USEA Area VII Championships Day 1; Marc Grandia Leads Advanced at Aspen Farms

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2022
Aspen Farms, Yelm, WA

Over 300 horse and rider combinations entered Aspen Farms Horse Trials and USEA Area VII Championships September 16-18 in Yelm, WA.

After a first day of dressage, Marc Grandia and Campari FFF (pictured above), owned by Team Rebecca LLC, claimed the early lead in the Advanced division on 28.6. They are fresh off a seventh place finish in the Adequan Advanced at the American Eventing Championships at Rebecca Farms this past August.

Kayleen Crowley and her homebred Warmblood gelding, Whiskey Up, are in second in the Advanced on 36.1. Whiskey Up is relatively new to this level, and the pair have been working toward achieving 4-star qualifications.

“I’m super happy with him overall,” said Crowley after her dressage test. “He has a tendency to grab the bit and take over as soon as we go down centerline. For him to go down centerline holding my hand the entire time–I’m stoked with him today!”

In the Open Intermediate, Shayla Northey and her Thoroughbred gelding True Cosmopolitan took the overnight lead on 35 points, just .2 points ahead of Alexis Helffrich and M Creme De La Creme, owned by Rose Sullivan. Josh Barnacle and Bittersweet are third on 36.6.

Karen O’Neal left her mark on the overnight leaderboard, first on Clooney 14, owned by Anika Asling. They scored 27.5 in the Area VII Open Intermediate Championships ahead of Tommy Greengard and Joshuay MBF in second on 30.7 and Cristina Rennie and Flight of the Arabesque in third on 31.8.

“Clooney was the best he’s ever been,” said O’Neal of his dressage performance. “I’ve been having some dressage lessons the past couple of days. He was the most relaxed and rideable he has ever been. It was a fun ride!”

O’Neal is also first in Open Preliminary A horse trials division on Cooley Sligo after scoring 25.2, a few points ahead of Stephanie Goodman and Drs Resolute, owned by Get Lucky LLC, in second on 28.6.

“I have competed Sligo twice before, at Caber Farms and Rebecca Farms,” said O’Neal, who has been riding him for his owner, Carol-Lynn Denhoed. “Sligo is fun; very compliant. He likes his job and listens very well. He has been very fun to ride cross-country, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

In Open Preliminary B, Kayde Undraitis and Giorgio Armani VK took the lead followed by Audrey Morrissey and Lord Limon in second and Jessica Spoletini and Candy Jane in third.

In Area VII Open Preliminary Championships, Jordan Linstedt and the Hanoverian mare Lovely Lola, owned by Lovas Partners LLC, have positioned themselves to repeat their win in this division from 2021. They delivered a flowing test to take the overnight lead on a dressage score of 24.3.

“Lola was wonderful; super obedient,” said Linstedt. “It was one of the smoothest tests I’ve had on her. She’s always great in the ring–a super performer–but today she gave me even a little bit more. She felt like she was really with me the entire time.”

Linstedt is followed closely by Amy Haugen and Ebenholtz on 24.5 in second and Kelsey Horn and Cleared For Take Off on 25.7 in third.

In Jr. Training Championships, Lizzie Hoff claimed the top two spots after dressage. She is first with her mare HSH Explosion on 22.6.

“She was really good,” said Hoff. “My trainer has been riding her for a little while. This is the first show I’m doing back on her, so this test was a good start!”

Hoff is second in the division with HSH Limited Edition, owned by Caroline Martin, on 26.9.

“He’s younger and lot greener, but he just won at the AECs,” said Hoff. “He’s great. He has been so good every show. He just gets better.”

Hoff walked the Championship cross-country course designed by Morgan Rowsell in preparation for tomorrow. “The course looks pretty challenging for a Training,” she said. “It’s definitely a Championship course. I’m excited about it. My second place horse will be moving up to Preliminary after this, so I’m excited to have a go at this course.”

Harper Padgett and Cooley Starship are third in the division on 29.8.

In the Area VII Training Rider Championship, Katie Bystrom and Rigby and Amy Click and Rubia are tied for first on 24.8.

“We’ve been working with a dressage judge,” Click said after Rubia’s dressage performance. “Our dressage is getting better. She’s lovely. Our transitions were very good today. I feel lucky to ride her, no matter what happens.”

OVERNIGHT LEADERS

See the complete scores on Startbox Scoring, here.

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Above photos provided by Show Photographer Cortney Drake Photography.