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Pin Oak 2015 Week II Day 4
Alfano and Miss Lucy Return For Pin Oak Derby Victory
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Miss Lucy has had her fair share of challenges over the past two years. In 2013 she had colic surgery, and last year she had a benign tumor removed from her foot.
But you can never count out the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, and tonight she showed everyone she's back and better than ever as she captured the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Valobra Master Jewelers. The class was the featured event on March 27 during Week II of the 70th Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, presented by Irish Day Farm.
"I’m just so excited," said a tearful Alfano. "You know Lucy has had a tough couple of years, and she’s just coming back. Basically, she’s been off the better part of two years. This is her third show back, and I couldn’t stop crying when they announced she won. She’s such a special horse, and I’m just so happy for her."
Fleur De Lis Farms' Bowie and Courtney Calcagnini impressed the judges in both rounds, posting the highest scores in the Handy to place second overall. Bowie was a well decorated horse this week, also earning the High Performance Hunter Championship, the Grand Hunter Championship, and Calcagnini earned the Leading Professional Rider Award in addition to winning the High-Score honors.
Peter Pletcher and Daniel Arendt's Cantos 12 jumped into third place overall with consistent performances in both rounds.
Tonight's class featured a starting field of 42 that competed over Thomas Hern Jr.'s challenging Classic Hunter Course, and the top 12 returned for the shortened Handy.
Alfano qualfiied Billie Steffee's Maggie May as well as Miss Lucy. She returned first on Maggie May and had a bold and impressive ride.
"Maggie was awesome," said Alfano. "She was really good in the first round, and in the handy she was great. She was 12th coming back and moved up to fifth, so I was thrilled with her. She’s gotten so consistent and has gotten great."
One by one the others returned, and the scores increased. When Alfano stepped into the ring with Miss Lucy, Calcagnini had just posted scores of 89 and 87 with handy bonus points of 6 and 5 with three high options taken.
Alfano knew what she had to do, but she said the pressure she felt wasn't for the victory herself, but instead for the horse.
"She's sometimes a little hard to turn because she jumps so hard, and I have trouble staying with her," said Alfano. "So I just tried to keep the turns tight as I could without getting crazy. I felt pressure only because I wanted it so badly for Lucy."
Alfano's Handy scores of 91 and 85 with bonus points of 6 and 4 with three high options taken resulted in second place in the Handy behind Calcagnini, but the overall victory was hers by 6 points.
"Lucy was just amazing," said Alfano. "In the first round she was jumping so high and jumped so amazing. She was sort of like, ‘I’m back! This is real!’"
Last week's $25,000 International Hunter Derby at Pin Oak—which Alfano won with SBS Farms' Jersey Boy—was Lucy's first derby start since the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships in 2012.
"This was just so exciting," added Alfano. "Jersey Boy had a little mistake in the first round tonight, and it’s so awesome to have her back in action because she can back him up."
Alfano, of Buffalo, New York, was also thrilled that owner Helen Lenahan arrived in Katy, Texas, just in time to watch Miss Lucy, as did trainer Susie Schoellkopf and owners Billie Steffee and Sharon O'Neill. Alfano also credited the girls at SBS Farms for their fantastic preparation as she had four horses in the derby, including her newest Miramar, making just his second derby start.
"It's all due to this young rider here," said Lenahan of Alfano and her winning ride. "She's the one."
Schoellkopf added, "I thought it was fabulous to have that group of horses for Jen. It’s obviously disappointing when Lewis [Jersey Boy] has a rail, but they all back each other up. Last week Lucy had a rail. Jen has a great group of horses right now. Those two and Maggie, and the new one coming up—it doesn’t get much better than that."
Alfano looks forward to more shows with Miss Lucy and to having her happy and healthy.
"We’ll keep going, and we’re going to be careful about where and when we show her," said Alfano. "She’s the sweetest, kindest horse in the world. You could put a toddler in her stall with her. Aside from what she does in the ring, she's just a special horse."
Miss Lucy also won the Best Turned Out Horse Award and the Paula Sparks Perpetual Trophy donated by William Sparks.
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It's All Kocher in the $10,000 Brook Ledge Gambler's Choice
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Andrew Kocher likes the odds in his favor, and today during the $10,000 Brook Ledge Horse Transportation Gambler's Choice they certainly were.
Kocher had seven of the 22 entries in the class, in which riders have 60 seconds to choose their own routes and jump as many fences as possible to collect the most points. After they finished, riders were invited to take the "gamble" and attempt the Joker fence, the tallest on course. If they cleared it, they gained 200 points, but if the rail fell they lost 200 points.
