Michael Willham and Lauren Kieffer Top Long-Format Divisions at Hagyard Midsouth

Photo by Photography In Stride.

The final day of the Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event and Team Challenge wrapped up on possibly one of the most beautiful fall days of the year. The sun shone and although the wind was a bit strong (who needs standing plants or timers in show jumping right?) horses were content to jump around while an array of spectators were out watching the event with excitement.

Once the Training horse trials concluded, the Preliminary Three-Day competitors arrived on the scene for show jumping. The show jump course once again proved to be extremely difficult, leaving two riders eliminated and only one finishing double clear.

The winner of the P3D was Michael Willham and Fernhill Cayenne on a 28.6. Michael and the Irish Sport Horse led from start to finish and while they added 1.2 time penalties on endurance day, they were the only pair in the division to have a fault free show jump round, locking in the win. Everyone was grinning ear to ear when he jumped the last fence and threw his arms around Fernhill Cayenne. This team sure deserved this win. They obviously have a special bond and we are excited to see where they go in the future.

Second place went to Lee Camiolo and Caharron VE. They finished on a 33.1 with just one unfortunate rail in an otherwise lovely show jump round. Quite an impressive placement for a young rider only 17 years old on such a big track.

To take third was Arden Wildasin on Kineo. They moved up from fourth to third after endurance day, and just one rail down today kept their placement and a final score of 38.1. Finishing the three-day was quite an accomplishment for any of the riders as only five out of ten of the riders completed the event.

Awards were presented by none other then the legendary Bruce Davidson, who gave each rider a deserving handshake upon receiving their ribbons.

The Training Three-Day had an impressive total of 45 entries. The scores were extremely tight throughout the class, with every rider who attempted cross country completing. A rail or two was a huge game changer for any rider, dropping them nearly ten placings in some instances and double clean rounds were greatly rewarded.

The ultimate winners were Lauren Kieffer and LNDMK’s Mochachino, a pair that recently finished sixth in the USEA East Coast 5-Year-Old Young Event Horse Championships at Fair Hill International. They entered the ring at the Kentucky Horse Park as the overnight leaders. Not a sound was uttered as everyone watched their show jumping round after several riders had been adding rails. Lauren and Mochachino had one to spare but delivered a clear round regardless. They finished on their dressage score of 23.8.

Lauren Kieffer and Landmark’s Mochachino. Photo by Photography In Stride.

The second place finisher was Alexandra Knowles and Ms. Poppins. They finished on their dressage score of 29.3, breaking a tie with Hannah Hubsch having finished closer to the optimum time on cross country. A clean show jumping round was a great finish for Allie on her home turf of the Kentucky Horse Park.

Hannah Hubsch and Ashbourne’s Boss also finished on their dressage score of 29.3. This pair had a lovely and very well ridden show jump round that kept them in the running with the Rolex veterans on top.

Alexandra Knowles and Ms. Poppins. Photo by Photography In Stride.

Along with the three days and CCI* running this weekend there was also a standard horse trial running as a team challenge. Scores were combined between riders on a team and were then placed by who had the lowest combined score. Teams 1-3 were rewarded each with a neck sash, and winners of their divisions received an engraved leather halter.

Congratulations to the following winning teams!

Preliminary: Team Midwest Mishmash with riders Buck Davidson, Erin Nelson and Molly Doan

Training: Team Generation Gap with riders Julia Davies, Brynna Gang, Matt Trynoski and Jennifer Bazan

Novice: Team Sock Monkies of Pendragon with riders Cora Severs, Noa Crowley, Ava Severs and Jennifer Dougherty.

Beginner Novice: Team Area 8 YR Smarties with riders Quinn Foor, Lauren Mansky, Mellissa Granzier and Acadia Hansen.

Congratulations to all riders on a fantastic weekend at Hagyard Midsouth 2016!

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