Articles: Horse News
$25,000 Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby
Win Awarded to Jessie Lang and C. Quito
Jessie Lang and C. Quito won the 2011 $25,000 USHJA International Franktown
Meadows Hunter Derby. Photo Credit: Heather Bellock/PMG
Contact:
Heather Bellock for
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
at (561) 753-3389 or at pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
Carson City, NV - September 5, 2011 - The Sierra Nevada Mountain Range was
the perfect backdrop for the second annual $25,000 USHJA International
Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby on September 5, 2011. Labor Day's derby
events included 250 plus spectators in attendance who were treated to a
spectacular display of hunter riding when Jessie Lang captured the hunter
derby win with C Quito, owned by Margot Snowdon. Last year's winner John
French took home reserve honors aboard CR Haribo, owned by Emma Townsend and
earned third place honors with Rienzo, owned by Sarah Draxton.
The entire weekend proved successful as the West Coast's only standalone
hunter derby. The success of this derby will hope to encourage the
progression of the standalone USHJA International Hunter Derbies throughout
the country.. The Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby also worked in
collaboration with the Water and Rails Foundation to benefit the ALS of
Nevada a non-profit organization.
This weekend riders, judges, and officials, marveled at the wonderful hunter
derby course designed by Phil DeVita of Apopka, FL, the excellent footing,
and the picturesque setting of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Riders
showcased their derby abilities while competing over the first round course
of 12 numbered obstacles. After the first round of competition 12 riders
were invited back to the show ring to compete over the handy round course,
which featured 11 numbered obstacles and included four high options.
Riders had a generous amount of space to plan their track to each fence. The
handy round began heading away from the gate over the vertical log pile,
which was decorated with wooden carved bear and eagle sculptures. The track
then turned to the first of the high options, the wine barrel
vertical. Riders then cantered around to the far end of the field to the
next high option the barn vertical headed towards the in gate and then
headed down the diagonal over a two stride oxer-oxer combination. Next, they
rolled back to the right over the trot jump and then had to hand gallop away
from the gate over a single oxer at the far end of the ring. After the hand
gallop, a short turn back to the left brought them to fence eight a roll top
coop and then to the next high option fence, an oxer. To finish, riders
turned back to the left to a single vertical away from the in gate and then
galloped to the last fence and the last high option a natural oxer.
"I think that the pace went well and I think it rode flowing and smooth. The
horses jumped well and it was a nice class," said DeVita. "This is such a
wonderful event and I hope that people can continue to come and support
it. I tried to bring some local flare into the course so, the ski jump and
the carved wooden bears and eagles at the wood jump are from the local area
to give it more character. I didn't have a lot of decorations around the
ring, just some simple things here and there. There were no gimmicks or
tricks, it was very straightforward."
"I thought the course was awesome. I liked the way it rode and really
enjoyed this derby event," said today's winner Jessie Lang. "I was
encouraged to come here by other people who had shown in the derby last year
and were helping to put the show on and I am glad I came."
Twelve horse and rider combinations returned for the handy round and were
judged by Julie Winkel, Leo Conroy, Susan B. Schoellkopf, and Daniel
Robertshaw. The first of the top seven horses to attempt the handy round was
John French and Sarah Draxton's Rienzo. The duo showed off their handiness
taking inside turns and demonstrated a bold hand gallop. French chose all of
the higher options and earned scores of 86 and 86 to secure the third place
honors.
"This was the first time I have ridden Rienzo and I think I rode him a
little too soft not knowing him. I had one jump where he had an extra step
and I didn't think there was an extra step," explained French. "Then I came
back and I got a feel for him and he was great in the handy."
French returned to the ring aboard the famous 16-year-old stallion Crown
Affair, owned by Yellow Dog Farm with a first round score of 196. The pair
received scores of 88 and 88 for their efforts in the handy round. The duo
earned a total of four bonus points for their handiness and jumped all of
the higher options earning the fifth place honors.
"I was the most happy with Crown Affair," smiled French. "We were the best
in the handy and it was special for me and the owner because it was his last
class before he was retired. It was nice that he won that and was third
overall. I think he really can turn very well and I know him so I can take
tighter turns and everything comes up flowing."
Kelly Van Vleck was the next rider to tackle the handy round and took home
the seventh place award with Linda Freeman's P.S. I Love You. The team
earned scores of 73 and 75 and eight bonus points and chose three of the
higher options. Hayley Bowen and Osilvia navigated the handy course and
their scores were enough to earn the sixth place prize. They chose all of
the higher options and were awarded scores of 73.5 and 73 with eight bonus
points for their efforts.
