Maui Jim Horse Trials Wrap Up After Soggy Weekend
RELEASE: July 17, 2008
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Emily Daily
Stormy weather didn’t dampen the competitors’ spirits this past weekend at the Maui Jim Horse Trials in Wayne, IL, where hundreds of riders turned out for the prestigious event. The organizing committee and officials did a wonderful job of rearranging the schedules so that all the riders would have the chance to compete in all three phases – not an easy task, considering that two full days of drenching thunderstorms soaked the grounds. The competitors were all appreciative of the officials’ efforts and everyone worked together to make sure that the event was a positive experience.
“The event went surprisingly well thanks to a great group of officials, volunteers and riders who adapted to the weather related re-schedulings with great professionalism and good cheer. I was happy that everyone got to run all three phases of their respective divisions,” said event organizer Katie Lindsay.
The Maui Jim Horse Trials, which is run at the picturesque Lamplight Equestrian Center and the Pratt Wayne Forest Preserve, was the first Adequan USEA Gold Cup event of the summer and also the first of three Gold Cup events in the Midwest.
The Gold Cup Series consists of two sections (an Advanced and an Intermediate) and horse and rider combinations from all over the country compete at select events (in designated "Gold Cup" divisions) to try and cumulate points on the leader board. To learn more about the points system, visit the Gold Cup Points page. Not only do competitors in the series earn points for their efforts, but top finishers at each of the Gold Cup events take home cash and great prizes as well!
This weekend, Sara Dierks of Berryville, VA, and Somerset II won the CIC3* (the “Advanced” Gold Cup division), after adding just four cross-country time penalties and a single show jumping fault to finish with a 66.4. Fresh off their fourth place finish at Jersey Fresh CCI3* this May, the eleven-year-old English thoroughbred gelding owned by Chris Desino and Edith Rameika looked to be in fine form. They started off their weekend in third after their dressage test left them with a score of 58.4, but jumped ahead of leaders Allison Springer (aboard Arthur) and Jennifer Libby (aboard Jazz King) to take home the Gold Cup. Springer and Arthur led the field of seven competitors with a dressage score of 46, but had to settle for second place after accruing time penalties on cross-country and two dropped rails in show jumping. Libby and Jazz King rounded out the third position after adding hefty time faults to their dressage score of 53.8.
In the CIC2* (the “Intermediate” Gold Cup division), it was Olympic Gold medalist Leslie Law aboard Beatrice Rey-Herme’s Mystere du Val who claimed the title. The eight-year-old French-bred Selle Francais/Arabian gelding led the field from start to finish with an impressive score of 46.9, adding only a handful of time penalties on cross-country their score. Last year’s winner in the CIC2*, Cassidy Lundmark and What’s Shakin’ had to settle for second this year, while Karen Shull and Just My Style took home the third place ribbon.
The Gold Cup series will return to Lamplight Equestrian Center this September for the Wellpride USEA American Eventing Championships, which, for the first time, has signed on to be a part of this popular series. If you’re in the area, be sure to head over to this scenic facility, whether it be to compete or to cheer on some of the nation’s top riders in all divisions.
Maui Jim HighlightsOrganizer Katie Lindsay’s highlight of the event was Shelby Bradley winning the “Closest to Optimum Time” award. “We timed horses at a "secret" spot on cross country. She was one second off – wow! She's from Little Rock and was shocked and delighted to receive a certificate for an outfit for herself and a bridle and saddle for her horse all thanks to the generosity of English Riding Supply and the Ovation Four-Star coll