October 26th, 2022 – Lexington, KY – Wednesday morning witnessed the kickoff to the 2022 National Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. The Alltech Arena played host to a myriad of adult equitation divisions, sponsored by NHS Vice President Cindi Perez and Anne Bennett.
“One of the things I love about sponsoring these classes is it gives people the opportunity to get in the ring before their finals round,” said Perez, who later presented her longtime friend, Margrethe Monkdale, with a blue ribbon in the 25 + over fences division. “Peggy [Margrethe] and I have known each other since 2006, when I first started showing on the California A circuit. It was so special to give a blue ribbon to somebody I consider to be a great friend – that was amazing.”
In section A of the 18-24 division, Ryan Kenny and High Kaliber, a 7-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by Caroline Moore, took the tri-color as champion. The pair picked up a win and second place in the two over fences rounds. Reserve Champion was awarded to Kelly Doherty and Coubertin, an 11-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding owned by Jaime Sisskind.
In section B of the 18-24 division, Anna Koenig and her 8-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Constantin were named Champion after winning both over fences rounds. Reserve went to Catherine Kramer aboard Audi 2000 Z, a 9-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by North Run & Kadley Farms.
In section A of the 25 and over division, Margrethe Monkdale was named champion with Look At Me, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Round Meadow Farm, LLC, after placing first in the over fences class and third in the flat. Tied for Reserve Champion was Sara Ladley aboard Merci Balou, her 6-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, and Kelsey Leerkes with Betty Braemoore, a 12-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by Armand Chenelle.
In section B of the 25 and over division, Julie Hogan nabbed the final tri-color of the day aboard Ferndale, a 9-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding owned by Avery Jansen, after winning first in the over fences section and second in the flat. Reserve Champion went to Jeanine Cash and Boccaccio, a 14-year-old Rhinelander gelding owned by Colin Cash.
Competition will resume Thursday, October 27th in the Alltech Arena with the Taylor Harris Insurance Services Adult Equitation Championships, beginning at 7:00 AM (EST).
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Ryan Kenny – Adult Equitation 18-24 Section A Champion
On his horse, High Kaliber:
“He felt fantastic. He always goes around and doesn’t look at anything. I’ve been riding him for about three months now. He’s a seven year old, and just perks his ears and keeps going around, even if I make a mistake – he always helps me out.The course rode very nicely for him because he has a huge stride.”
On competing in the equitation as an amateur:
“When you age out, the adult equitation is just as rewarding. I felt just as rewarded as when I did when I was in my junior years.”
On competing at the National Horse Show:
“This is one of my favorite work shows of the year. It’s always the most rewarding to get a ribbon here. I’m extremely excited for [the THIS Adult Equitation Championship] tomorrow.”
Anna Koenig – Adult Equitation 18-24 Section B Champion
On her horse, Constantin:
“My horse was perfect. I’ve been riding him now for I believe three, three and a half years. He followed me through every turn, he basically knew the courses already.”
On the courses:
“The courses were really nice. I enjoyed them all. I think that each of them had certain tests in them to test each rider.”
On competing in the equitation as an amateur:
“To be honest I didn’t do the equitation as a junior, but to know that there’s classes that adults can go in and thrive and learn just like the juniors still do, It’s amazing. [Horse shows] are adding more classes for us and really letting us expand and continue what we love to do.”
Margrethe Monkdale – Adult Equitation 25 and Over Section A Champion
On her horse, Look At Me:
“His name is Lucky, he’s a 10-year-old Oldenburg. I have been riding him for 2 years now in the equitation. I thought he was quite good! He is quite new to the indoor ring, Capital Challenge [Upper Marlboro, MD] was his first time in an indoor so I was pretty pleased with how he went.”
On being at the National Horse Show:
“The last time I showed at the National Horse Show was 1987 so this is pretty exciting. I wanted to do something different this year, I won a couple medal finals in California and qualified for the Ariat [Adult National Medal] and this and wanted to come out and participate!”
On the courses:
“They were really good. They were very kind to start. The five [stride line] wasn’t super forward and it gave us an opportunity in the first round to look at all the jumps. Some lines rode a little more forward but I thought it was really quite fair for today.”
Results:
Adult Amateur Equitation 18-24 O/F Section A:
(Rider / Horse / Owner)
1. Ryan Kenny / High Kaliber / Caroline Moore
2. Kelly Doherty / Coubertin / Jaime Sisskind
3. Elizabeth Nevins / Liandro VZ / Anne Marie Riley
4. Hannah Eddlemon / Juan Colorado / Addison Mae King
5. Natalie Tezsla / Colbrew / Natalie Tezsla
6. Emily Grace Swinson / Don Sandro / Jessica Pye
Adult Amateur Equitation 18-24 O/F Section B:
1. Anna Koenig / Constantin / Anna Koenig
2. Macie Sousa / Mojito Z / Macie Sousa
3. Owen Gajoch / Westeros / Samantha Gajoch
4. Ashley Shaw / Dark ‘N Stormy / Madeline Pike
5. Angela Calicchio / City Walk / Cali Horse Sales, LLC
6. Kaitlyn Parker / Timothy Van Het Lindenhof Z / Kaitlyn Parker
Adult Amateur Equitation 25+ O/F Section A:
1. Margrethe Monkdale / Look At Me / Round Meadow Farm, LLC
2. Jennifer Kemp / Hyperion Du Stiquot / Jennifer Kemp
3. Nancy Buzzetta / Square One / Beacon Hill Show Stables
4. Nora H Zimmett / Odyssey / Nora H Zimmett
5. Melissa Dander / Ippon / Stephanie Ramsey
6. Mary Davis / Georgette Le Bon / Mary Davis
Adult Amateur Equitation 25+ O/F Section B:
1. Julie Hogan / Ferndale /
2. Jeanine Cash / Boccaccio / Colin Cash
3. Sydney Smith / Antidote / Kristi Smith
4. Claire Martinez / Monarch / Nevergreen Farm LLC
5. Larissa Hufnagel / Mr Miller / Diana Conlon
6. Julia Gildea / Tristram 7 / Julia Gildea