Congratulations

Memorial Day Classic
  Exhibitors and spectators alike were treated to excellent competition and fabulous weather at the 2009 Memorial Day Classic.

Gaby Gallops to the Win!
  In front of a sold out crowd at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, veteran rider and new mom Gaby Salick rode Gredo la Daviere to the top spot in the $25,000 Memorial Day Classic Grand Prix. Out of the 30 horse field, twelve horses jumped the Scott Starnes course clean and returned to the grass. Despite having to go early in the jump off, Salick and her mount proved to be the best. The pair finished ahead of Ray Texel and Waldman Doo in second and Nicole Shahinian-Simpson who took home third place honors aboard Toyster Gold.
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Jenny K and Forbes Heading to Kentucky
  Also a crowd pleaser, the ASG Software Solutions USHJA Hunter Derby drew a competitive field of horses with almost forty starting the first round. Watching horses and riders exit the ring and jump back in during the course, an enthusiastic audience cheered the hunters on from both the grandstands and the VIP tables on the LAEC Terrace.  Amongst the VIP were ASG and Charles Owen representatives, who enjoyed top competition and a lovely catered dinner.

  Jenny Karazissis was able to pilot Forbes (Tonia Cook Looker, owner) to a solid first round trip which left the pair sitting fifth going into the Handy Round. The top 20 competitors moved into this round, where bonus points are awarded for handiness.
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Yowee – Maui!
  Another professional happy with her victory was Kasey Ament.  She is headed to Maui in December as the professional member of the winning team in the Memorial Day Equitation Challenge. Larry Langer, President and CEO of Langer Equestrian Group started the Trainer Incentive awards in order to recognize the backbone of this sport.  “Trainers are not recognized enough for their hard work.  I remember taking 30 plus horses on the road,” explained Langer. “They deserve a vacation in Hawaii and some cash awards. ”  The other team members, junior Navona Gallegos and amateur Michelle Morris won cool cruiser beach bikes.
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Riding For Reading Returns in '09

  Fifty-five first through twelfth grade riders earned a total of $10,000 for greater Los Angeles area schools’ libraries in the Riding For Reading Class held last September...
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EquestriSol News

  Welcome to summer! Loads of web site projects are in development, look for launch announcements in upcoming newsletters. Speaking of newsletters, there will be two coming your way in June at the Blenheim shows, so don’t miss out. Consider advertising – announce, promote, congratulate, thank – be a part of the newsletter craze!

  We’re excited to welcome Katie Kotarak to the EquestriSol team. Interning with us for the summer, Katie will be a senior at St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana next semester. Come say hello – she’ll be joining us at many of the upcoming Southern California shows this season.

  We love hearing from you, keep the feedback coming...

Conversations with Course Designers

Watching the Grand Prix with Leopoldo Palacios

  Who better to sit with during the $50,000 Grand Prix of California at Showpark Ranch & Coast Tournament than the course’s illustrious designer? Often named by other designers as a mentor, I was fascinated by the mind behind the man known as Leopoldo Palacios...
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From the Heart

A Silky Start with a Blue Ribbon Finish
Lisa Thorpe follows her passion with OTTB’s in Silks to Show Ring

  I spoke with Lisa Thorpe about her latest venture, Silks to Show Ring Thoroughbred Foundation (SST), at a very fortuitous time. It’s the thick of Triple Crown season where the recent horse racing jewels include a long shot in Kentucky Derby victor Mine That Bird and a new pinup girl in Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra (a top ten Twitter trending topic on race day, in fact). Even though these two speed demons were ridden to thrilling wins and walked off the track unscathed, memories of the tragic Eight Belles and Ruffian accidents still come to mind...
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