BURBANK, CA - Despite its name, the LAEC Winter Show ran under sunny skies, and junior rider Holly Jochum took full advantage of the great weather. “My goal this year was to qualify for the USEF Junior Hunter Finals, but my horse is only six.” Jochum, who rides at Elvenstar - Orange County, was not daunted by her horse’s inexperience as she piloted him to consistent rounds in the Large Junior Hunters. Calimero won two of the over fence classes, and a second and a third clinched the championship and the necessary qualification for the Junior Hunter Finals. “I am very excited,” said Jochum when she realized her dream of competing in the Junior Hunter Finals was now a reality.
Demi Stiegler, who also rides with the Orange County division of Elvenstar is emerging as one of the West Coast’s top young equitation riders. She earned show champion in the 12-13 Equitation division, and then won both the Onondarka and Rosewood medal classes.
Devon Manze is another up and coming young rider. This year she moved from riding a pony to a horse, and made the change without a hitch. On her Dubonnet Z, Manze captured show championships in both the Low Children’s Hunters and Children’s Hunters 13 & Under. Manze also earned the reserve championship in 11 & Under Equitation. Her younger sister, Patricia, earned her own tri-color in the Schooling Pony Hunters on her medium pony, High Heels. Cindy Merritt coaches both girls.
Philip Klipa also coached several of his riders to championships and top honors during the three day USEF “A” rated show. Amateur rider Laura Griffin piloted her gelding, Sowelo to the Adult Amateur Hunter championship for riders 36 & over. A win in the final over fences class clinched the championship for Griffin. Inspired by her hunter success, Griffin decided to try her hand in the competitive adult equitation ring. A second in the Ariat thrilled Griffin and motivated her to try more equitation in the future. “The equitation is really fun,” said Griffin “and it makes me less nervous for my hunter classes.”
In the Children’s Hunters for riders 14-17, sixteen year old Caity Friedman earned reserve champion honors with her lovely mare, Rio’s Tasha. “We just got her last October,” said Friedman, who also rides under Klipa’s tutelage. “She is so pretty and she is fun. I’d like to do the Junior Hunters when we get used to each other.” Friedman also represents her school, Harvard Westlake, at the IEL shows.
Laura Wasserman’s Quality Time earned dual championships for his owner. Trainer Archie Cox rode the Regular Working Hunter championship and then Wasserman took over and earned the Amateur Owner Hunter championship. She has also begun riding in medal classes and a win in the Foxfield wrapped up a winning weekend. “He is so good in the equitation and the hunters,” said Wasserman of her other horse, Jimmy Choo.
“I think the threats of rainy weather kept some people at home,” said Show Secretary Brenda Outwater “but everyone who came seemed to have a good time.” Although there was some rain on Saturday night, the show was not adversely affected and Sunday dawned with clear skies and bright sunshine.
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