Wow! The ground hog wasn’t kidding when he said there would be six more weeks of winter! This is the first time that Alejandro or I can remember that we shut down for cold!
Despite the cold and snow MPH spent four (sort of) weeks in Katy, Texas participating in the Winter Series Horse Shows held at Great Southwest Equestrian Center. We started the series with a bang!
Here are some of the highlights.
Week 1
Our 20 somethings were on fire! Courtney Baggett and Highmark aka Koko were Champion in the Younger Adult Hunters and won the Adult Hunter Classic! Emma Roberts and Pinto Bean aka Spot were Champion in the Low Junior/Amateur Jumpers and won their Classic!
The opportunity riders were also on fire this weekend. Julia Sands and Buenos were Champion in both the x-rails and 18 inches on Saturday. On Sunday, they were Champion in the 18 inches and Reserve Champion behind Annabel Grefe and Noel, who were Champion in the x-rails . Annabel and Noel were also Reserve Champion both days in the 18 inches!
Liston Johnson showed what she learned in Wellington, Florida. She was Reserve Champion in the Modified Children’s Hunters on Jumping Jack aka JJ. She also won her first class with her new horse Grafton. They won the last Modified Children’s Hunter over Fences. Look for more blue ribbons from this pair! Caroline Molther and Grafton also picked up a couple of blue ribbons during the week in the Hopeful Hunters.
Week 2
Julia Sands and Buenos continued their winning ways in the Opportunity Ring. Julia and Buenos were Champion Saturday and Sunday in the x-rails and Reserve Champion in the 18 inches on Saturday and Sunday.
Liston Johnson and Jumping Jack aka JJ only got to show on Saturday. That didn’t stop them from being Reserve Champion for the second week in a row in the Modified Children’s Hunters. How did they do it? By winning both over fences classes on Saturday!
Liston Johnson’s Grafton and Caroline Molther won the warm up and second Hopeful Hunter class on Thursday.
Taylor Odum’s Hadron was double Reserve Champion. Lily O’Gorman was Reserve in the Limit Hunters. Caroline rode Hadron to Reserve Champion in the Hopeful Hunters.
Our 20 somethings couldn’t quite keep up with their previous week but both Courtney Baggett and Highmark aka Koko and Emma Roberts and Pinto Bean aka Spot were second in their very competitive classics. Courtney and Koko also won their under saddle for the second week in a row.
Elisabeth Marek and Chambertino 2 aka Tino were Overall winner in the WIHS along with winning the 3’-3” Jumper Seat Medal.
Week 3
The Champions this week were Alejandro and his team. Despite having their own families and houses to worry about they made sure our equine friends were well cared for during this Arctic Blast. They are best group of guys!
Week 4
The Opportunity Girls continued to rake in the awards in the final week of the series! Julia Sand and Buenos were Champion in the 18 inches both Saturday and Sunday as well as being Reserve Champion in the x-rails both days. Elle Wuertz and Blueprint aka Harley were Champion in the x-rails on Sunday along with being Reserve Champion in the 18 inches on Sunday. Jane Wexler in her first horse show off the lead line and also her first horse show on her new pony, Harry Potter aka Potter was Champion in the Sunday Walk/Trot Division.
Alison Kratish and Roxton aka Rocky were Champion in the Modified Adult Hunters.
Lina Monty and Small World aka Petunia were Reserve Champion in the Limit Division. This was the pairs first time doing Limit!
Caroline Molther rode Courtney Baggett’s Highmark aka Koko to Champion in the Low Hunter Division. Caroline also rode Victoria Johnson’s Brazos to the Reserve Championship in the Hopeful Hunters. On Thursday, Caroline and Lina Monty’s Small World won the2’-6” warm up.
Allie Killgore and Tallulah aka Lulu put it all together to win the last Older Children’s Hunter over Fences.
Elisabeth Marek and Chambertino 2 aka Tino won the Maclay.
Fun Facts
- Over the course of the series, MPH won blue ribbons in the Hunter, Jumper and Equitation Divisions.
- We had two Circuit Champions.
Modified Children’s Hunters, Jumping Jack aka JJ and Liston Johnson
Opportunity , Buenos and Julia Sand
- Not sure this is the correct count, but we had at least 13 Champions, 12 Reserve Champions and 2 Classic Wins!
- On Sunday of week 4 we were Champion in all 3 Opportunity Divisions.
- Also on Sunday of Week 4 Jane Wexler and Harry Potter had a clean sweep. They won all their classes.
We will be showing at Pin Oak at the end of March. If you are planning on going and have not yet told us, let us know asap. Those stalls fill up fast!
We need to start organizing for the summer horse shows. At this time, we are thinking Kentucky in June and Michigan in July. Please let us know if you have any interest in horse showing this summer.
Speaking of summer plans, we are planning to do Pony Camp June 1-4 and June 22-25. We may add on more weeks as the summer progresses.
Finally, please let us know your spring break plans so we can better take care of your horse or pony.
The chiropractor will be here March 30-April 1. This should not affect lessons.
A big welcome to Amelie Schaeffer! Look for her riding Lillie.
Happy Spring!