Kocher jumped an estimated 112 fences during the class on his mounts and claimed first, second, fourth, sixth, eighth and 12th.
"That was pretty tiring. I need a sandwich," he joked afterward.
Kocher had four of his own horses and then rode three for other owners. "So, I was tired. But I knew the course pretty well!" he said.
His winning ride was Lady Sparkle, a horse he acquired a month ago from Laura Kraut and Paul Yanke to sell. The gray mare galloped and jumped to 1,430 points and cleared the Joker fence for the added bonus.
"She’s a really fun horse to ride on the weekdays. Maybe not the big grand prix classes but for these, she’s great. She’s nice and careful," he said.
Kocher mapped out his strategy before the class and then started each horse on the same route. He said Lady Sparkle had the winning edge due to her experience and and carefulness.
"She’s 13, so she can sight the jumps a little quicker than some of the other ones," he said. "As soon as I aim her at one she’s keys in on it. The other ones are like, ‘Where do I go?’ She says, ‘Oh, I see it!’ She’s also smart enough to miss the Joker at the end. She knew how to curl over it."
Kocher, of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, enjoys the Gambler's Choice classes, and it shows in the routes he takes and the tight turns and rollbacks he makes along with his smile at the finish line.
"It’s one of my favorite classes," he said. "I’ve done a bunch of these, and it’s pretty much who ever can jump the most jumps. A lot of people think they should jump all of the high points, but not really. Jump everything. Do whatever route you can do to jump the most fences."
Tackling a Gambler's Choice class also adds some excitement to the day because you can only jump each fence twice, and if a rail falls you can't jump it again.
Kocher's focus and experience came into play several times when he had to suddenly change his plan mid course or change his approach at the last moment.
"You have to be able to call an audible every three jumps or so," he said laughing. "Those are a lot of fun!"
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Pin Oak Week II Full Results
For full results of the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show Week II, please visit www.horseshowsonline.com.
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Hellman and Woodstock Win Adult Amateur Hunter Classic
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Olivia Hellman's 30-hour road trip from California, to Katy, Texas, was well worth the effort. She and her family have enjoyed mutliple ribbons and victories during their first foray to the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, and today Hellman added the Adult Amateur NAL/WIHS "Thank You Adults" Hunter Classic to their tally.
She guided Woodstock to scores of 83 and 86 to earn the blue ribbon and lead the victory gallop.
"I love him. We got him when he was 6, and we've trained him up. He’s done all of the big derbies, and he’s done a fantastic job in the amateur ring as well. You know when you go out there you have a solid horse with a good brain," she said.
Woodstock and Hope Glynn contested yesterday's $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, but their second round didn't go quite as planned after a jump on course surprised him.
"He’s a pretty remarkable horse. It’s very rare he’s going to get too fresh in the ring with us, and the weather really changed yesterday," said trainer Ned Glynn. "He just didn’t get his eye on that coop. And as much as being fresh, it bothered him that he didn’t do well. After that class we gave him 10 minutes, and he recomposed himself and walked out and was brilliant again the adult amateurs."
Hellman and Woodstock jumped to first and second in the Adult Amateur, 18-35, section yesterday prior to claiming the Classic win. Although she was nervous going into the second round with one of the highest first-round scores, Hellman had a mission in mind.
"I made a mistake in my handy round, so I was mad at myself," she said. "So I wanted to make sure this round I was happy with the way I rode and the way it turned out. He felt great and went great and it was very fun."
Ned said their clients and owners from Sonoma Valley Stables in Petaluma, California, have enjoyed their first trip to Pin Oak, and he was impressed with the management and facility.
"We found the people to be very friendly, and it was a nice change of venue for us," he said. "The rings are fantastic. They do a great job with the footing. The rings handled the rain really well, and as soon as it stopped raining it was top quality again. The drainage system really protects them if they do get a day where the weather changes. Overall, we’re really excited that we came, and we’ll be back."
The Hellman family brought nine of the 18 horses that traveled from Sonoma Valley Stables, and Week 2 highlights also included Eleanor Hellman's championship honors in the 3'3" Amateur-Owner, 18-35, section, and her seventh place in the $10,000 Brook Ledge Horse Transportation Gambler's Choice.
"I really enjoyed Pin Oak! It’s been fantastic. I’m glad we decided to come here," added Olivia.
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WEEK II OPENS MARCH 24
Week II of the 70th Pin Oak Charity Horse Show is presented by IRISH DAY FARM and all rings are filled with Hunters and Jumpers. It has been the good luck of Pin Oak to have Irish Day Farm as a Title Sponsor for three consecutive years. The owners, Katie Lambert Boone and Hans Boone, and the clients of IDF have joined forces to make it a three-peat in their support of the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show and the charities we benefit.
