Leylan Gleeson on Playboy

MAY 12, 2012 – LEXINGTON, KY – Competition was fierce this afternoon as the Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal commenced in the Stonelea Arena. At the end of the day, it was Leylan Gleeson and Playboy who caught the attention of the judges as they captured the winning prize for their excellent equitation in the Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal. The day saw outstanding hunter rounds as the Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions got underway at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Riders Tracy Scherrif-Muser and John Ingram proved triumphant in their respective divisions, showing their mounts to the top honors.

A cloudless sky welcomed the field of 25 riders as they faced off for the first place prize in the Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal. The course began over a standalone vertical, and riders then proceeded to make a left rollback over a brush fence. A right turn took them over a second natural fence, and then they moved over a white oxer set on the outside. Making a left rollback, they then moved over a vertical and then took a right over a wooden oxer heading toward the far end of the ring. The final set of obstacles was a vertical leading to a one-stride vertical-oxer combination.

Shawn Casady on Nixon - 2nd Place

It was Leylan Gleeson and her mount, Playboy, owned by Stepping Stone Farm of Moreland Hills, OH, who came out on top with the first place ribbon. The duo exhibited a beautiful test, and opted to take a wider turn to the sixth fence upon completing their half-turn. The fluidity of the course demonstrated what the judges were looking for. Shawn Cassady atop Nixon, owned by Pine Hollow Sales LLC of Lakeland, FL, was awarded the second place prize. Naf-Naf, owned by Gabrielle Bausano, Inc. of New York, NY, with Vivian Yowan in the irons took home the third place ribbon, as well as the first place ribbon from the WIHS Hunter Phase. She was followed closely by Spencer Smith aboard Icarus, owned by Ashland Farm of Wellington, FL, who was awarded the fourth place honors.

Spencer Smith on Icarus - 4th Place

Gleeson is a working student for Ken and Emily Smith of Ashland Farms in Wellington, FL. While Playboy was enduring recovery, she worked constantly on riding whatever she could get her hands on. “I haven’t done a lot of the equitation this year, but I am hoping to qualify for all of the Finals since this is my last year.”

“I thought the course was definitely perfect for an equitation class,” Gleeson described. “It was very serpentine-like, and the test was what should be expected of a Medal. I am so happy that my horse is returning to himself again, and hopefully we will be able to make it all the way.”

Spencer Smith - WEF 2012

MAY 8, 2012 – WELLINGTON, FL – For fifteen year old equestrian, Spencer Smith, riding has always been a big part of his life. Growing up in Wellington, Florida, Smith has developed into a well rounded show jumper that juggles a busy training schedule along with a full timetable at Wellington Christian. The month of April was an eventful month for Smith, with a win at the WEF Junior Classic aboard Skara Glen’s Voltan H, as well as a double clear round at the Open Stake, taking 8th place honors from a field of over 40 riders.

Smith has been fortunate to have had the opportunity to grow up in a show jumping family where he has been able to develop his skills under the tutelage of both his parents, Ken and Emily – each notable trainers within the equestrian world. Their influence on their son started at a very early age and each lend specific inputs into the preparation that goes into every trip in the competition ring.

Smith relayed the differences between each of his parents’ approaches: “Both of my parents are very competitive by nature, my dad works a lot on developing my riding position and is very focused on maintaining a calm approach on the horse. My mom is a fantastic motivator that is great at getting me mentally prepared to enter the ring and keep me set on what I need to do to win.”

The one-two tandem approach to Smith’s riding has paid dividends over the past year. As a fourteen year old, Smith competed last year in his first Grand Prix in Lexington, Kentucky, and has high aspirations of competing in at least a couple more during the summer of 2012. Smith added, “Voltan H is an exceptional horse, and we have been building on a great rapport in the show ring this season, I really think we have a shot at competing in a couple of Grand Prix events this season, particularly when we show in Cleveland during the summer. I would also like to build up some more experience at the higher levels with another horse I’m excited about, an 11 year old Zangersheide mare named Charme Z.”

The pressure will be elevated this summer, as the young rider will compete towards qualifying for the Maclay Zone IV Regionals, a demanding series that attracts the top junior riders from the sport. Smith will begin his qualification pursuit at the end of May at the Devon Horse Show, which takes place in Pennsylvania. Smith will face off this season against some of his fellow riders, Caroline Spogli, Leylan Gleeson and Shawn Casady – all riders that train with his parents at Ashland Farms. On the friendly rivalry, Smith remarked, “we have all been riding together now for the last few years and all get along as friends, but when it comes to getting in the ring – we all want to compete at the highest level we can.”

