BURBANK, CA - Samantha Harrison came to the 2006 Rosewood Medal Finals, held September 2-3 during Gold Coast 6, hoping to have fun and ride well. Harrison concluded by not only riding well, but winning the overall championship. “I wanted to just come to have fun and to try my best,” said Harrison with a grin.
Harrison and Olivia Esse traded the lead throughout the two round competition held over two nights. Esse won the first round and Harrison finished a close third. Harrison returned the second night and earned a pair of 85s from the two judges, and the lead. “The scores made me really happy. I was excited when I heard the announcer say my scores.” Harrison went into the work off in the lead, followed by Esse. Allison Van Sickle was in third and Stephanie Green returned in fourth.
“I did the best I could,” said Harrison. “My trainer and a friend both gave me some advice before the work off. They told me to have fun and to think. I knew I had to be smart.” When Green went off course in the work off, Harrison was momentarily nervous, but she remembered the advice she had received – to think – and she reviewed her plan. She executed a smooth, accurate test and held the lead she had worked so hard for.
As the awards were presented from 10th to 1st, Harrison was more nervous than she had been while riding. “I knew I had done the best I could, and I felt all this pressure. Oh my gosh I was so nervous.” When Esse was called from the line as the reserve champion, all of Harrison’s tension vanished and she was overwhelmed by her first major victory.
Harrison rides with Karen Healey Stables, and Melissa Jones and Kacey Ament were on hand to coach. Ament won the Rosewood Finals in 1999, and in 1983 Meredith Micheals (nee Beerbaum) led the victory gallop under the tutelage of Karen Healey Stables. For Jones the victory was especially sweet since earlier that day Michaels-Beerbaum had earned the gold medal at the World Equestrian Games, 23 years after her Rosewood win, and Harrison capped a successful day by earning the 2006 Rosewood championship.
In addition to equitation, Harrison is also trying her hand at jumpers. “Riding in the jumpers is so much fun,” explained Harrison. “I have to think faster and be snappy. Jumpers helps me with my steering.” That should be good news to her father, Johnny, because in a little over a year Harrison will be applying for her driving learner’s permit. He also manages Lexus of Glendale.
This fall Harrison will make her first trip to the east. “I am going to show at Capital Challenge. I am really excited about it.” Los Angeles Horse Shows Association, which administers the Rosewood Finals, has a history of producing top riders who go on to great success nationally and internationally. Langer Equestrian Group hosts the various LAHSA medal finals.
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