and Allison Raich and Foundation Farm LLC’s Sting Van de Withoeve, who competed in the Low Section, rounding out the top three.
Saturday’s schedule was brimming with excitement in the show jumping rings. Following their top three placing on Friday, Raich and Sting Van de Withoeve claimed the top prize on Saturday In the Kenilworth Stables’ $5,000 1.20m Gambler’s Choice. Lane Clarke and Horsemanship Unlimited’s entry The Anzac secured second, while Lauren Boswell partnered with Jurania Van’t Lozerhof, owned by Equine Experience LLC, claimed third.
No stranger to the winner’s circle, Michelle Parker stole the show in the Equifit $10,000 1.35 Speed Challenge with Cross Creek Farm, Inc’s entry CCF Hibiscus Coast. Rounding out the top three were owner-rider Mary Frances Looke and Conthendrix, while Tina Yates and Ariana, owned by HKC Collection LLC, brought home third.
Sunday’s schedule featured the talented junior and amateur competitors from the West Coast. In the Adapta Fuel $1,500 Jr/AO/AM Low Jumper Classic it was Amanda Gomez aboard Ali Nilforushan’s Dolliebanta who rose to the top of the field, while Megan Padilla with Tiffany Martin’s Clio 35 claimed the blue ribbon in the Ogilvy $2,500 Jr/AO/AM Medium Jumper Classic. Owner-rider Serena Anand emerged victorious in the CC Fits $5,000 Jr/AO/AM High Jumper Classic aboard Brandee.
Lastly, in the $2,500 Children’s/Adult 1.15m Mini Prix it was Riley Thomas aboard Jack Be Nimble who brought home bragging rights. Brylee Dickey and Gogolinus were awarded second place and Jacquie Cheikha riding Noteworthy Horses’ Chicago closed out the day in third.
Class Results – $40,000 CWD Sellier 1.45m Grand Prix:
Place / Horse / Rider / Country
1. Ilan / Kaitlin Campbell / USA
2. Classini / Bjorn Ikast / DEN
3. Castino / Bjorn Ikast / DEN
4. Edesa’s Kzoom / Eddy Sepul / BEL
5. Dandy / Emily Esau Williams / USA
6. Kecho Du Sud / Kaitlin Campbell / USA
7. California Sunshine / Susan Artes / USA
8. Wonder Kid / Hillary Ridland / USA
9. Easy Does It / Michelle Parker / USA
10. Capilano HF / Lindsay Paton-Garner / USA
11. Shantonagh / Jenny Calandra / USA
12. Livestream 2 / Lisa Carlsen / USA