49th Annual Menlo Charity Horse Show Wrap Up

Atherton, CA – August 15, 2019

The 49^th Menlo Charity Horse Show came to a close as over 200 volunteers were carefully packing up and storing everything from table cloths to jumps, while at the same time planning for the upcoming 50^th Anniversary Celebration next year.

The gorgeous Northern California weather made for a spectacular week of three-ring competition across the country club setting at the Menlo Circus Club. Majestically presiding over the Grass Hunter and Jumper Fields, the sold out VIP tent was the place to see and be seen in Silicon Valley, as spectators from Sponsors to businessmen to generations of families cheered on their favorites in the victory gallop.

2019 Highlights

The Windy Hill Larry Mayfield 1.20m Horse and Hound Jumper Classic

The Windy Hill Larry Mayfield 1.20m Horse and Hound Jumper Classic had a very special result, as in the end, it was Natalie Gerst, the Granddaughter of the late Larry Mayfield in the winner’s circle.

The event was established in the memory of Larry Mayfield by Laura Gerst, Natalie’s mother, and family members. Three generations have now consistently participated in, and attended, Menlo Charity Horse Show and a young Natalie was over the moon having won the event held in her grandfather’s honor.

The $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Presented by Dr. Daryl K. Hoffman

The $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Presented by Dr. Daryl K. Hoffman has long been a highlight of the Menlo Charity Horse Show, and was the showcase event on Thursday afternoon. John French returned to the Grass Hunter Field after sitting out the 2018 event due to injury. John had the ride on friend and client Kristen Hiller’s Center Court. It is clear that strong relationship built between horse and rider remains firmly in tact, as the two have been separated geographically for nearly a year, and were both happy to return to Menlo, which French and Hiller consider to be their hometown show, and on this, his 32^ndyear coming to the event, took the Championship title.

$10,000 Rhys Vineyards Ryman Memorial Speed Class

Cassio Rivetti and Dakota Of The Lowlands owned by Jamine Talleywere the superstars of Friday evening’s $10,000 Rhys Vineyards Ryman Memorial Speed Class. Practice seemed to make perfect as he also took second place on his trainer, Neil Jones’ horse Isoline Van Doperheide. Rhys Vineyard’s Catherine Harvey, a Menlo Co-Chair and her husband Kevin have been dedicated to supporting the horse show for many years. 2019 marks the third consecutive year as host and Sponsor of the Friday evening event and speed class.

40,000 Stephen Silver Grand Prix

2019 marks the third year that Chairman and CEO of Stephen Silver, the leading Silicon Valley jewelry and watch retailer, based in the Rosewood Sand Hill Hotel, has sponsored the $40,000 Grand Prix.

Thirty horse and rider combinations accepted the challenge presented by international Course Designer Bernardo Costa Cabral.Those lucky enough to make it to the jump off had to take a huge risk as every attempt at acceleration could result in a rail. Brown and Mylord Cornet managed to set a time that was hard to beat. Those who tried fell pray to a rail (or more) as they attempted to knock Brown off the top spot.

A Classic Sunday

$1,000 Peninsula Equine Medical Center Adult Amateur Hunter Classic

Tonia Cook Looker and Deja Blue won the $1,000 Peninsula Equine Medical Center Adult Amateur Hunter Classic in great style riding against a field of 17 entries. Tonia was thrilled with the performance of her young horse. Shabnam H Behzadpour on Escher followed on her heels to take second place and Emily Goldberg on Salud took home third.

The $1,000 Adult Amateur Hunter Classic is sponsored by PeninsulaEquine Medical Center. Russ Peterson, MS Animal Nutrition, DVM, President and CEO of Peninsula Equine, Inc. was on hand to present the awards.

$5,000 China Blue Farm 3’6 Adult Amateur Classic

The competition was stiff in the $5,000 China Blue Farm 3’6” Adult Amateur Hunter Classic in the Grass Hunter Ring. In the end, it would be Alexis Meadows and her own Antwerp leading the victory gallop. Alexis also took home the second place ribbon with Legato and Jacqueline Attwood-Dupont on Black Label placed third.

Priscilla Tamkin of China Blue Farm Sponsored the classic. The farm is located in the Santa Ynes Valley of California is devoted to breeding and developing top hunters, jumpers and equitation horses.

1.20m Junior/ Amateur Owner / Amateur Jumper Classic Sponsored by Charlebois Farm

Lauren Kee on her own Black Irish was over the moon with her first win at Menlo against eighteen entries. The high standards this year made for an exciting class.

The 1.20m Junior/ Amateur Owner / Amateur Jumper Classic is sponsored by John Charlebois, Owner and Trainer at Charlebois Farm.

The Menlo Charity Horse Show, a 501 (c) (3) organization which Started in 1970 as a one-day horse show, and has a tradition of providing outstanding competition as well as raising funds for community partners.  Over the past four decades, Menlo has provided funding to numerous charities including Planned Parenthood, Amigos De Las Americas, and our current charitable partner Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Now a six-day event, Menlo was recognized in 2012 as a USEF Heritage Competition. Menlo has been nationally recognized as one of the top horse shows in the country. Designated as the USHJA World Champion Hunter Rider Competition, Menlo plays host to the USHJA WCHR South West Regional Awards ceremony.The rich history of this show and its philanthropy is unsurpassed.

 

The Menlo Charity Horse Show, a 501(C)(3) organization recognized as a USEF Heritage Competition, benefits Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired by producing a premiere equestrian event while educating the community on the issues of the visually impaired.

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