FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2024, Aspen Farms, Yelm, WA

This year Aspen Farms Horse Trials in Yelm, Washington has achieved a new milestone–offering the first CCI4*-Short FEI division in the State of Washington.

Five pairs representing United States Eventing Association Area VII are entered to compete at this inaugural CCI4*-Short at Aspen Farms, introduced below alphabetically.

Sophie Click and Quidproquo

Sophie Click and Quidproquo. Photo by USEA.

Sophie Click is based in Western Washington and is no stranger to competing in the upper level divisions at Aspen Farms. Quidproquo, known around the barn as “Rocky,” is a Holsteiner (Quidado x Waleila) gelding owned by Sophie and her mother, Amy Click.

Click and Rocky completed their first show of the season a few weeks ago at Spokane Sport Horse Spring Horse Trials in the Advanced/Intermediate division, finishing third. They have successfully completed CCI4*-Shorts in the past years on both the West and East Coasts; and they finished fifth in the CCI4*-L at The Eventing Championships at Galway Downs in November 2023.

Sophie Click and Tarantino 54

Sophie Click and Tarantino 54. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Tarantino 54, known around the barn as “Quinn,” is an 11-year-old Selle Francais/Oldenburg (Quattro x Los Argentina) gelding owned by Sophie and Amy Click.

“Quinn and I went to California this spring to kick the season off,” said Click. “Most recently, he won the Advanced/Intermediate at Spokane Sport Horse a few weeks ago,” said Click.

“I am really looking forward to this event and competing in the inaugural 4* at Aspen Farms. I feel so lucky to have a 4* this close to home, and I appreciate all the Elliott’s and supporters have done to make this division happen.”

Marc Grandia and Campari FFF

Marc Grandia and Campari FFF at Rebecca Farms. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Marc Grandia of Duvall, Washington is riding his seasoned partner, Campari FFF, a 14-year-old Holsteiner (Camiros x Tanner) gelding locally bred by Karen Reid at Fox Fire Farm and owned by Team Rebecca.

“Team Rebecca purchased Campari as a 5-year-old for me to ride, and we have been partners for the last 9 years,” said Grandia. “He’s a good friend. We are similar personalities, and I think that’s why we get along so well. The Broussard family has been so supportive of me, and I feel very lucky to ride for them.”

“We’ve had a bit of a light spring and this will be our first FEI of the year,” said Grandia. “I am so grateful to Aspen Farms for stepping up to provide this opportunity for West Coast Eventing. We are incredibly lucky to have the support of the Elliott family in our area, and it’s a huge benefit to have access to this level of competition in our home state.”

Jen Moody and Eye of the Storm

Jen Moody and Eye of the Storm. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Traveling the farthest from Kalispell, Montana are Jen Moody and Eye of the Storm, a 15-year-old Thoroughbred (Olympio x Message of Honey) gelding–the only Thoroughbred entered in the division.

“‘Oly’ as he is known in the barn is owned by Sarah Broussard of Kalispell, Montana,” shared Moody. “This year we have completed 4*-Shorts at Galway Downs and Defender Kentucky, and we finished 7th at Tryon International in the CCI3*-Long.”

Karen O’Neal and Cooley 14

Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14 at Aspen Farms. Photo by Cortney Drake Photography.

Karen O’Neal hails from Western Washington and has produced Clooney 14, a 10-year-old Westphalian (Captain Jack x Zauberfee) gelding owned by Annika Asling, to the Advanced level.

The pair successfully navigated their first Advanced track at Aspen Farms Horse Trials in September 2023. Since then, they have completed three CCI4*-S divisions in California: Woodside Fall International, Galway Downs International, and the Twin Rivers Spring International. Most recently, they placed second in the Advanced/Intermediate at Spokane Sport Horse Spring Horse Trials.

Aspen Farms welcomes spectators to attend this inaugural CCI4*-S and thanks the many supporters who helped make this possible. The CCI4*-S division begins with dressage on Friday, June 14 at 2:40 p.m., preceded by the CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S divisions. The CCI4*-S division will show jump in the sand ring on Saturday evening and tackle the Advanced cross-country course designed by Morgan Rowsell on Sunday. The show schedule is available online, here and live scores will be posted on Startbox Scoring, here.