Courtney Calcagnini Cleans Up in the Professional Hunter Divisions at Summer in the Rockies IV

Courtney Calcagnini and Elementary

Calcagnini and Elementary just could not be beat today in the First Year Green Hunters. They added two blues over fences to their win in yesterday’s over fences and handy hunter classes. Their consistency over the past couple days was rewarded with the division tricolor and the Grand Green Hunter Championship honors. Elementary is owned by Fleur De Lis Farms in Argyle, TX. Taking home reserve was Emma Farber’s entry Triumph, from Encino, CA, with Leslie Steele in the irons.

“Today from yesterday, I thought he was even more relaxed,” commented Calcagnini. “I mean, he was just so easy, so perfect going around. He is a seven year old; we bought him in January from Brandie Holloway. He is just the sweetest, most straightforward horse. He can show in the Juniors and the First Years, he does the derbies. He has a kid, he shows in the Small Junior Hunters on the weekend with Camille Trimble. I don’t like to do too many classes. I like to save him as much as possible.”

Courtney Calcagnini and Elementary

When asked what she thought made them stand out this week, Calcagnini explained, “I think his consistency, he just stays on the same canter all the way around the ring and he is so sweet. He never changes. He is just very consistent for a First Year horse.”

Following a successful first day in the Olson Family Main Hunter Ring, Holly Shepherd and LPF Woodford kept their winning streak alive in the High Performance Working Hunter division. Shepard and LPF Woodford, owned by Lone Pine Farm LLC in Ocala, FL, jumped to a first and second place finish over fences today. Added to their back-to-back wins yesterday, they were announced as the division champion. Jessie Lang piloted C. Quito to the reserve honors for owner Margot Snowdon of Wilson, WY.

“He went super, I pretty much expect that from him,” expressed Shepherd. “I think he wowed the judges at the first jump in every class. He shows his talent all the time, whether he is too far away or is cantering too slow to the jump, you still get this amazing jump out of him. I don’t know how it can happen, but he manages to pull it off.

Holly Shepherd and LPF Woodford

Shepherd and LPF Woodford also earned scores of 86 and 85 for a total of 171 in the two-round $1,000 Open Hunter Classic, good for the win. 

“I was in the jumper ring all day long so I didn’t get to watch many in the classic,” commented Shepherd. “I saw one of the 3’3″ Performance Hunters go and I thought that they might get us, but not today. Today he got to come back out for a cooler. Hopefully derby day next week will be just like that too.”

In the Performance 3’6″ Working Hunters, it was Calcagnini and Arthur who took home the division championship for owner Brooke Weiss of Frisco, TX. Weiss is a new client and Arthur has only been in the barn for a week. Claiming reserve was Conner Hinckley of Argyle, TX and his own Seamless.

“Arthur is actually new to my barn, this is my first week to ride him,” revealed Calcagnini. “I don’t know him super well but he is very sweet and easy and straightforward. He has a huge stride, so he needs a slow ride. He is a new client’s horse. I actually didn’t even practice on Tuesday, I let the kid have a lesson, so I practiced a couple days during the off week and that’s it. I just tried to do my best.”

Courtney Calcagnini and Arthur

Wrapping up the professional hunter action was the Performance 3’3″ Working Hunter division, where Wagner and Kelly Lorek rode away with the champion honors for owner Annabelle Regan of Austin, TX. Craftsman, a Twin Oaks Farm LLC entry from Culpeper, VA, and rider Jessie Lang took reserve.

“I think the course rode nicely today, it was a fantastic course,” noted Lorek. “Everything kind of flowed out of the turns, it was just great. Wagner does the juniors with Annabelle, she does the Older Larges. He is a super guy. He takes a patient ride. We’ve been here before, this is our third year. I like the improvements, it has been wonderful. Great weather, great location, how can you beat it?” 

Kelly Lorek and Wagner

About the Colorado Horse Park
Celebrating its 21st Anniversary, the Colorado Horse Park was founded by visionary Helen Krieble who acknowledged the need for a high-volume horse show and horse boarding facility to serve Colorado. The Colorado Horse Park welcomes more than 35,000 visitors per year and hosts over 40 competitions annually.  CHP features a derby arena designed by Olympic-designer Linda Allen and a cross-country course designed by Olympic Gold Medalist David O’Connor and eventing super-star James Atkinson. There are 300 permanent stalls with capacity for more than 1,000 stalls.

