10/21/2024
This weekend we put the “divide and conquer” team to the test with Emma judging in Aiken and Nick heading to Upperville with our riders who qualified for the WIHS Regional Horse Show and Zone 3 Finals. Thank you to the best team at home who gives us the ability to make this happen. From barn staff to childcare, we couldn’t do it without you!
This group of riders deserves more than just a brief shout out. All of you have come so far and we are so proud of your representation of our program on a big stage this weekend.
⭐️ Hailey Johnson and our own “Jaspar” had a clean sweep of the 1.10 Amateurs this weekend, winning the 1.10 Speed on Saturday, the Welcome and Championship on Sunday. Hailey has been our working student for the past 4 years and just did the 1.0 last fall for the first time. In fact, I’m pretty sure that this weekend was her 5th time in the jumper ring and her 3rd time at the 1.10, but this success speaks to her incredible work ethic and desire to ride and learn. She helps us with every, single part of our business and never complains. She’s our right hand woman and we could not be more thrilled to see her have this success on this very special horse.
⭐️ Ava Robards and “Wrozbita” have been the team to beat this year in the 1.0 Junior Jumpers. Ava and Waffle won the 1.0 Junior Speed Saturday with a 2nd in the Welcome on Sunday and were the fastest 4 faulter in the Championship class. This time last year, Ava was just beginning to do canter sets on Waffle as she patiently helped us rehab him from an injury. And at that time, she had not shown past the 2’6 hunters. We love this team and couldn’t be happier to have Waffle in the barn teaching Ava and being able to see their partnership grow this year as they have collected blue ribbons everywhere they’ve shown.
⭐️ Jessica Stamatakis and her new mount “Fernhill Divergent” have only known each other for about a month and a half. They finished 2nd and 7th out of 27 Older Children’s on Saturday and 3rd and 5th in Sunday’s Zone Championship. Prior to this month, Jessica had never shown at the 3’ and has spent the year in the Low Children’s. We knew that Four was going to be the perfect match for her but we are beyond thrilled with how quickly they have clicked and at their quick success together. Jessica started 4 years ago with us in the 2’ and it has been such a pleasure to watch her learn and grow and advance in such a short time.
⭐️ Julia Stamatakis and “Hide and Seek” just met less than a year ago. They finished 4th out of 46 entries on Saturday in the Low Children’s and 4th and 7th out of 17 today in the Zone Championship. Peep is another one that we knew was the perfect match for Julia before she ever tried him. They have held their own in some huge Low Children’s divisions this year. Like her sister, Julia came to us just stepping into the show ring for the first time at 2’ and her growth as a rider has been huge and so rewarding to be a part of.
⭐️ Cleopatra and Lauren Trembath just celebrated the year anniversary of their partnership. They finished 6th and 4th of 42 Low Hunters on Saturday and 2nd, 4th and 7th in the Low Children’s Zone Championship today out of 17. When Lauren came to us, she had just moved up to the Long Stirrup on her large pony. It has been such a pleasure to help pair her with Cleo and to watch them move up to the 2’6 and now to the Children’s Hunters together, winning classes at their first two shows at 3’!
The days are long, but the years are short. Watching you girls work and ride every day seems repetitive, but the growth over time is truly unbelievable and we are so proud! Thank you for trusting us and being such great team members!
