Traverse City, MI – June 20, 2025—When world no. 1 Kent Farrington tells you he’s found you the perfect horse, you listen. That’s how Charlise Casas—a former student and now professional rider for KPF—partnered with 10-year-old Grand Slam-sired gelding, Keminko N. After coming together a month ago, they made quick work of scoring their first international victory in the $32,000 CSI3* Welcome Stake on Friday during the Traverse City Spring Series, presented by Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, at Flintfields Horse Park.
“He called me one day and said he had the horse for me,” said Casas who has shown minimally at the international level throughout the last year. “I was looking for a horse to bring me back into the FEI sport. I didn’t even try him—just bought him.”
Farrington spotted the mount while watching it compete with success in Florida under the direction of U.S. team gold medalist Will Simpson. The horse’s last outing before coming under the ownership of Casas’ Always Faithful Equine was a three-star grand prix win in Ocala.
“This was my third jump-off with him,” said Casas, 24. “It was the first time I felt like I could go for it; he’s such a competitive horse and naturally fast. He wants it almost as much as I do, if not more, and he was right there with me every step of the way.”
Friday’s win came over a testing track designed by Anderson Lima (BRA) that only produced five clear rounds. Keminko N’s foot speed edged out Spain’s Francisco Goyoaga Mollet riding Stakato Cornet for owner Ashland Farms by less than three-tenths of a second. Casas broke the timers in 35.43 seconds to Goyoaga’s 35.70 seconds. Jonathan Corrigan (IRL) rounded out the top three riding Darius de Kerglenn, owned by Twin Oaks Ventures, in 37.02 seconds.
Of their hair-splitting jump-off, Casas said, “He turns fast and is really careful at the jump. I can dare him, let go at the base and put my leg on so I’m already continuing on the backside. Even if I put him in a spot that isn’t perfect, he’ll go the extra yard.”
Casas, who like Farrington hails from Chicago, has been working within the KPF program for 12 years and couldn’t help but share the influence he has had on her riding—and her life.
“He’s my mentor in and out of the sport,” she said. “He’s been really hard on me, but in the best ways; he pushes me to be my best and he expects nothing but greatness from me. I try to always rise to the occasion.”
The Traverse City Spring Series, presented by Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, continues through June 29 and features three weeks of FEI jumper competition, weekly hunter derbies, including the International Hunter Derby Regional Championships, in addition to the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championships and the Markel/USHJA Platinum & Zone Jumper Team Championships.
International competition at Flintfields Horse Park comes to a peak on Sunday in the $117,000 Molon Excavation CSI3* Grand Prix. To see complete results from the $32,000 CSi3* Welcome Stake, click here.
West Coast Reigns Over Friday Derby Action
California was well-represented in the Highstreet Arena at Flintfields Horse Park on Friday. Joie Gatlin of San Juan Capistrano, CA, topped the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Uphill Farm, before Augusta Iwasaki of Calabasas, CA, won the $10,000 USHJA National Jr/Am Hunter Derby. Hunter derby action continues weekly throughout Traverse City Horse Shows, which runs for the 13 weeks of the Traverse City Horse Shows..
Coupling an 89 and 90.5 to sit on top after a classic and handy round, Gatlin was thrilled with her small but mighty mount, Chosen, owned by Cherokee Show Horses.
“He’s gotten better every week—we’ve been here for three weeks and today for sure was the pinnacle of our trip,” said Gatlin. “It was for sure his very best round; he gave me 110% out there. He’s a real brave, steady fella.
“I’m so fortunate to have such a lovely horse to ride,” continued Gatlin of the 8-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Cohinoor VDL. “I’m grateful that he came here with me to get some experience and it means a lot to have a great support team behind me. It’s fun to develop a nice horse like this.”
Gatlin is wrapping up her time in Traverse City after deciding to bring a few extra horses east for a change of scenery this spring. ”It’s a fabulous horse show and we’ve had a wonderful time.”
In addition to winner’s honors, Chosen was named the Platinum Performance Hunter Horse of the Week.
For complete results of the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Uphill Farm click here.
Riding Small Love, a horse she also competes in the amateur-owner hunter ranks, Iwasaki, 21, claimed the $10,000 USHJA National Jr/Am Hunter Derby with a high score of 92 in both rounds.
“She’s probably one of the most careful hunters I’ve ever ridden,” said Iwasaki of her 12-year-old Hanoverian mare sired by Chacco Blue. “Especially at this height, she still jumps in perfect style. She really wants to win.”
Iwasaki has been partnered with Small Love for three and a half years and admits that it was the mare’s personality that won her over when she first tried her in Wellington. “I love mares and she’s probably one of the sweetest mares I’ve ever met. She’s a fun personality to have in the barn.”
After another week of qualifying, Iwasaki extended her lead in a race for the $5,000 Leading Amateur Hunter Bonus, and Anna Tyler of Raleigh, NC, remained atop the $5,000 Leading Junior Hunter Bonus standings. Both bonus awards are sponsored by Makoto Farm, Hunter’s Edge, and the Zoology Foundation. The winners will be determined during Week IV of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented by B&D Builders.
For complete results of the $10,000 USHJA Jr/Am National Hunter Derby, click here.
Gold Medals Shine in 1.10m-1.15m and 1.20m-1.25m Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Championships
The Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Championships continued on Friday during week three of the Traverse City Spring Series, presented by Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, with the final rounds of team competition taking place across the 1.10m-1.15m and 1.20m-1.25m divisions.