Thanks to all at Irish Day Farm!
Carole, Jim, Chrissy and Francie Looke . Dan, Ruth and Jazz Hawk . Ther Herbert Family . The Jeff B. and Katherine Love Foundation . Mark, Mary and Sarah Rothwell . The Silberman Family . Katie Lambert Boone and Hans Boone . Mary Kempner Daniel . Rich, Mary, Emily and Ellen Jones . JR, Susan and Sarha Sult . The Cary Family . Tracey and Gerald Cox . Felicia Bures and Michael Grow . Kathy, Criag, and Kathryn Taylor . Joe, Kelly and Catherine Coselli . Heidi Hottinger and Mike Williams . Rita Junker Pickar . Lynda Lighthouse Transier . The Uerling Family . Maggie Brown . Gregg, Allison and Haley Hammer . Tracy T. McAdoo . Melissa Mishler . The Tully-Martinsen Family
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Pin Oak Charity Horse Show II
Featured Events For March 25-29
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$10,000 Brook Ledge Transportation Gambler's Choice (Friday)
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$30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Valobra Master Jewelers (Friday)
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$30,000 Walter Oil and Gas Grand Prix (Saturday)
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Jumper and Hunter Classics and Championships (Sunday)
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A Thank You Gift for Pin Oak Exhibitors!
ATTENTION ALL EXHIBITORS!
CLICK HERE FOR YOUR $25 REWARD FROM CHARLOTTE'S SADDLERY
Our thanks to Charlotte's Saddlery, Sponsor of the Week I $5,000 Pre-Green Super Stakes and Pin Oak Club Partner, for this wondeful gift.
Trot over to Charlotte's today to get ready for Pin Oak!
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2015 Spectacular Silent Auction
Don't miss your chance to own something spectacular and benefit the charities of Pin Oak. Week I items are now SOLD, but Week II items are yet to be won. Featured items for Week II are:
BID to WIN at Bidding for Good - Auction CLOSES March 28th
LUXURIOUS SAFARI - ULTIMATE TANZANIA
A bespoke journey by Ker & Downey
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Sponsor Hospitality Week II in Sponsors' Club:
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Daily Sponsor Luncheon - 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM except Thursday, March 26 lunch is at Valobra Ring for Derby Luncheon
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$25,000 Superior Energy Grand Prix Reception and Night in the Vineyard Wine Tasting by LangeTwins Wine, Thursday, March 26 - 5:30 PM
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$30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Ringside Reception and Dinner (for Sponsors' with table benefits), Friday March 27, 5:30 PM
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Wells Fargo - The Private Bank Gala Dinner featuring $30,000 Walter Oil & Gas Grand Prix, Saturday, March 28, 6:00 PM (Sponsors with Table Benefits for this gala)
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70th Year Celebration Sponsor Brunch, Sunday, March 29, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
LIVE STREAM of HUNTER / JUMPER EVENTS!
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IDK Media Group – Streaming your Imagination
IDK Media Group is sponsoring the LIVE Video streams for the 70th Pin Oak Charity Horse Show. They will provide coverage for the Grand Prix and Welcome Stake’s, National and International Derbies and other hunter jumper classes from select rings.
IDKMediaGroup is excited to work with Pin Oak Charity Horse Show to provide streaming and video services to its competitors, sponsors, owners, parents and followers. Live Stream will be available through http://www.idkmediagroup.com/IDKMGvideoplayer
During the show, go to the link or scan the QR Code.
SHOWCASE your barn or business to reach the lucrative equestrian market! Advertising opportunities for this years IDKMediaGroup-Pin Oak video player are still available. Contact them at horse@idkmediagroup.com or Ask for Jacob at 603-465-1920.
IDKMedia group partners with many Industry leaders in platform support, streaming software, replication networks, as well as marketing and advertising firms to position their video content for world wide distribution.
IDKMediaGroup Wishes every rider the very best of luck!
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VOLUNTEERS - the other Pin Oak Champions!
Calling all volunteers! We need you to help make the 70th Pin Oak Charity Horse Show happen. The gift of your time and all talents is needed.
Please sign up on Volunteer Spot to join the Volunteer Circle of Champions or contact Jenny Conaway, jennyconaway@pinoak.org for more information.
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Get the Pin Oak App!
Get the Pin Oak App powered by Enertrade Electric! Put all things Pin Oak at your fingertips. Stabling will be loaded soon and Ring Schedules as the show nears. FREE Download for iPhone or Android devices!
We thank our App Sponsor, Enertrade Electric, Lucky Winged Solutions, and PWL Studio.
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