Grady Lyman, Virginia Fout & Jesse Schurtleff among stars at Portuguese Bend National Horse Show. It blends top regional competition with genuine community appeal and involvement, including an army of cheerful volunteers all clad in blue and white checked shirts.
The Pacific Coast Horse Show Association’s 14 & Under and Adult Medal Finals were highlights of this show, along with the $15,000 Seahorse Jumper Classic. We caught the last two rounds of the 14 & Under Horsemanship Medal Finals on Sunday and were impressed with all the entrants. Grady Lyman took top honors in this one, after super smooth second and third rounds. The field started with 32 who had qualified for the finals throughout the year, and was narrowed down to 13 (due to a tie, it’s normally 12) for the third round showdown. Judges Steve Wall and Scott Williamson added a trot fence, counter canter, hand gallop, halt and a sitting trot exit to the jumping efforts, but those challenges did not shake up the standings as Grady led all three rounds for a decisive win. The San Diego-based rider is a student of Michelle Stubbs, with an assist by Karen Healey, and is a regular in the equitation and jumper winners circles.
Putting in terrific efforts behind Grady were Kaitlyn Lovingfoss, Finley Burger and Elli Yeager in the top five slots. A student of Kasey Ament’s, Finley also finished as the show’s Best Child Rider honors. In the two-round PCHA Adult Medal Finals held on Saturday, Virginia Fout took top honors, along with the Best Adult Rider title for the competition. In the PCHA Finals, Virginia, a student of Archie Cox’ Brookway Stables, was followed by Kathy Nolan, Margrethe Munkdale, Kathy Austin and Karen Landau. After the 14 & Under Finals on Sunday, the jumps were raised for the $15,000 Seahorse Jumper Classic while the crowd enjoyed the Haybale Boutique, the Children’s Circle of fun activities and plenty of good food. Jesse Shurtleff and Biscocho emerged victorious from this crowd-pleasing class, at first at the 1.35m height for this Nick Karazissis, Jr., coached young rider. Jessie was followed in the top five by Danielle Lean and Quantum Leap, Shota Soejimi and Sig Careful, Kristin Hardin and Firestone, Cuba Scott and Ailee.
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Written by Kim F. Miller
Wednesday, 30 September 2015 21:01
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