During the spring season, Smith has added a new influence to his riding development, with the addition of trainer Andres Rodriguez. “I find that Andres and I share similar frame types, and I’ve learned a lot from him over the last few months. Sometimes it’s easier to receive instruction from an additional point of view and Andres has been a huge help in getting me prepped to compete this year.”

The team at Ashland Farms will soon embark on the spring and summer tour across the East Coast, with stops in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York. With a strong team of supporters and a pair of athletic horses, Smith is optimistic about his chances to meet and exceed some of the goals he has set for himself in 2012.

Georgia Spogli

Over the course of the past few months, Ashland’s riders have competed in the WEF series, in Wellington, and we are pleased to announce our list of Season Final Champions, Reserve Champions and Finalists for 2012. Congratulations to all our riders on your outstanding achievements.

The evening’s class was held in three rounds with thirty-four riders competing in round one, the top 13 coming back for round two, and the top four returning for the third and final round. The course walk and schooling were the sole responsibility of the riders. Competitors were allowed no contact with their trainers during the class and were responsible for time management, warm up, and schooling of their own horses with the assistance of one groom.

The course was designed by Richard Jeffery, of Bournemouth, England, in conjunction with the judges. The riders were judged by two panels and also received a score in the schooling area after the first and second rounds. Judging Panel 1 included George Morris and Kirsten Coe; Panel 2 included McLain Ward and Kent Farrington.

Out of the 34 young riders that competed in the Equitation Championships, Ashland Farms’ Shawn Casady had a strong showing, finishing just outside the final four with a 6th place finish.

Andre Mershad, Wellington, FL

The horse and rider combination have been having great success since then and the young rider has aspirations of moving on to the low juniors level this spring with the ultimate goal of competing in his first Grand Prix before he goes off to college.

Mershad’s long term objectives are being guided by industry professionals, Ken and Emily Smith, who operate Ashland Farms, a farm located just minutes away from tournament venue. Both Mershad and his older siblings have grown up riding with the Smiths and have progressed along very quickly, particularly in the last couple of years.

For 12 year old equestrian show jumper Andre Mershad, balancing a busy sports schedule while keeping up with his studies can be no easy task. Spending up to 30 weeks per year on the road competing can take its toll, but luckily for Mershad, there are on site-tutoring services available that he takes advantage of, while attending the winter show season in Wellington, Florida.

Mershad added, “Having tutors available (for the young riders who are away from home) is a huge help to me. They communicate with my school back at home and make sure that I’m on track with the rest of my classmates – they are a big help!”

The added pressures of competing away from home nearly every weekend, never really get to the cheerful rider, who tries to unwind after his training and schoolwork with a quick trip to the beach whenever he gets the chance.

Mershad is setting his sights on competing this summer at major competitions in both Lexington and Lake Placid.

Shawn Casady

Casady competes in the East Conference Junior division of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series aboard Zubantos. The month of February was a success for Casady and his riding partner, as they earned 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 11th place finishes during the fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth weeks at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, earning 260 points.

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series honors one rider each month as the Rider of the Month. The honor goes to the one rider who earns the most points on one horse in Series competition that month.
“We would like to congratulate Shawn Casady on being our Rider of the Month for February,” said George Morris, President of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. “Shawn has shown great ability during competitions at WEF and we look forward to seeing more successes in the future from this talented junior.”

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series saw competition at 8 events during the month of February, and will see classes at more than 100 horse shows before the Series culminates in the Year-End Championships at the Alltech National Horse Show in November.

The Series hosts separate divisions for junior and amateur-owner riders in two Conferences—the East Conference and the West Conference. Series standings are used to help determine junior and amateur-owner entries for the Alltech National Horse Show.

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame conducts the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series, held under Grand Prix rules and specifications. The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series is designed to give amateur-owner and junior riders an opportunity to compete at higher levels and serves as a proving ground for many riders who aspire to someday represent the United States in international competition.

Any horse show offering a class that meets all the criteria set forth in the 2012 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series specifications and has prize money of at least $1,000 is eligible to be part of the Series.

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame was organized to promote the sport of show jumping and to immortalize the legends of the men, women and horses who have made great contributions to the sport. The Show Jumping Hall of Fame is located at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Plaques honoring those who have been honored with induction into the Hall of Fame can be seen at the Horse Park’s Rolex Stadium. Mementos and artifacts from the sport’s history are on display as part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame collection at the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Wheeler Museum at the Horse Park.

