Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, CA offered its first USEA Classic Series Event this weekend, in which west coast riders set out to win a plethora of prizes in the Novice and Training Three-Day divisions.
After the dressage portion of competition, Whitney Tucker and her own 9-year-old Thoroughbred Gelding Chavez Ravine scored a 31.4 to lead the Training Three-Day division. Tucker was very pleased with the performance her off-the-track Thoroughbred put forth saying, “Chavez is relatively new to eventing having raced till age 7, followed by some time in the show jumping ring. I was very happy he stayed so relaxed and rideable throughout his test, especially with dressage still being fairly new to him.”
Whitney who also sits fourth in the division aboard Jerri Amwerman’s Tiz When, has done several Training Three-Day Classic Series events with various horses remarking that, “steeplechase and the elements of the full phase can greatly help the education of young or less experienced horses. I look forward to riding both these great horses tomorrow, and am impressed by the tremendous efforts put forth by the Baxter Family to make this event possible.”
In the Novice Three-Day, 12-year-old Mallory Hogan stole the show on Kristin Hogan’s Moonlit Dancer. The 13.2 hand 14-year-old gelding scored a 30.7 to sit on top after day one, edging out Jennifer Wooten and Anika who sit less than two points behind in second.
Mallory was very happy with her pony, but a bit surprised at her score saying, “I thought it was really good but didn’t know it would score that well, I was very excited.”
Heading into day two of competition, Hogan and her fellow competitors will have a chance to experience roads and tracks, steeplechase, and the 10-minute box in addition to their cross country. “I can’t wait to do the 10-minute box and steeplechase,” said Mallory. “I have helped my older sister in the vet box before as well as riders from my barn, and am really looking forward to experiencing all the different parts of the quarter star.” Riders in both divisions were taken for a tour of roads and tracks as well as given an opportunity to school steeplechase Thursday prior to the start of competition. Day two of the SmartPak Equine USEA Classic Series is set to begin at Twin Rivers Saturday at 3:40pm PST.
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