Apple Knoll Farm H.T.’s Triumphant Return + Beginner Novice ‘Who Jumped It Best?’

Apple Knoll Farm H.T. MA Horse Jr. Horsemanship recipient Paige Leighton on FH Red Fern. Photo by Joseph Kelley.

After a 10-year hiatus, Apple Knoll Farm H.T. returned to running a USEA recognized event last weekend — welcome back, Apple Knoll! The Millis, Massachusetts, event was a success by all accounts — a great day of sport blessed by perfect weather, with 84 pairs ranging from Beginner Novice to Training.

View complete results here. Congratulations to the winners!

Training A: Amanda Gardiner and Finn McCool (33.4)
Training B: Rachel Laliberte and Mr Rockin West (31.6)
Novice A: Jennifer Eddy and Poker Run (26.9)
Novice B: Savnnah Audet and Sweet Secret (31.9)
Novice C: Polly White and Ready or Not (33.8)
Beginner Novice A: Corrinne Lauze and Anam Cara (30.0)
Beginner Novice B: Carol Geremia and Mattie (32.3)

Adrienne Iorio, owner and head trainer of Apple Knoll Farm, was quick to give credit to the horse trials team:

“Our show secretary, Maggie Hamilton, is a newcomer to running the office for a USEA Recognized event and did not disappoint with her efficiency and attention to detail. James Gornall was our TD and Alicia Mckersie the Safety Coordinator for the event and were fabulous resources for the endeavor and helped keep us safe and legal for the day. Dressage ran on time and was on sand footing. We had Ann Marie Gregoire and Carol Mayo as our judges for the day.

“The show jumping was judged by president of the ground jury, Pam Wiedemann, and was run in our main outdoor arena on sand footing. It rode well and proved to be a challenging enough course to alter the standings going into cross country.  The North Bridge Challenge Series Jumper Shows run at Apple Knoll Farm all summer. It is a fun challenge to design within the separate set of perimeters set by the USEA for eventing.

“The cross country course builder and designer, Noll Smith, did a beautiful job building a fair but challenging course over varied terrain. Our fabulous volunteers did not disappoint with their fun and creative decorating on the cross country.”

A few photos of the course, courtesy of Adrienne and official event photographer Joan Davis of Flatlands Foto:

Iorio continues, “I need to send a giant thank you to all our volunteers. Jessica Iorio did a great job as our volunteer coordinator and there are too many of these amazing people to list by name. Area 1 really pulled together to help get us back on the USEA calendar and to make it a wonderful and well run day.

“One more well deserved thank you to our sponsors. Purina, Equinature, MA Horse, Incentive Advertising, Stubben, Heart of Dixie Blanket Wash, D.W. Equis, and North Bridge Equine who provided prizes which enabled us to give great prizes to 6th place and ribbons to 8th.”

Photo by Adrienne Iorio and Noll Smith.

Well done, all! Apple Knoll Farm is hoping to run a spring and fall date in 2020, with a tentative date of Sept. 19-20 in the fall. Keep an eye on the website and Facebook page for updates.

Let’s celebrate with a special edition of “Who Jumped It Best?” Here are six photos from the Beginner Novice divisions by Joan Davis of Flatlands Foto … decide which horse and rider present the best overall picture and cast your vote in the poll below!

Susan Perry and Bantry Bay’s Erin. Photo by Joan Davis / Flatlandsfoto.

Brianna Touzjian and Merlin’s Magic. Photo by Joan Davis / Flatlandsfoto.

Margo Rich and The Brave Little Toaster. Photo by Joan Davis / Flatlandsfoto.

Megan Iverson and To Be Determined. Photo by Joan Davis / Flatlandsfoto.

Carol Geremia and Mattie. Photo by Joan Davis / Flatlandsfoto.

Arabella Dane and Tuck Everlasting. Photo by Joan Davis / Flatlandsfoto.

Go Eventing.