The next horse and rider combination to enter the ring would ultimately lead
the final victory gallop after two solid rounds. Jessie Lang piloted Margot
Snowdon's C. Quito to the victory after an impressive handy round. The duo
took every inside turn and executed a bold hand gallop keeping a smooth
consistent ride throughout their courses. They earned an 87 and an 89 with
six bonus points and an additional four points for the higher options. Their
rounds could not be matched and they took home today's winning title.
"I have had C. Quito for three years and we got him to do this type of
class," said Lang. "The course was over a big, open field and he has a huge
stride so I had to keep myself a little collected and not get too big in my
step. I thought he jumped great in the first round. I made a small error
toward the end of the bending line, so in the handy I made sure I was
working on my left turn because a lot of the tight turns were off the
left. He jumped so well and was so right on and keen; not too quite and not
too strong. C. Quito is up for stud and we have several foals on the ground
this year so it is exciting to add this to his career. He is an amazing
horse and he just loves the derbies. I really liked it here everything was
great and I am glad I came out. I think everything was done so well."
John French returned to the field to try and steal the lead this time aboard
Emma Townsend's CR Haribo. The duo pulled out all of the stops showing off
their handiness at every turn and galloping with confidence, but only jumped
two of the higher options. They earned scores of 86.5 and 85 with five bonus
points they came just shy of the win taking home the second place honors.
"I hadn't ridden CR Haribo before today so I didn't really go all out and do
all of the higher options," said French. "I was feeling him out during the
first round, but he was quite good.
French also took home the fourth place honors aboard Symon, owned by Alison
Bailyes. The pair was awarded and 77 and an 87 after jumping one of the
higher options and received four bonus points for their handiness. French
commented, "Symon's first round I didn't do any of the high options because
he is only 15.2 and can do it but sometimes will jump way too high. In the
handy I did some of the big options and he jumped really high and one judge
really liked it and the other one gave us a lower score."
"I thought the courses were great, and the handy was terrific," French
continued. "The jumps here are beautiful and they do a great job. There is
no other hunter derby like this on the west coast and I like that it is
stand alone and I hope more people start to come. I have been to ones on the
east coast and this course is better then all the derby courses I have seen
this year."
The 2011 $25,000 USHJA International Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby was
hosted by the MacLean family of the Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility in
Carson City, NV. The Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby worked in collaboration
with the Water and Rails Foundation to benefit the ALS of Nevada a
non-profit organization.
The Water and Rails Community Foundation promotes organizational innovation
and collaboration as means by which charitable gifts can be used in the most
effective and efficient manner possible. This year, ALS Of Nevada was the
beneficiary of the $25,000 Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby. The Northern
Nevada community has been enriched through the kind generosity of donors,
the quality services provided by local non-profits, and the hard work of
many volunteers.
For more information about the 2011 $25,000 USHJA International Franktown
Meadows Hunter Derby please visit www.fmhunterderby.com. For more
information and questions please contact FMHunterDerby@gmail.com or Lynne
Garnett at (775) 722-4261.
Photo: Jessie Lang and C. Quito won the 2011 $25,000 USHJA International
Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby. Photo Credit: Heather Bellock/PMG Photograph
may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.
The 2011 $25,000 Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby Fast Facts:
EVENT: The Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby is the only standalone hunter
derby on the west coast. The Derby will be a member event of the United
States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) International Hunter Derby
Series. This charitable event benefits ALS Nevada, a non-profit organization
that aids those affected by ALS in Nevada.
WHAT: Over the course of three days, riders and spectators will enjoy a
variety of exciting events that offer the highest quality judges, the best
course designers, great food, multiple exhibits for all ages, and first
class hospitality for two- and four-legged competitors alike.
WHERE: Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility is located 15 minutes south of
Reno at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in historic Washoe
Valley
Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility
4200 Old Highway 395
Carson City, NV 89704
WHEN: Labor Day Monday, September 5, 2011
DERBY MANAGER: Phil De Vita, Jr.
THE FACILITY:
Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility
Located on 41 acres of foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range
Carson City, Nevada
61 12 x 12 Box Stalls with 12 x 24 Outdoor Runs
3 12 x 16 Box Stalls with 12 x 24 Outdoor Runs
Pasture Boarding
Individual Tack Lockers
Warm and Cold Water Wash Racks
15 Grass Turnouts
125 x 225 Indoor Arena
125 x 215 Outdoor Jumping Arena
125 x 100 Small Arena
Dressage Court and Adjacent Warm-Up Area
Bridle Path and Extensive Trails within Minutes
24-Hour Security with Gated Entrance
For more information about the FM Hunter Derby or for sponsorship
opportunities please contact:
Lynne Garnett
(775) 722-4261
Lynne@franktownmeadows.com
www.FMHunterDerby.com
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