Sponsorship opportunities for the 2012 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series are currently available. For more information, please contact Jonathan Bauman at Jonathan@classic-communications.com or call 508-698-6810 extension 12.

For more information about the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, including Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series, please visit the Show Jumping Hall of Fame website at www.showjumpinghalloffame.net

AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: Classic Communications
Image Credit: Victoria Clermont

Shawn Casady & Zubantos - Photo by Sportfot

The SSG Riding Gloves bonus money had been building in the weekly $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classic, increasing by $1,000 each week that it went unclaimed. Casady, who has been wearing SSG ‘Digitals’ each week, finally laid claim to victory after defeating Lydia Ulrich and Santos Utopia in a two-horse jump-off. His winning mount was Zubantos, a horse owned by Elm Rock that he began riding earlier this season.

“I love the idea,” said Casady of the SSG ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion. “It’s especially nice for the people who have to pay their own way.”

As for what the 17-year-old from Midtown, Tennessee, plans to do with $4,000 in bonus money, Casady answered, “I’ll put it in the bank. I’m a pretty big saver.”

After a moment of hesitation, he reconsidered. “But it also looks like I could have some fun with it!”

Exerpt from Jennifer Ward – Starting Gate Communications

Team Spogli win Great Charity Challenge 2012

Engle, Caroline Spogli and Gabby Stern finished the three-part course in 90.32 seconds for the win in the third annual FTI Great Charity Challenge at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Nearly $1.1 million in prize money was distributed to 32 nonprofits with Palm Beach County ties.

Engle’s team, sponsored by the Spogli family and Graffito South, bested the second-place team of Venezuelan Olympian Pablo Barrios and amateurs Emmanuel Andrade and Carolina Mirabal, representing Place of Hope. Barrios’ team — which took first place last year — finished in 91.78 seconds, giving Place of Hope $125,000.

Brianne Goutal led the third-place team of Chase Boggio and Megan McPherson (92.55 seconds), winning $100,000 for Gulfstream Goodwill.

Each of the 32 charities received prize money, with the last three places receiving $10,000 each.

Engle won the inaugural Charity Challenge in 2010, representing Liliane Stransky’s Step by Step Foundation. Spogli rode in last year’s competition; but for Stern, this was her first time.

“I was worried my horse was going to be wild, because he was wild in the schooling ring, but he was perfect,” Stern said.

Spogli, who rode the second leg of the Anthony D’Ambrosio-designed course, took off exactly as Stern landed from the first leg.

“My horse was so amazing and so fast, and he really wanted to win tonight,” Spogli said.

Spogli trains with Ken and Emily Smith, and Stern trains with Engle. Both said it was “an honor” to compete with Engle, who has 197 major grand prix wins to her name.

Engle, who is known for her go-for-broke jumpoffs, anchored the team with a lightning-fast round, galloping through the timers to a screaming, cheering crowd.

“It’s always nice to do things for charity,” Engle said. “I think it’s a great thing that they’re doing here. It’s bringing a lot of recognition to all the different charities in the area, and it’s good for the kids to compete for something other than money for themselves and to do things for charity. I had good teammates. They made my job easy. I watched them go and knew they were very fast, so I knew I’d better take a shot or I was in trouble …. They were both fantastic.”

Donna Baxter, one of the representatives for the Wellington PTO/PTA, said the $150,000 will be divided among 12 public elementary, middle and high schools in Wellington, giving $12,500 to each. Baxter is co-chairwoman of Project Graduation at Wellington High School and also is student activities director at Palm Beach Central High School.

“This is a unique charity in that the schools are all beneficiaries of this,” Baxter said. “We were thrilled to think that last place we would get an $800 cut [each]. That’s found money. We work very hard to fund-raise for $800. So for us, we were thrilled to be here to accept that. It is beyond comprehension that we were able to win this money.”

By MICHELE DARGAN
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

“I really want to thank everyone connected with Elm Rock Partners, LLC,” noted Engle. “It’s a great opportunity for me and he’s a lot of quality for sure. I’m hoping that I will be half as successful at Ljubov has already been with him. She didn’t really want to sell him to begin with, so I want to thank her for letting us buy him. I’ve only ridden him a couple of times, but he’s got a great attitude and he’s very scopey; he’s very nice to ride.”

Engle and Royce will compete for Elm Rock Partners LLC beginning in January at the prestigious Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.

Photo Credit: Elm Rock Partners LLC has purchased Royce from Ljubov Kochetova. Photo By: Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports.com.