Valley horses

Pumpkin Derby proof folks aren’t ready for season to end

The Genesee Valley Riding and Driving Club has certainly found a winner with its derby competitions – the Firecracker Derby around July 4, and the Pumpkin Derby in the fall.

The combination of both cross-country obstacles such as water, drops, and ditches, and stadium-type jumps makes for a unique challenge that riders have embraced as a worthy way to prepare their horses for the big wide world.

This truth was confirmed by the fact that entries were so heavy for last Sunday’s event that rides were scheduled from 8:30 a.m. until almost 6 p.m., although the onset of mid-afternoon rain dampened people’s enthusiasm sufficiently that the Training division was cancelled.

This time the derby was held at Hank and Laura Minor’s Paduka Run on the beautifully manicured grounds at the corner of Route 39 and Roots Tavern Road, which added a new flavor and fresh excitement for those who were accustomed to the equally wonderful in its own way Hideaway Farm venue next door.

I don’t know about you, but when the information is available, I enjoy seeing where riders are from. I think it adds a perspective to how widely known the GVRDC and the Valley are for offering quality competitions, even the unrecognized ones such as this.

Results

Introductory Horse: 1. Sunny and Celena Goodwin (Lima); 2. Destiny and Allie Burnell (Churchville); 3. Chloe and Lauren Berner (Lancaster)

Introductory Rider: 1. Jeremy and Lily Frechette (Walworth); 2. Destiny and Jill Freel (Spencerport); 3. Paris Starz and Lauryn Watkins (Roaring Branch, PA)

Open Introductory: 1. Hawk and Toby Evans (Canandaigua); 2. Sunny and Celena Goodwyn (Lima); 3. Rio Dinero and Barb Havill

Beginner Novice A – Horse: 1. Indigo and Carol Kozlowski (Avon); 2. Lookover Erin and Carol Kozlowski; 3. (tie) Star Witness with Lisa Nadeau (Lyons) and Hotrod with Sarah Miller (Forestville)

Beginner Novice A – Rider:

1. Josh and Max Stwertka (Rochester); 2. Flight of Fancy and Christine Pallini (Penfield); 3. Bailey and Courtney Woodward (Troy, PA)

Beginner Novice A – Open: 1. Star Witness and Lisa Nadeau; 2. Blue and Victoria Markert (Rochester): 3. Razzle Dazzle and Sue Epstein (Sodus)

Beginner Novice B – Horse:

1. Indigo and Carol Kozlowski; 2. Flight of Fancy and Christine Pallini (Palmyra); 3. Josh and Max Stwertka

Beginner Novice B – Rider:

1. Ocalas Dancer and Daniele Moyer (East Aurora); 2. You No Jack and Jenna Roller (Alden); 3. Check The Numbers and Catherine Miner (Dansville)

Beginner Novice B – Open:

1. Severance Package and Kim Crane (Rochester); 2. Check The Numbers and Catherine Miner (Geneseo); 3. Pastime and Julie Dettman (Honeoye Falls)

Novice Horse: 1. Olivia and Morgan Harper (Summit, PA); 2. Moranda and Hannah Berger (Scottsville)

Novice Rider: 1. April Love and Chloe Celani (Hamburg); 2. Pastime and Julie Dettman

Open Novice: 1. Olivia and Morgan Harper; 2. Honey Locust Rembrandt and Barbara Hyams (Rochester); 3. In The Nick Of Time and Deborah Burger (Canandaigua)

Spirit Awards

Intro: Bree with Rilee Delaney (Farmington), Ataktos with Ajia Cherry (Fairport), and Bailey with Courtney Woodward (Troy, PA)

Beginner Novice: Hotrod with Sarah Miller and Ory with Alexia Woodruff (Livonia)

Novice: Honey Locust Rembrandt and Barbara Hyams

Weis to compete in Pennsylvania

Emily Unger Weis and Dark Roast are on their way to the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg

Some of you may recall Emily’s successes in the show ring during her high school and college years. Then there came a period where her time and talents were consumed more by such things as med school, marriage, and motherhood.

Still, she has never let herself get too far from her first love – horses. Then a very special dark bay gelding came into her life through her connection with long-time mentor/coach Nancy Kelly of Hickory Hill Farm in Geneseo. In partnership with Kelly, the two acquired Dr. Celeste Boatwright’s hunter who was much more at home in the show ring than the hunt field.

The handsome 16 hand gelding has definitely found his niche under Weis and Kelly’s tutelage. “Collie,” as he is called in the barn, and Weis have qualified to take part in both the North American League Adult Hunter Finals, for which only the top 25 points earners of the year are invited, and the Zone 2 Adult Amateur Hunter Finals (18 – 35 year old rider division), which only takes the top 15 points earners. Zone 2 is comprised of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

What makes this accomplishment even more remarkable is that the pair took part in less than half of the qualifying shows throughout the year.

In keeping with their philosophy of not overtaxing the horse or their not-unlimited resources of time and finances, the trio is electing to take part in the Zone 2 final and forego the North American League one, as they are days apart and would make for a long week.

Please join me in applauding their values and wishing them the best of luck on October 21 at the show.

Winners of the Week

Jack Walnes of Avon won the Training Rider division at the Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training event at the New Jersey Horse Park this last weekend. Standing in third place after dressage, they had one rail down in stadium, but went double clear on the cross-country.

According to Jack, “both stadium and cross country were challenging enough to let us move up!” He went on to add, “Gentry and I are learning how to jump the higher jumps at speed, and he has such scope as to be able to bail us out of a difficult spot!

This was their last event of a very exciting year as they moved up to Training level, and won the Thoroughbred Incentive Program Career2 award at Novice level based on points earned at qualifying competitions earlier in the year. What a great way to finish up a successful season.

Coming Up

Saturday, October 13 – I heard it again just yesterday: When is the Hunt? Well this is it folks, if what you were waiting for is the Genesee Valley Hunt Race Meet. If you’ve been there before, come again; it keeps getting better, no matter what the weather. If you’ve never been, you need to get there.

New this year is a demonstration by Emma Minteer of her Extreme Mustang Makeover.

There is a wealth of specifics online at www.geneseevalleyhunt/race.htm or on Facebook, not to mention posters all over the county, ads in the media, etc.

See you there!