The first week of hunter jumper competition during the Temecula Valley National Fall Series operated by Nilforushan Equisport Events (NEE) kicked off on Wednesday, November 11, and was a hit amongst West Coast Competitors. Following strict COVID-19 guidelines for the safety of their competitors and staff, the NEE team offered five full days of competition with a wide assortment of classes for riders of all levels. Michelle Parker and Easy Does It topped off their already successful week at Galway Downs with a spectacular win in the $40,000 South Coast Winery Resort & Spa 1.45M Grand Prix.
Michelle Parker on Easy Does It. Photo by Julie Ahn.
With 33 entries set to battle it out over Manual Esparza’s 1.45m track, the competition was fierce. Besting the large starting field, however, was Parker and Cross Creek Farm, INC’s entry, Easy Does It. Snagging the runner-up position was Nicki Wilcox and Marjorie Martin’s Halifax VDM. There was a tie for the third place position between Lane Clark riding Epic Air, owned by Lighthouse Farm, LLC, and Chenoa Mc Elvain riding Wallstreet RC, owned by Guy Mc Elvain.
Competition kicked off on Wednesday, November 11, with top show jumpers battling it out in the $5,000 1.35m Welcome, but ultimately it was Misti Cassar and her own entry Viking who would emerge victorious among the field of 27 competitors. After a thrilling first round, 12 of those 27 horse and rider pairs would return to the Grand Prix ring for the jump-off where Cassar and Viking laid down a tidy round finishing with a time of 36.44 seconds. Following closely behind was Lindsey Patton-Garner riding Capstone Equestrian LLC’s Capilano HF who closed out the class in second with a jump-off time of 36.85 seconds. Rounding out the top three was Tina Yates aboard HKC Collection LLC’s Ariana who delivered a clear round in a time of 38.13 seconds.
Other celebrations in the jumper ring throughout the week included Jamie Taylor and JT Equine LLC’s Quatar rising to the top of the $10,000 1.40m Speed Classic on Thursday. Claiming second place was Lindsey Patton-Garner and Henthe Royalty, owned by David Patton, with Kaitlin Campbell and the HD Horses LLC entry Famke taking home third. In Saturday’s $10,000 1.35m Speed Challenge it was Sarah Invicta Williams aboard the Invicta Farms, INC entry Foxxy who would bring home the blue. Wrapping up the podium was Grace Belmont and Plume de Hus, owned by Ryan Hawley, in second place with Kaitlin Campbell and Famke in third.
Clea Caddell on Campari 280. Photo by Julie Ahn.
Sunday’s $1,000 U25 Classic showcased some of the West Coast’s rising talent with Clea Caddell and Campari 280, owned by Spyglass Hill, emerging victorious out of the field. Owner-rider Derek Chang secured second place honors riding Chappie, with Alexis Sokolov aboard her own entry Scarface wrapping up the weekend in third.
In the Junior/Amateur-Owner classes, the competition was just as fierce all week long, leading up to Sunday’s $1500 JR/AO/AM Low Jumper Classic set at 1.25m and the $2500 JR/AO/AM Medium Jumper Classic which was set at the 1.35m height. In the Low division, we saw Quinn Ferreira and Ixchel Mosley’s entry Crack One who would take home the lion’s share of the prize money. Following closely behind was owner-rider Sofia Gomez aboard Estelle. Finalizing the top three was Gabrielle Applegate riding Baraka, owned by Nayal Nassar. Claiming the win in the Medium division was owner-rider Alexis Sokolov and Fasole du Seigneur. Olivia Schneider and her entry Valdez ended the weekend with a red ribbon, followed by Nicholas Choi and Grand Desert taking home third.
The Temecula Valley National Fall Series will return to Galway Downs on Wednesday, November 18, for the first day of its final week, and will conclude on Sunday, November 22.
$40,000 South Coast Winery Resort & Spa 1.45m Grand Prix – Full Class Results:
Place / Horse / Rider / Country
1. Easy Does It / Michelle Parker / USA
2. Halifax VDM / Nicki Wilcox / USA
3. Epic Air / Lane Clarke / AUS
3. Wallstreet RC / Chenoa Mc Elvain / USA
5. Quatar / Jamie Taylor / USA
6. Little Indian / Misti Cassar / USA
7. Campari 280 / Clea Caddell / USA
8. Concorde / Kaitlin Campbell / USA
9. Chappie / Derek Chang / USA
10. Scarface / Alexis Sokolov / USA
11. Parkmore Lux / Hanna Mauritzson / SWE
12. Shantonagh / Jenny Calandra / USA
Photo of Misti Cassar on Viking by Captured Moments Photography.