Final qualifiers set the stage for the $50,000 Cherry Capital 3’3” Equitation Championship Final and $100,000 Dudley and Barb Smith 3’6” Equitation Championship
Traverse City, MI — While the Tournament of Champions still has two jam-packed competition weeks remaining, many equitation riders are viewing week two as their grand finale, namely due to two major finals taking place during week two: the $50,000 Cherry Capital 3’3” Equitation Championship Final and $100,000 Dudley and Barb Smith 3’6” Equitation Championship.
The annual $100,000 Dudley and Barb Smith 3’6” Equitation Championship, held Sunday, September 13, will test the top tier of equitation riders, and often serves as a prelude to the fall equitation finals which come up shortly after the Traverse City season closes. After a year of qualifying events, the top 50 riders in the standings will be invited to compete.
The $50,000 Cherry Capital 3’3” Equitation Championship Final is reserved for equitation riders competing at the 3’3” level, also requiring qualification and serving as the first of many year-end 3’3” equitation finals.
On Sunday of week one of the Tournament of Champions, Adelle Alletto further solidified her already safe position in the standings, currently slotted in third place overall. She scored a victory in the final qualifier for the 3’6” Equitation Championship, while Anna Tyler took second place and currently sits just behind Alletto in fourth on the overall standings. Leading the charge in the standings is Brooke Rubio on 790 qualifying points.
Also taking a win Sunday was Ella Endzwieg, who topped the last qualifier for the 3’3” Equitation Championship, likely to secure her a position in next week’s event. Charlotte Galley currently leads the standings for the 3’3” championship.
KK Hooper was the winner of the Great Lakes Golf Cars Low Adult Classic aboard Scott Van Het Elkenhof. The pair took home scores of 80 and 85 in each respective round for a total of 165 and the win. Kristen Bell was second with Harlequin, while Lauren Trible-Laucht and Carerra Z were third.
The Great Lakes Equestrian Realty Adult Amateur Hunter division ended in a championship effort for Heather Fortune and Good 4 You, taking first and second places over fences on Sunday, as well as a first-place finish on Saturday. Leighann Taylor and Strictly Business took the reserve championship for the division.
Coming up during week two of the Tournament of Champions, Major League Show Jumping returns with CSI5* and CSI2* action, along with the prestigious equitation championships with over $150,000 in prize money. Fans and competitors can view full schedules, results, and live updates through the Traverse City Horse Shows Mobile App.