Part of the USHJA Emerging Jumper Program, the Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships are open to professionals, juniors and amateurs alike. The format includes both team and individual competition and an opportunity to qualify for continued education with top national and international industry experts. Held regionally throughout the country, the championships once again call Flintfields Horse Park home this year.
Team action kicked off in the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring with the 1.20m-1.25m Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championship, where Zone 5’s Team Authentic took gold after facing off with fellow Zone members, Team Sympatico, in the tie-breaking jump-off.
Both teams sat on a score of eight after two rounds of competition, resulting in a gold-determining jump-off. Team Authentic selected amateur Karrington Hall, of Grand Rapids, OH, and Sonsoles LS, owned by San Francisco Stables LLC, as the tie breaking pair.
“I was honored and nervous to be picked to jump-off for gold,” said Hall. “I knew my team was counting on me, but I also knew how much I could count on my mare. I was lucky to have her as my jump-off force.”
Team Authentic secured their win after Team Sympatico’s jump-off pick, Sienna Halama, of Long Grove, IL, and her own Karolitha, earned a score of four on the short course. Hall saw gold when she crossed the finish line on zero faults.
Team Authentico’s success came with an extra special touch, as chef d’équipe Lindsay Yinger’s daughter, Lilly Yinger, of Crofton, OH, was part of the winning efforts.
“She’s incredible at working in this team environment,” said Lilly of her mother. “She manages every Zone 5 team that’s here this week and is a natural leader. Doing these team classes is a special opportunity for us as juniors and amateurs, and she makes sure we’re all on the same page and take initiative.”
The winning team featured Hall along with Yinger and Geronimo; Layne Brogden, of Lexington, KY, and Castlelawn King Claudius; and Allie Rae Hayes, Fort Gratiot, MI, and Poker Face Van’t Hagenhof.
Silver went to Zone 5’s Team Sympatico featuring Sienna Halama along with Sonia Talwar and Fortunate Son; Julia Rice and Ogue Ardkyle; and Jean McLaren with Pearl of Grey VHL. Bronze went to Zone 6 & 2’s Team Sapphire featuring Winter Tietjen and Pirlo; Addison Parins and Lucky Jet 22; Andrea Klinefelter and Jumper; and Anleigh Ahlert with Mademoiselle-A.
Team championship action continued with the 1.10-1.15m Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Championship, where Junior and Amateur teams separately attempted to secure gold.
The junior team title went to Team Calypso, composed of riders from Zones 4 and 6. Chef d’équipe Bethany Parins led the team to a fault-free week, securing gold after a clean sweep over both days of competition.
Standing on the top of the podium were Orly Antevy, of Southwest Ranches, FL, and Higgins; Brooklyn Webb, Norwalk, IA, and H.S. Corporate Identity; Ivy Lampert, Lake Elmo, MN, and Ilian Solier; and Keira Lancelle Bates, of Waukesha, WI, with Elegant du Coteau.
Junior rider, Ivy Lampert, has a special connection with these championships, following in the legacy of her grandmother, Beth Miner, who was a major force in founding USHJA. “Being able to compete in these classes means more than anything,” said Lampert. “I feel like I’m helping represent USHJA, and it’s such an honor to be a part of this industry.”
The silver medal went to Team Jet Run of Zone 5, featuring Samuelle Leerkamp and Malacrianza; Avery Roper and MTM Unexpected; and Mackenzy Guptil with Poetic Justice.
The bronze medal went to fellow Zone 5 team, Team Balbuco, with Olivia Tobin and Casario de Soie Z; Avery Adams and Bastille; and Priana Malhotra with VDL It’s Andiamo.
The amateur team win went to a combined Zone 1 & 2 team, Team Idle Dice, led by Caroline Mercier. Jessica Rose, of Haverford, PA, and Blue boy; Madison Mushok, and Farmington, CT, and Candyboy P Z; Kara Krushel, of New York, NY, and iDream; and Debra Wycoff, of Fort Washington, PA, with Dundee, were the combinations dressed in gold.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to be able to participate in a championship as an amateur,” said Idle Dice member Kara Krushel. “As a junior, I missed out on those opportunities, so to be able to do it in this part of my career is something very special.”
Silver went to Team Snowman, of Zones 9 and 5, featuring Mckenna Nilsson and Coille Moire; Lucy Fishwick and Billy Meltdown; Lauren Formby and Zohra M Z; and Ashley Vaught with Catania Saflo Z. Bronze was awarded to Team ‘The Natural’ of Zones 5 and 6, consisting of Eryn Stanton and Undercover; Maya Thomas and Ideal D’Hyrencourt; Olivia Ron and Wexfo Lux Luie; and Ann Stalzer with Rearcross Quality Cruize.
With team competition complete, individual medals in the Markel/USHJA Zone & Platinum Jumper Championships will be up for grabs during Saturday and Sunday. The time and faults accumulated over each rider’s team rounds will go towards their individual scores throughout the weekend, culminating in individual medal placings.
For complete results from the Friday team finals, click here. To learn more about the Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships, click here.
About Traverse City Horse Shows (TCHS)
Traverse City Horse Shows (TCHS) is a premier destination for summer equestrian events in North America, hosting 13 weeks of world-class competitions, including 12 weeks of FEI-ranked events. Nestled in the scenic landscape of Williamsburg, Michigan—just 15 minutes from downtown Traverse City—TCHS attracts elite equestrian talent from around the globe to Flintfields Horse Park—a venue that seamlessly blends top-tier sport with the natural beauty and vibrant culture of Northern Michigan.
For more information on the season, visit TraverseCityHorseShows.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