The picturesque property, located only minutes from the town of Parker, hosts international equestrian events in multiple disciplines. Visitors enjoy the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountain surroundings and access to miles of trails and open space.  The Colorado Horse Park is committed to supporting equestrian education and amateur athletics, preserving open space, fundraising for local charities and supporting the community.

Visit CHP at: http://coloradohorsepark.com/

The Colorado Horse Park Summer in the Rockies Fast Facts

What: Summer in the Rockies AA-Rated Hunter Jumper Show Series

Event Dates:
June 4-8 Summer in the Rockies I
June 11-15 Summer in the Rockies II
June 18-22 Summer in the Rockies III*
July 2-6 Summer in the Rockies IV
July 9-13 Summer in the Rockies V*
July 16-20 Summer in the Rockies VI
*WCHR Member Events

Hunter Highlights:
$5,000 National Hunter Derby – Week III
$15,000 International Hunter Derby sponsored by Winsome Farm – Week III
$10,000 National Hunter Derby – Week V
$40,000 International Hunter Derby sponsored by Serenity Farm – Week V

Jumper Highlights:
$25,000 Summer in the Rockies Grand Prix sponsored by Holiday Inn of Parker Grand Prix – Week I
$25,000 Summer in the Rockies Grand Prix sponsored by Littleton Equine Medical and Platinum Performance – Week II
$30,000 Summer in the Rockies Grand Prix sponsored by McElvain Energy – Week III
$30,000 Summer in the Rockies Grand Prix sponsored by Griffis Residential – Week IV
$50,000 Kathy and Brad Coors Family Grand Prix – Week V
$50,000 Parker Adventist Hospital Grand Prix – Week VI
$10,000 High Junior/Amateur Owner Classic sponsored by The Kathy and Brad Coors Family
$20,000 High Junior/Amateur Owner Classic sponsored by The Kathy and Brad Coors Family

Plus:
$10,000 July Grand Prix Rider Bonus for the Leading Grand Prix Rider sponsored by The Kathy and Brad Coors Family – Weeks IV – VI

Prize List:
Click here for an online version of the prize list.

For a hard copy of the prize list, please e-mailprizelist@cohorsepark.com with your name, address and phone number and specify which prize list you would like (spring/fall or summer).

Entries:
Mail to The Colorado Horse Park, 7522 South Pinery Drive, Parker, CO 80134 or fax to (303) 841-7879. Entries close 30 days before each show.

Contact Information:
Pat Boyle, Show Manager                     (847) 274-6834
Brian Curry, Show Manager                   (303) 918-2908
Colorado Horse Park Main Office           (303) 841-5550
Colorado Horse Park Main Office Fax    (303) 841-7879
Show Office                                             (303) 841-7461
Show Office Fax (during show only)       (303) 841-1419

Show Grounds Address: 7375 E Bayou Gulch Rd, Parker, CO 80134

From North: I-25S exit Ridgegate Parkway – go east under the freeway.  Ridgegate Parkway to S. Chambers Road, approx 3 miles (Traffic light) – turn right/south onto Chambers Road. At end of Chambers Road turn left/east onto Hess Road.  Hess Road to Parker Road/Hwy 83 – turn right/south onto Hwy 83 approx 4 miles to Bayou Gulch Road. (Traffic light). Follow signs to Colorado Horse Park.

From South: I-25N, exit Founder’s Parkway.  Founder’s Parkway to Highway 86, approx 4 miles (traffic light). Turn east/left onto Hwy. 86 to Franktown/Hwy 83. At Franktown go north on 83 approx. 7 mi. to Bayou Gulch Rd. (Traffic light), turn right/east onto Bayou Gulch Rd. Follow signs to Colorado Horse Park.

About the Colorado Horse Park: Celebrating its 21th Anniversary, the Colorado Horse Park was founded by visionary Helen Krieble who acknowledged the need for a high-volume horse show and horse boarding facility to serve Colorado.  The Colorado Horse Park welcomes more than 35,000 visitors per year and hosts over 40 competitions annually.  CHP features a derby arena designed by Olympic-designer Linda Allen and a cross-country course designed by Olympic Gold Medalist David O’Connor and eventing super-star James Atkinson. There are 300 permanent stalls with capacity for more than 1,000 stalls.

The picturesque property, located only minutes from the town of Parker, hosts international equestrian events in multiple disciplines. Visitors enjoy the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountain surroundings and access to miles of trails and open space.  The Colorado Horse Park is committed to supporting equestrian education and amateur athletics, preserving open space, fundraising for local charities and supporting the community.

Visit CHP at: http://coloradohorsepark.com/ 

To access the schedule: http://coloradohorsepark.com/events