Sterling Malnik and Charlie are Victorious in the THIS Children’s Medal 14 and Under
Equitation competition began Saturday morning at the South Ring with Sterling Malnik of Ocean Ridge, FL, riding to the win in the THIS Children’s Medal for riders 14 and Under. Malnik rode her mount, Charlie, to a score of an 84 in the jumping phase and then rose to the top in the test.
Sterling Malnik and Charlie. Photo © Sportfot
Charlie is a fairly new ride for Malnik, who has been working with the horse for three weeks. The pair, trained by Bill Schaub, have only shown in the THIS Medal twice and are already proving to be ones to watch.
Going into the test, Malnik knew that she could count on her 12-year-old gelding. “I was really nervous because I’ve never tested inside the ring before,” Malnik explained. “Thankfully I didn’t have to go first! Charlie is also very experienced and knows what he has to do, so he helped me out.”
Malnik’s ride stood out to the judges and the duo climbed up two spots into the lead. “I think that I was able to get good energy when I had to pick up the canter from a standstill and go directly to the first jump. We were then able to keep our pace and flow throughout the test,” the rider described.
The pair hopes to continue to have consistent rounds in the equitation for the remainder of the season. Malnik is looking forward to the second half of the circuit and enjoys the well-organized and fun show environment that WEF creates.
Second place went to Elodie Watrous and Quintus Rubin, owned by Joyride Eq, LLC, who scored an 85 in the jumping phase. Watrous, of Wilmette, IL, and her mount were able to maintain their second place spot after the test. Third place was awarded to Alea Lasaponara, of Campbell Hall, NY, and her horse Claas C’Obolensky, who received an 83 in the first round and rose one spot to earn third after the test.
Hollin Sutherland and Cambridge Wrap Up Week 5 with a Championship in the Children’s Hunter Older Division
Sunday morning began with Hollin Sutherland and Cambridge capturing the championship of the Children’s Hunter Older division in Ring 7. Out of 23 entries, Sutherland and her horse earned two firsts, two seconds, and an eighth place.
Hollin Sutherland and Cambridge. Photo © Sportfot
Sutherland, of Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, has been developing her partnership with Cambridge over the past year and a half. The rider is very appreciative of her caring and trustworthy partner, saying, “He is really sweet and always takes care of me. He always tries his best!”
Trained by Bill Schaub, the pair stayed consistent throughout the division and won two of the over fences classes. “We really worked together as a team and everything came together,” Sutherland explained.
Sutherland plans to continue to try her best and produce consistent rounds with Cambridge in the Children’s Hunter Older division for the remainder of the WEF season.
This year marks Sutherland’s third year riding and also her third year showing at WEF. “I love showing here because everyone is so supportive and it creates a real team atmosphere,” she said.
Not far behind in points were Claire Healy, of Cincinnati, OH, and her mount Jade. Healy piloted Jade, owned by Shaw Johnson Price, to two firsts, second, third, and a seventh-place ribbon.