BRAVE HORSE WEEK III 2017
Brave Horse Week III Reaches Capacity
Brave Horse began Week III of its show series at maximum capacity, drawing exhibitors from Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania and throughout Ohio. With the ongoing buildout of the new show park, trainers and exhibitors continue to comment on the beauty of the showgrounds as well as the quality of the footing in the rings. When the deluge of summer rains came on Friday the show proceeded thanks to the enhanced drainage infrastructure and superior footing. The Hunter Derby, won by Crescendo ridden by Diana Conlon and owned by Meredith Frank, took place as planned with competitors and trainers alike commenting on how excellent the footing was even after 3 inches of rain fell throughout the day.
Crescendo, ridden by Diana Conlon, was the Derby winner for Brave Horse week III. Image provided by Winslow Photography.
“Advancing the U.S. Hunter Jumper disciplines requires offering a show experience that accommodates the needs of everyone from the young pony rider to Olympic level competitors,” said Mikhale Belisle, chief operating officer of Brave Horse. “The investment in Brave Horse, particularly the Footing First LLC footing, illustrates that we are serious about presenting an incomparable experience.”
When asked about the origins of the Brave Horse name, show grounds owner and developer Matt Harris said, “The name Brave Horse was selected in tribute to the unique disposition that elevates any horse to show horse. Time and again, my team and I heard riders refer to their mounts as ‘brave,’ and we knew that if the horse is brave, braver still is the rider with him. We felt that ‘Brave Horse’ was truly a song of praise to riders and horses alike.”
Image provided by Jason Brentlinger.
Image provided by Winslow Photography.
Exhibitors were rewarded with perfect Ohio summer days on Saturday and Sunday, with blue skies, a light wind and a packed schedule of classes in the jumper, hunter and equitation divisions over both days. In between classes riders were able to browse the apparel and equipment vendors including Equus Now!, EQslusives, CWD Sellier and Bridle Plates Engravers as well as order photos from Winslow Photography and smoothies from High Horizons. Truluck Boutique had an incredible accessories and jewelry pop up shop in the Show Office area and Bella Beads stamped custom jewelry in the Equus Now! rig.
Bella Vista Equine Veterinary Services sponsored the Exhibitor Party on Saturday evening, which was well attended and appreciated after a full day of showing.
Opportunity Limit Rider Hunter image provided by Hinson Ltd Public Relations.
The hunter rings were hopping throughout the weekend, particularly the intermediate Adult and Children’s Hunters as well as the Children’s Pony Hunter. In the Children’s Division, Mia Patchet rode her own Social Graces to the Champion Honors, Meredith Frank took the tri color on her own Crescendo and Score was piloted by Jacob Harris to top honors in Children’s Pony Hunter.
In the largest jumper division of the weekend, Novice Childrens/Adult Jumper, Adelaide Arthur rode Nancy Winfield’s Primetime to the Championship.
Brave Horse IV takes place July 20-23. Trainers and competitors are encouraged to submit stall requests and entries early due to high demand.
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.