Wellington, FL - Feb. 18, 2016 – Messenger Hill Farm continued their streak of stellar performances at The Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) Week V.
Freddie Vazquez and Esprit De Vie grabbed eighth place prize out of a huge field of 148 in a 1.40m speed class. In the hunter ring, Jodi Vazquez and Elizabeth Corey’s Hula Hoop were first in the handy class of the Green Conformation Hunter division, were second over fences, third in the under saddle and had ribbons in every class.
Chloe Jhin continued her incredible performances during Week V. With her own Follow The Laughter, Jhin won the hack and were third and fourth over fences in the Large Children’s Hunter Pony division and had respectable ribbons with Jamie Stryer’s Modigliani in the Low Children’s Hunters.
Chloe Watrous and her Just Darlin finished in the top four in the WIHS Pony Hunter Equitation and with her Page 6 were also in the top four in the Small Pony Hunters. She rode Bill Schaub’s Sugarbrook Game Plan to top ribbons in the Short Stirrup Hunters and earned a second and a fifth out of 31 in the Small/Medium Children’s Hunter Pony division.
Elodie Watrous and Shimmer, owned by Lane’s End Farm also had top ribbon-winning performances in Short Stirrup Hunter and a second place in the Short Stirrup Equitation on the flat and with Sugarbrook Game Plan the pair had a top placing int he Short Stirrup Hunter under saddle.
Giavanni Rinaldi and Libertina. Photo: Sport Fot
Jhin excelled again in the jumper ring with her own Liberty, earning the lap of honor, going double clear with the fastest jump-off round out of 44 in the Low Child/Adult Training Jumpers. With Sweet Oak Farm’s Serendipity, Jhin earned a third place prize in the same division.
“I am so proud of these three young riders,” said Freddie Vazquez. “They have such a bright future ahead of them. The Jhins and the Watrouses are a pleasure to work with. They are super supportive of their daughters. They just want to do it right.”
According to the Vazquezes, Jhin and the Watrous sisters have immersed themselves in the sport. They put in the work and the time, riding five days a week and take as many lessons as they can.
Giavanni Rinaldi catch rode Libertina, owned by Gabriella Hurtado, and had a major win in the Maria Mendelsohn Low Junior Jumpers out of 73 horse and rider combinations. Rinaldi and Libertina, a lovely, bay, warmblood mare, went early in the order but no one could catch their super fast jump-off round. With 24 progressing to the short course, that was no small feat and earned the pair the reserve championship of the division.
“Gia’s trainers, Maggie and Haylie (Jayne) sent her in the ring,” said Freddie Vazquez. “She went early in the order and I suggested that she should try to put a little pressure on everyone behind her. Gia rides well, she has excellent feel and excellent position. She was very fast and everyone else had to chase her down and no one was able to catch her.”
“The name Messenger Hill Farm, is about passing the message along to the students about American style riding, the message that George Morris and the greats in our sport teach,” he said. “That’s what we strive for every day.”
About Messenger Hill Farm
Located in Mettawa, Illinois, just north of Chicago, Messenger Hill Farm is a full-service hunter/jumper facility owned by head trainers Freddie and Jodi Vazquez. Offering training, lessons, showing and sales, every detail of the facility and the care of the horses is well-thought-out. The farm features all-weather turnout, heated barn and attached indoor arena, 200’x 285′ outdoor arena, five-acre grass jump field, excellent footing, treadmill, tack room with lockers and a lounge.
For experienced riders, Messenger Hill Farm offers a show schedule at all levels – local, national and international. The Messenger Hill Farm team competes at the Winter Equestrian Festival, the Kentucky Spring and Summer Horse Shows, Colorado Horse Park, Tryon, the Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show, Lamplight, Ledges and more. For those just getting started in the sport, Messenger Hill Farm offers a lesson program with quality, well-cared-for horses to help riders achieve their goals.
Click here to learn more about Messenger Hill Farm or call 847-573-1100.