After winning the $32,000 GFL Environmental CSI2* Welcome on Friday at Flintfields Horse Park, Daisy Farish (USA) said that Quala vd Rollebeek was the best horse she’s ever ridden. The comment was high praise in the mix of horses Farish has piloted throughout her career. The pair topped a four-horse jump-off to lead an all-American victory gallop during the final week of the Traverse City Spring Series, presented by Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring.
Anderson Lima (BRA) built a course true to form for the experience level of those who contested his first-round track. Farish and her Belgian Warmblood mare (Bamako De Muze x Vigo D’Arsouilles) owned by Lane’s End Showjumping put the pressure on current leader Jacqueline Ruyle as the penultimate pair over the short course. Leaving all rails in the cups in a tidy time of 33.70 seconds, Farish and Quala secured the win.
“I’ve had Quala for just about a year now; I bought her as a seven-year-old last summer. She was showing with McKayla Langmeier very successfully and I was really excited to have her in my string as a prospect for big sport one day,” said Farish of the now eight-year-old. “She’s come through really nice this year. She did some under-25 classes in Florida and this is her first two-star FEI week. She obviously handled it great; I’m really excited for the future with her.”
Walking the short track plan before the class began, Farish had her eye on where she could shave precious seconds off her jump-off time.
“I walked all the leave-outs that I did, but the first two that went before me were fast on smaller horses and didn’t have so much stride,” admitted Farish. “I was doubting my plan but I was going to stick with it. She has such a big stride so it worked out nicely.”
The winning pair form last week’s 4* speed, Ruyle (USA) and Cyramo Z (Clarimo x Vigo D’Arsouilles STX), earned themselves the red ribbon on a time of 35.11 seconds. U.S. Show Jumping Hall of Farm member Margie Goldstein-Engle and JackOfHearts (HeartBeat x Baloubet du Rouet) took third for the second time in as many days, this time in 35.47 seconds.
Farish is no stranger to Flintfields Horse Park, as she has been competing here since she was six-years-old. “I’ve been coming here since the show was called Horse Shows by the Bay,” said Farish. “I love it here. I love staying here, it’s such an enjoyable town. There’s plenty of things to do for spectators, competitors, everyone. They’ve done an incredible job making improvements every year.”
As Farish brings Quala vd Rollebeek up the ranks, she is also using her time in Traverse City to focus on her training business at Manciais Stables, alongside fellow up-and-coming U.S. professional Spencer Smith.
“I think one of the nicest things about this show for the summer is that they make all the classes feel special,” continued Farish. “Most of my students are showing in the same ring I just showed in, which is really good experience for them. Not many shows make each class feel so special.”
Two-star competitors will return to the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring on Sunday for the week’s feature event, the $75,000 Molon Excavating CSI2* Grand Prix.
For complete results, click here.
The Streak Stays Alive: Zone 5 Takes Gold 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 the final week 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.
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 Canturo took gold after facing off with Zone 2’s Team Shutterfly in the tie-breaking jump-off.
Both Team Canturo and Team Shutterfly each dropped a four-fault score prior to the short course, leaving a clean slate to claim gold. Team Canturo selected amateur Clayton Martines of Lafox, IL, and his own Ultimate Touch ML Z as the tie-breaking pair.
“I felt really honored to be the one to determine whether we were silver or gold,” said Martines. “Overall, I am really thankful that they allowed me to jump off, even though I got a rail across the first course, they were still happy to give me the chance to go again and prove myself.”
The short course came down to a true foot race with Martines and Team Shutterfly’s returning selection, Zone 2’s Grace Sappington of Mechanicsburg, PA, and Georgio De La Pomme Z, owned by Sappington Equine LLC, both earning four faults. Ultimately, it was Martines’ ability to quickly stop the clock that earned the Zone 5 team the gold medal.
“The first time I ever rode him [Ultimate Touch ML Z], he was amazing,” said Martines of the 11-year-old Warmblood gelding. “I almost connected with him immediately. Even my trainer and the person we were trying him from were absolutely amazed with how well we were connected. I just love him so much.”
Team Canturo’s success came with a strategy behind it with chef d’équipe Lindsay Yinger placing each rider in an order that would motivate the team. “As much as it doesn’t seem like there’s too much strategy, it goes a lot deeper than what we see in my opinion,” said Martines.
“I feel like it’s important to go in and know which rider to choose first so that everyone is confident on the team,” said Martines. “A good and experienced rider goes in first to let everyone know how the course rides and then the last ones are the ones that really put on the pressure and put the team in a good spot.”
The winning team featured Martines along with Taylor Johnson of Brownsburg, IN, riding Upsy Daisy; Lori Bidwell of Lexington, KY, aboard Nim; and Caitlin Hope Rose of Kary, IL, on Lyminka SH.
Silver went to Zone 2’s Team Shutterfly featuring Grace Sappington along with Anleigh Ahlert aboard Jasmijn; Katelyn Vandenburg riding Ilon; and Liam Gaspar on Airline R. Bronze went to Zone 5’s Team Sapphire featuring Elizabeth Rinehart riding AM Orem Rose; Claire Mullally aboard Gio W-Z; Alexandra Snow on Mr.Pleasure VHL; and Jean McLaren in the irons of Pearl of Grey VHL.
Team championship action continued with the 1.10-1.15m Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Championship where another Zone 5 team clenched gold. Team Snowbound—another group led Lindsay Yinger—took the gold, featuring Ann Stalzer of St. Charles, IL, on Rearcross Quality Cruize; Charlotte Graham of Winnetka, IL, riding Costell; and Maelyn Taule of Westchester, OH, in the irons of Haufom.
With just three riders on the team, Zone 5 had extra pressure for a clear performance. With five out of six rides resulting in a clear over Thursday and Friday, the team secured their top spot on the podium.
The silver medal went to Team Hello Sanctos, consisting of riders from Zones 1,4, and 7, including Holly Labry of Memphis, TN, and Coco Chanel Z; Madeline Laplante of South Glastonbury, CT, on No One’s Quick As Gaston; and Ruth McKee of Saint Louis, MO, riding Vendome Palordet.
The bronze medal came down to a three-way tie, resulting in one rider from each of the tied teams being selected to take on a shortened course to determine the medal winner. The Zone 5 team—Team Hickstead—bested the short course for bronze, thanks to team member Bailey Beal of Newport, KY, and Fabian D. Helen Griffith of Columbus, OH, on Cantia D, and Emily Smith, Valparaiso, KY, and Bradley accompanied Beal on the podium for bronze as fellow members of Team Hickstead.
Bringing home Friday’s fastest clear ride, counting towards her team and her individual score, was Ann Stalzer and her own Rear Cross Quality Cruize. The pair stopped the speed clock at 69.250 seconds.
“Cruz and I have been riding together for about two years,” said Stalzer of the 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare. “This is my first big championship at 1.10m. My goal was to just go clean and clear. If I was able to get some speed out there, that was good. We were so thrilled to be able to go clean and clear. It paid off in the end.
“This is not something you do every day, especially jumping at this height. It’s something that’s really special. You’re forming a bond with these other people you’ve potentially never met before. It’s so wonderful to be able to connect with other equestrians.”
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.
The Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships provide riders with a competitive team experience and an opportunity to earn Zone Horse of the Year points in the 1.10/1.15m Junior and Amateur Jumper and 1.20/1.25m Junior and Amateur Jumper sections. The Championships are held by region and consist of both team and individual competition.
For complete results, click here.
