Marci Decker
wins the first
Showrider.com
Equitation Cup
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Name:
Marci Decker |
A field of 22 junior riders competed Saturday September 4 in the premier of the Showrider.com Equitation Cup equitation class held at Stoney Ridge Farm in Chelsea, Michigan . The 11 obstacle course, which covered 2 show rings, was designed by USEF judge and course designer Scott Alder, and included a no-stride in & out, various bending lines and more. The first rider to climb to the top of the class was Kala Crampton (trained by Paula Crampton), who jumped a beautiful round on her horse "High Society" and scored an impressive 81 from the judges. Marci Decker (trained by Suz Bates) came in a few rounds later aboard her horse "Grand Marnier" and moved to the top of the class after jumping a virtually flawless round, scoring an 83. Alex Weber (trained by Sarah Haas), and her horse "Streetwise" followed, jumping a very nice round, rating a 79 from the judges. Caroline Weipert (trained by Cindy Petherbridge) and her horse "Evenstar" scored a 75, making her the 4th rider to qualify for the testing phase.
In the testing phase of this event, the top 4 riders from the first round return and they have 90 seconds to perform a flat phase entirely of their own design. After a very nice test ridden by Weipert, Weber returned to test and turned up the heat on the remaining 2 riders by entering the ring without stirrups on her saddle to perform her flat phase. She also chose to show her horse's outstanding skill at the counter-canter and extended trot. Decker was the last to return and held on to her top spot from the first round after performing a very well ridden flat phase. Weber moved up to finish 2nd, Weipert moved up to 3rd and Crampton moved to 4th. The other 2 riders rounding out the top 6 places were Trisha Lawrence (trained by Paula Crampton) aboard her horse "Even Keel" and Sloan Schottenheimer (trained by Steve Hawkins) and her horse "Gratitude".
On hand was the president of Show Rider Inc., Christopher Ewing, who presented the cup to the winner and who was quite pleased with how well the class was received by the riders and trainers. "I'm glad everyone enjoyed it. A number of riders, trainers and spectators came up to me and said what a great idea the class is and that was really cool. I thought that Scott designed an excellent course, which was both inviting and challenging at the same time, and all of the rider's did a great job through the bounce, the bending lines and the short approach off of the rail. It was a great class to watch." Ewing, a rider and trainer himself at Foxwoode Farms in Holly, Michigan, said that he had had the idea for the class for more than a year and decided now was the time to sponsor the event, which is slated to be held at more horse shows around the country over the coming months. "The idea in creating this type of class was to give the rider the chance to really show what they and their horse can do, both over fences and on the flat. I think that a horse only has so many jumps in them anyway, so I thought that it would be really neat if there was a class where in the testing phase the rider could really be creative and show that they can do more than just walk, trot and canter in both directions. This type of testing phase gives the rider and their trainer a chance to really work together to come up with a unique flat phase which will show just how well rounded the rider is and how well they, and their horse, work together as a team. Plus, from a spectator's point of view it's kind of exciting because, since each rider comes back in reverse order, it puts a bit of added pressure on the rider to try to be even more creative than the rider before them if they want to win."
There are other events that Ewing's company plans on sponsoring, including a unique working hunter class, as well as the Showrider.com Equitation Challenge, a 3'6" equitation class where the first round and the testing phase are done in a "freestyle" manner, where the rider creates both, their own first round jumping phase and flat phase test. There is also a class for adult amateur riders in the works.
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"Christopher - Just wanted to Thank You for your great idea and follow-up on the Showrider.com Medal at the MHJA Finals! Loved the course, the idea, thereby making a Medal for the real Limit/Young Rider's kids, the whole thing. Thanx again for going out of your way for such a wonderful class. Take care! Best Wishes!" Cindy Petherbridge, Huntsover Farm, Holly, MI |
Video Clips & Interviews
(click on the photo to view the on-line interview)
[NOTE: Your computer must have Windows Media Player to view the
moving video.]
Clip from Marci's winning round
Marci gives advice to other young riders
Suz Bates, Marci's trainer
Photos
2nd place winner, Alex Weber
3rd place winner, Caroline Weipert
4th place winner, Kala Crampton
5th place winner, Trisha Lawrence
6th place winner, Sloan Schottenheimer
Special thanks to all of
the riders and trainers
who participated in this event!
| RIDER | TRAINER |
| Stefanie Grahl | Chris Grahl |
| Alexandra Langenfeld | Cathy Johnson |
| Sarah Lavoie | Donna Caston |
| Stephen Nicholson | Maribeth Gilliam |
| Lynn Marie Mickalich | Diane Hake |
| Teri Wray Cox | Donna Caston |
| Caitlin Matta | Diane hake |
| Stefanie Calderone | Suz Bates |
| Bliss Bridgewater | Maribeth Gilliam |
| Caitlin Ceglarek | Suz Bates |
| Abigail Frankel | Cindy Petherbridge |
| Megan Peters | Debbie Butler-Proulx |
| Jacqueline Walker | Donna Caston |
| Mallory Jacober | Tara Golaszewski |
| Erin Geller | Donna Caston |
| Chelsea Bartscht | Jan Dooley |
| Rebecca Hudson | Tara Golaszewski |
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Dear
Mr. Ewing, |