Rachel Kuhn and I’ve Been Thinking are Victorious in HJAM Limit Junior Medal Final at Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival
July 26, 2025
Traverse City, MI - July 26, 2025 - The fourth day of competition at the Horse Shows by the Bay Series III at the Flintfields Horse Park featured three Hunter Jumper Association of Michigan (HJAM) Medal Final events in the Grand Prix Ring beginning at 1pm. Rachel Kuhn and I’ve Been Thinking led today’s first victory gallop following their excellent performance during the HJAM Limit Junior Medal Final. The HJAM Adult Medal Final was next, where Lindey Sibel and Imprimis earned the top call and blue ribbon. Laura Pfeiffer and Cassay took home another exciting win during the last event, the HJAM Open Junior Medal Final. The Horse Shows by the Bay Series III will continue through Sunday, July 26, and the Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival will continue with exciting polo and dressage action through August 2.
Today riders competing in the HJAM Medal Final events began by competing over a course designed by Michel Vaillancourt of Aiken, SC. All riders without major faults were then asked to return for the flat phase, and finally the top eight riders were asked to perform a test.
During the test for the HJAM Limit Junior Medal Final and the HJAM Adult Medal Final riders were asked to canter into a line and trot out, canter a two stride line, hand gallop a single oxer, halt, back three steps, and sit the trot back to the line-up. During the HJAM Open Junior Medal Final riders were asked to canter into a line and trot out, halt, counter canter a single vertical, and canter a two-stride combination.
The HJAM Limit Junior Medal Final was the first to take place today in the Grand Prix Ring. Rachel Kuhn and I’ve Been Thinking had an excellent performance during the first round over fences and received the top call during the test. They proceeded to execute each task that the test asked beautifully and earned the blue ribbon.
Aleena Bobich was presented with today’s second place award for her ride aboard Imprimis. Mackenzie Hagen and Caroll Z also excelled during today’s competition and received the third place prize.
Kuhn only began leasing I’ve Been Thinking last week, and was thrilled to earn this victory with him. “I’m excited, and I’m still kind of shaking, but it was a lot of fun,” she smiled. “We were just trying to see how things would go and he was an angel; I really couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
Kuhn admitted that it took a lot of hard work to get to the HJAM Medal Finals at Horse Shows by the Bay and earn today’s blue ribbon. “It took a lot of patience and a lot of practice to get here,” she said. “During the first round I wanted to keep a forward canter to show him off, and take some risks but be smart.”
“During the test I was the most worried about trotting and then getting our canter back,” she explained. “My plan was to just start right from the line-up and build a really good canter there. I set him back really well in the trot line and we were able to step-up and do the hand gallop very well.”
Kuhn has enjoyed having the opportunity to show at the Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival with Cathy Johnson and Meadow View Farm. “I like the atmosphere and the competitiveness at this show,” she noted. “I think everyone just brings their best game to it and that really makes you step up and be a better rider. You can learn a lot just by being here.”
The HJAM Adult Medal Final was the next to compete, and Lindey Sibel and Imprimis took home today’s prize. Kenda Vicary and Real received the second place prize, while Abigail Wujek and Magic Mana earned the third place honors.
Today was the first chance that Sibel had to ride Imprimis and she was excited to have the opportunity. “Pat and Jill Bullard were kind enough to let me ride Imprimis during today’s class,” she explained. “My horse is just a little hunter and we didn’t want to push him and make him do the jumper fences. Imprimis is a five-year-old jumper, but all you have to do is point him straight and he’ll go to the jump; he’s a wonderful horse.”
“My plan for today was to stay composed because his stride is so big that I didn’t want it to take over,” said Sibel. “During the test he was super, he listened to everything I asked him to do and was great.”
The HJAM Open Junior Medal Final was the last event and Laura Pfeiffer and Cassay earned their second big win of the week. Following their victory during yesterday’s Pessoa/USEF Medal, the pair led today’s HJAM Open Junior Medal Final victory gallop. Marissa Monforton and Petit Pierre captured the second place award, while Emily Abbruzzi and Keep It Simple took home the third place prize.
“I’m very happy; my horse was great today,” smiled Pfeiffer following her victory. “During the first course I wanted to go around and show off my equitation and my horse, and then during the test I wanted to make sure I did all the steps right but did it a little different than anyone else.”
Today’s event featured an exhibitor party and a CANTER silent auction fundraiser sponsored by Meijer of Grand Rapids, MI.
Tomorrow the Amateur-Owner Hunter and Adult Amateur Hunter divisions will conclude their second day of competition at the Horse Shows by the Bay Series III. The top competitors will earn Grand Championship awards, and tomorrow will determine the Ovation Leading Amateur-Owner Hunter Rider and Ovation Leading Adult Amateur Hunter Rider awards.
For more information about the 2009 Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival please visit www.horseshowsbythebay.com.
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