Valley Horses
Event gives thoroughbreds a second career
The Genesee Valley Riding and Driving Club Spring Event was the perfect venue for the initiation of a program sponsored by the New York Racing Association, operators of Aqueduct, Saratoga, and Belmont race tracks, and the New York Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association, in conjunction with the Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Incentive Program.
As part of Career2 (Second Career Thoroughbred Program), a series of ten events in New York this year offer prize money to registered thoroughbreds with top-2 placings at Beginner Novice through Advanced levels.
Scores will accumulate throughout the circuit for Thoroughbreds bred “anywhere in the world.” (If foaled in any other world, I guess you’re out of luck – tough to get proper papers, don’t you know.)
Thoroughbred Horsemans’ Association President, Racing Association Board member and Thoroughbred trainer Rick Violette added, “A second career in Eventing is a natural fit for the Thoroughbred. The sport showcases perfectly the versatility, quick mind, athleticism and stamina that are the hallmarks of the breed. Our sponsorship will not only introduce our horsemen to the retraining opportunities available in Eventing, but also reinforce the valuable qualities that the Thoroughbred offers to the Eventing community.”
With four of the ten qualifying events being held in this area, there is no doubt we will be seeing some fine examples of those attributes. The others are the Genesee Valley Hunt Horse Trials on July 7 8, Stuart Horse Trials in Victor July 12–15, and the GVRDC Horse Trials August 25 – 26.
There were 24 entries at this event who qualified to earn points and prizes through the program. Of those, Linda Fuller’s Twist Again with Alexis Brown with a second place in Novice A, and Rock and Roll Roan with Hillary Marshall with a win in Beginner Novice B came away with more than just ribbons.
Although Introductory level entries are not included in the program, I think it worth mentioning that local instructor Susan Kelley competed for the first time in 14 years riding her 9-year-old, Career2 grey Thoroughbred Redford Nibblesworth, who raced as Run Red Run winning over $200,000 before his retirement at age 5. Susan has taken her time with Red, and the results are starting to show as they finished second in their Intro B division on their dressage score.
Last Sunday’s competition enjoyed a showcase setting on the perfectly manicured and maintained grounds at Hank and Laura Minor’s Paduka Run at the corner of Route 39 and Roots Tavern Road. After the dressage and stadium-jumping phases, riders finished up with cross-country over properties owned by Doug and Judy Hart, Stirlin and Beth Harris, and Celeste and Eric Grace. Without the kindness and support of such people, this sport would not be possible.
The weather also cooperated, which along with the hard work and dedication of club members and friends, led to a smoothly-run day.
Nine well-filled divisions had their work cut out for them in the first nationally recognized event of the season in this area. Placings were shuffled around quite a bit from one phase to the next in many divisions, proving that you have to have a full package of skills in order to come out on top.
Winners of the Week
Training/Novice: 1. Honey Locust Rembrandt and Barbara Hyams (Rochester); 2. Native Two Feathers and Sue King (Cambridge); 3. Muskrat and Max Stwertka (Rochester)
Novice A: 1. Ashley Sheddon’s Olivia and Morgan Harper (Granville Summit, PA); 2. Linda Fuller’s Twist Again and Alexis Brown (Gasport); 3. Dr. Bruce Stewart’s Honey Locust Mate and Anne Eilinger (Mendon)
Novice B: 1. Ben Nevis and Carrie Wehle (Scottsville); 2. Anakin GS and Alexis Brown; 3. Monticello WF and Heidi Silsby (Akron)
Novice C: 1. Lena’s Lost Sock and Kim Cuilla (Bloomfield); 2. Judy DelVecchio’s El Niño and Anne Eilinger; 3. Heza Hidden Breeze and Kimberly Blaszak (Corfu)
Beginner Novice A: 1. Anne Mortimer’s Galatea HU and Carrie Wehle; 2. Chick’s Big Apple and Karen Marley (Rochester); 3. Down East and Farley Wagner (Farmington)
Beginner Novice B: 1. Rock and Roll Roan and Hillary Marshall (Clifton Springs); 2. Joseph Backer’s Mystify-N-Amaze Me and Madison Hinman (Randolph); 3. Zanzibar and Fylicia Barr (Allegany)
Beginner Novice C: 1. Stephanie Sixbey’s I Think I Can and Emily Sixbey (Walworth); 2. Jean Donnan’s Anderson and Allison Huyck (Mt. Morris); 3. Spot Not andDave Phillips (Penn Yan)
Introductory A: 1. Ernie and Jennifer Blackburn (Brockport); 2. Simon and Alex Cooke (East Aurora); 3. Sunny and Celena Jo Goodwin (Lima)
Introductory B: 1. Indigo and Carol Kozlowski (Avon); 2. Redford Nibblesworth and Susan Kelley (Geneseo); 3. Celestial Energy and Kristin Browne (Webster)
Coming Up
Saturday, June 16 – Rolelu Show Series: Dressage Show (Introductory through 4th Level plus “eventing” tests), Combined Test (Introductory through Preliminary Levels, dressage and stadium), and Jumping Derby (Introductory through Preliminary level). Weather permitting, cross-country schooling (Introductory through Training Levels) For more information and entry forms go to: www.rolelu.webs.com or contact Chandra Wong at (585) 243-0916 or Rolelu@hotmail.com
Sunday, June 17 – Hunter Pace sponsored by the Genesee Valley Pony Club 8:00 a.m. – noon starting from Oxbow Lane at the west end of South Avon Road at Nations Road.
Here’s a chance to ride with a friend through the fabulous Genesee Valley Hunt country and enjoy beautiful Valley views. Go at your own pace or compete against an unknown “pace time” set to a fair hunting pace.
Riders will follow a well-marked course over natural terrain through woods and open fields. All fences have non-jumping options. Boots with a heel and protective headgear required; tack optional. Riders will be required to sign a release form. Divisions: Junior Hilltopper, Junior Optimum Time, Senior Hilltopper, Senior Optimum Time, and Fast Time. For more information email mthornegvh@gmail.com.
Saturday, June 30 – High Standard Stables Open Horse Show, Dansville, NY. For more information, go to www.highstandardstables.com or contact Amy Becker at (585) 905-9955 or amy@highstandardstables.com
Sunday, July 1 – Firecracker Derby sponsored by the Genesee Valley Riding and Driving Club at Hideaway Farm on Roots Tavern Road, off Route 39 north of Geneseo. Be part of the fun. Introductory through Preliminary divisions over courses of mixed cross-country and stadium jumping fences. Awards for costumes/decorations showing Patriotic Spirit. For more information go the www.gvrdc.org or contact Jim or Farley Wagner at 585-924-1866 or wagnerfarm@frontiernet.net
