BRAVE HORSE WEEK II 2017
Emerging Young Riders Draw Crowds for Brave Horse Week II
Brave Horse wrapped a very successful first regional competition June 1-4 in week II of its inaugural nine week season. As the landscaping and green spaces continue to mature the showgrounds is growing even more beautiful. The picturesque Blackburn Architects -designed show office has become a destination for not only conducting show business but also for socializing in between classes, grabbing a quick drink from High Horizons, ordering show photos or exploring the unique pop up shops offering accessories and jewelry, equipment and more.
The Brave Horse Show Series offers a full program of classes in the hunter, jumper and equitation divisions including USHJA Hunter Derby and national medal classes. Brave Horse will also host the prestigious Split Rock Jumping Tour for two full weeks this coming Fall (September 27-October 1 and October 4-8) immediately following The New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix & Family Day that takes place at the Wexner home nearby in New Albany on September 24. With three full weeks of show jumping presented at the highest level in greater Columbus, Brave Horse expects to draw spectators from throughout the midwest. More information can be found at Split Rock Jumping Tour.
The Blackburn Architects-designed Brave Horse Show Office
The weather was even more cooperative for week II, making it a pleasant weekend for the many spectators who turned out for the packed classes of this regional competition. Divisions typically filled with younger riders were quite busy with parents and grandparents lining the rail to encourage the competitors. In a sizable division of Opportunity Crossrails All Ages, Empress Valley Farms rider Ainsley Russell took the tri color ribbon aboard Chantilly Blue.
Ainsley Russell and Chantilly Blue
Foxtail Farm rider Sophia Miller was champion of Walk Trot All Ages aboard Whoop Di Do, taking first or second place in all Ground Poles Classes as well as the Flat.
Sophia Miller and Whoop Di Do
The USHJA National Hunter Derby winner from week I, Caesar Augustus, came out on top again in week II. Caesar Augustus is owned by by Anneliese Kolaska and was ridden to the win by Willow Way’s Michaella Gerlacher.
The Low Thoroughbred Hunter division was very competitive with Jenna Rieder’s Stearman emerging as Champion.
Stearman, owned by Jenna Rieder and ridden by Michaella Gerlacher
Highlights in the jumper ring include Meg McTiver of central Ohio piloting her own Pink Magic to top honors in the .80m division with Olivia Saldivar of Fort Wayne, Indiana aboard Kirsten Saldivar’s Summer Lovin taking the .90m division.
Brave Horse III will be held June 21-25 and Brave Horse IV takes place July 19-23. Trainers and competitors are encouraged to submit stall requests and entries early due to high demand.
All images provided by Winslow Photography.