FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aspen Farms, Yelm, WA
September 13, 2024

Today competitors from throughout the United States Eventing Association (USEA) Area VII and beyond contested dressage at Aspen Farms in Yelm, WA for the first day of Aspen Farms Horse Trials and the USEA Area VII Championships.

In the Advanced division, Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14 (pictured above), owned by Annika Asling, secured the lead on a score of 31.8. The pair won the inaugural CCI4*-Short at Aspen Farms this past June, and more recently they successfully completed the Adequan Advanced Final at the American Eventing Championships (AECs) in Lexington, Kentucky–their first time competing on the east coast.

“Kentucky was a great experience,” said O’Neal. “We got there late; we had some truck problems on the way. Clooney handled all of it in stride. He did his job. The course was tough, and he was super good. Also everyone was so nice. It was a great experience for us. Especially show jumping under lights in the big stadium; it was incredible.”

Today after their dressage test O’Neal shared, “He was listening and accurate. Our flying changes are getting better. He was really good; it felt like a nice ride.”

O’Neal is looking forward to taking on the Advanced cross-country course designed by Morgan Rowsell tomorrow. “I have the course all in my head,” she said. “The footing is perfect right now. Everything out there looks beautiful. The course walks really well. It feels like it’s going to ride how it is made to be ridden. I’m excited!”

Sabrina Glaser is second in the Advanced division on Cooley Mr. Murphy, an Irish Sporthorse gelding owned by Hildegard Johnson. Glaser has been campaigning him for over four years and has been working toward the goal of creating an Advanced partnership.

“He’s not big in stature, but he has more personality than all of my horses put together,” she said. “Today was his first Advanced test. We haven’t even done an Advanced test in schooling. He put all the pieces together. None of it was brilliant, but I didn’t ride for brilliance, I rode for a clear round. We lost probably half a mark on every movement, but he was very obedient and not spooky, which is A+ for him.”

Considering the cross-country test tomorrow, Glaser plans to take it one jump at a time for Murphy’s first attempt at the level. “The course looks good,” she said. “It has its questions, but the questions look fair to the horses. I think–and hope–they are going to read them well. The course is well planned and well placed. It walks with a nice flow. We’ll see if it rides like that. I’m excited to ride it!”

In the USEA Intermediate Championships, Marc Grandia and GHS Calexico, a 9-year-old Irish Sporthorse mare owned by the Calexico Syndicate LLC are the overnight leaders on a score of 28.6. Devin Robel and Gillou are second on 29.8. Erin Grandia and Hyacinth and Sophie Click and Quidproquo are tied for third on 30.5.

“It was the best she’s been in dressage,” said Grandia after their test. “She was relaxed, forward, and listening. I felt like things really came together today.”

Marc Grandia is also tied for first in the USEA Area VII Open Novice Championship division with Obligado VD Watermolen, owned by Melissa Jaten. He is tied with Sara Sellmer and Courious George, owned by Samantha Quinn, on scores of 27.5. Anna Stein and Our Theodore, owned by Lisa Escobar, and Holly Yoder and Irish Ellie are tied in second.

Obligado VD Watermolen, a Dutch Warmblood, is 5-years-old and moved up to Novice level earlier this season, qualifying for the Area VII Championships at Aspen Farms in June. “He’s been very good,” said Grandia. “Today he was a little lackluster and felt a little tired, but he did his job and was very well-behaved. He’s a very nice young horse.”

In the Open Intermediate, Alyssa Schaefer from California and her gelding Fuego are in first after dressage. Sara Zulyniak and Ulterra Alaris, owned by Nicolas Helayel, are in second. Audrey Morrissey and Lord Limon are in third.

“He’s truly miraculous,” Schaefer shared after her ride with Fuego. “He’s come back from three injuries; he’s had to re-qualify for Intermediate three times. He’s a true warrior. Every time he comes back, somehow he gets better. If you do rehab correctly, then any horse can make a comeback, and they can comeback stronger if you give them the time and have the dedication. I had to learn patience.”

Schaefer is looking forward to the cross-country phase tomorrow, and thinks Fuego is too. “We are here at Aspen for some redemption,” she said. “The first time we were at Aspen we were technically eliminated for missing a fence–it was a long drive home! The last time we were here, he was winning, but we had an absurd miscommunication four fences from home. So we’re here to finish this time! I love coming to this property. Every time you come here, there’s a new course. It’s very clear to see how much time, effort, and energy the organizers put into creating a unique show every time.”

Brooke Phillips and JL’s Dartagnan; overnight leaders in USEA Area VII Preliminary Championships. Photo by Ashley Kemp Photography.

In the USEA Area VII Open Preliminary Championship, Brooke Phillips and JL’s Dartagnan are in the overnight lead on 28.6. Chloe Kischuk and Dassett Endeavour and Emily Pestl-Dimmitt and Aventinus, owned by Louise LaRue are in third.

In Open Preliminary B, Rebecca Buehler and Patriot are in the overnight lead on a score of 28.6. In Open Preliminary A, Jordan Linstedt is in first and second with LS Crown Royal and LS Cowboy Casanova, owned by Lovas Partners LLC.

Karen O’Neal is also topping the leaderboard in USEA Area VII Open Training Championship division with MNF North Forks Summit, a Welsh/Hanoverian gelding owned by Angela Wilson.

“He just turned six, and he just moved up to Training level this year, and he qualified for Championships,” said O’Neal. “His dressage was really good today. He felt rideable. Debbie Dewitt has been helping me with dressage. We had a good ride.”

Karen’s daughter Patience O’Neal aboard Barney Come Home, owned by Wendy Wadhwani are second in the division. Erin Grandia and Riptide Rio, owned by Adriane Jimenez, and Ashley Loucks and Ghostfinder are tied for third.

In the USEA Area VII Training Amateur division, Sylvia Rouse and FE Chardonnay are the overnight leaders on a score of 28.8. Hayden Brown and Cooley Merrywell Mint are second, and Reese Blinks and Lowmax / Reese Blinks 29.8

Dakota McGill and NSC Mettaphor lead the USEA Area VII Junior Training division on 32.6. Alexis Johnson and Encore are second, and Courtney Brandt and One True King are third.

DAY 1 SCORES:

All the scores from Day 1 are available on Show Connect, here.

Aspen Farms and USEA Area VII are thrilled to be able to offer extensive prizes to top finishers at the show thanks to generous show sponsors and donations.

Tin Men Supply has been a long-time supporter of the Advanced division at Aspen Farms–the only Advanced level competition offered in Washington State.

“We always look forward to sponsoring the Aspen Farms Horse Trials,” said Janelle Rich, owner of Tin Men Supply. “The Elliotts put on a world-class event, and we are so fortunate to have such a gem in the Northwest. We see competitors’ faces all year in our shops as they outfit their farms with our metal and supplies, it’s only right to return the support. Jon’s philosophy of awarding more than just a ribbon is exciting! Who doesn’t love a cash prize?”

Follow along with more show coverage on Aspen Farm’s Facebook Page and on Instagram @AspenFarmsHorseTrials.

* Photos courtesy of Ashley Kemp Photography. Video Reels created by STF Video Productions.