Natascha Gates and Quickie (Sportfot)

Parker, Colo. - Colorado local and German native, Natascha Gates of Elizabeth, CO, and Quickie soared to a win in the $40,000 Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Super 8 Grand Prix presented by Trapper's Chop House on Saturday, June 18, at The Colorado Horse Park (CHP), during week two of the Summer in the Rockies Series (SIR).

Quickie lived up to his name, showcasing his speed in the biggest class of the week, and finished the short course in 41.25 seconds. Armando Hassey of Parker, CO, guided S&L Zeppelin to second place, collecting four faults and completing the jump-off with a time of 37.92 seconds, while Mark Martens of the Netherlands piloted Indoktro K Van't Kattenheye to third place with a time of 38.58 seconds and four faults. Competition at CHP continues on Wednesday, June 22, with the start of the Summer in the Rockies III featuring the $50,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix on Saturday, June 25.

Gates entered the class with the simple goal of riding a clear round. Quickie, a 2006 Oldenburg gelding (Quality x Shira) has been under the guidance of Gates for almost his entire career, as she purchased the gelding as a foal, and then imported him to the United States as a three-year-old.

"I honestly just wanted to ride a clear round. I thought to myself, there are only five in the jump-off and the worst that can happen is finishing in fifth," said Gates. "That was my strategy. I just wanted to stay clean and accurate."

Quickie showcased his continued progress to Gates on Saturday evening, finishing a competitive clear effort in the first round to move the pair forward to the jump-off round, which featured five combinations including last week's winners Armando Hassey and S&L Zeppelin.

"I bought him when he was three weeks old and I had ridden his mother in Europe. I imported him when he was three and started him under saddle," she commented. "He's ten now and to see and experience the whole process from when he was started to now makes me very happy." 

Quickie and Gates will return to compete next week at CHP before taking a few relaxing weeks off in anticipation of contesting the two biggest weeks of the Summer in the Rockies Series, week six and week seven.

"We have three more weeks here and then he will get two off before the bigger weeks six and seven at the end of July. If I stay healthy and my horse stays healthy that will be the plan," she added.

Courtney Frederick and Soulshine Take $20,000 Open Welcome Stake presented by Littleton Equine Medical Center at SIR II

Courtney Frederick of Longmont, CO, and her mount, Soulshine, took home the blue ribbon on Thursday, June 16, in the $20,000 Open Welcome Stake presented by Littleton Equine Medical Center. The duo rode to a double clear effort, taking the win with a time of 40.22 seconds in the jump-off round. Bjorn Ikast of Parker, CO, and Candy Man placed second with a time of 40.48 seconds, while Karen Cudmore of Ohama, NE, and Super Bad rounded out the top three, finishing the jump-off in 41.72 seconds.

Frederick and Soulshine, a 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Equestrian Investments, LLC, have been partners for six years. The duo also captured a sixth-place finish in the $40,000 Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, & Suites, Super 8 Grand Prix presented by Trapper's Chop House during SIR II. With their top performances throughout the week, it is clear that the duo has risen to the top of their game.

While explaining her relationship with Soulshine, Frederick said, "I owe it all to him. I'm so lucky to have him and that he is my grand prix horse. I started him in his first very jumper show in the 3' jumpers."

"He's like my pet. He goes out there and tries his heart out every time," added Frederick. The key to the pair's success in the $20,000 Open Welcome presented by Littleton Equine Medical Center was their commitment to maintain speed.

"We were strategizing for the jump off and everyone I talked with everyone and just decided to go for it," she explained. "I knew the worst we could finish was sixth."

Originally from Oklahoma, Frederick, who now resides in Colorado, recalled her first show at the facility when she was just 13 years old.

"The first time I came to a horse show here it was a big deal. I was 13 at the time and doing the Children's Jumpers and this year I'm turning 30," commented Frederick.

"I'm happy to have The Colorado Horse Park in the process of becoming the best it can be. I remember showing up here when I was younger and I was just wowed," she elaborated. "I think it's just amazing and now it's going to be even better, so I'm thrilled."

Soulshine and Frederick are longtime clients of the Littleton Equine Medical Center and Frederick was elated to capture the win in their sponsored class of the week at CHP.

"I basically owe everything to Littleton Equine Medical Center and Dr. Beeman. He has really helped me over the last couple years keeping Soulshine in the best shape possible. He's kept a close eye on the care and maintenance to make him be able to jump his best," noted Frederick. "I feel like this year is even better than last year and the year before. I'm very excited to have won this class because he's sort of famous over there at Littleton."

Tali DeJong and Spero Earn First Place Finish in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Presented by Front Range Kubota

Tali DeJong of Golden, CO, and Spero paved their way to victory in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by Front Range Kubota on Sunday, June 19, at The Colorado Horse Park (CHP). The pair earned a total score of 340 from the judging panel to seal the win. Abigail Albrecht of Austin, TX, piloted MTM Nameworthy to a two round score of 335 for a close second place finish, while Lalique, piloted by Brooke Cudmore of Omaha NE, earned a score of 319 to receive third place honors.

The $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by Front Range Kubota was the first major hunter derby of the season at CHP while the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby will be hosted on Sunday, July 3, during SIR IV.

DeJong and and her own Spero earned a first round score of 160, which placed them well into the top twelve pairs who would return for the handy round. Albrecht and MTM Nameworthy earned the highest first round score, receiving a 170, to enter the second round in the lead, before DeJong and Spero finished a spectacular trip around the handy course, which would ultimately push them to victory.

The pair have been traveling to CHP from nearby Golden, CO, for the past five years and the venue has become a natural home for summer competition. DeJong was overjoyed with the performance of Spero, stating, "I was not expecting to win it whatsoever. I have to say, I was expecting to get around the course and was just hoping to just have a smooth ride. The footing here is amazing and it's just an incredible place to ride."

DeJong admitted that she was caught slightly off guard by the size of the fences on course, but the pair adapted quickly and demonstrated their tenacity and poise to the crowd. Spero has been partnered with DeJong for the past two years and has proved that he excels in hunter derby competition, as he did this past Sunday.

Describing her plan in the second round, DeJong laughed, as she reminisced on her final thoughts. She detailed, "All I could think about was how to not chip the last fence. All of the jumps were huge, but he's just an amazing horse."

"I've had him for about two years now. He was a jumper before we bought him and originally he was going to be my equitation horse. Derbies are his true love. He has such a great time going around these courses. He's just so agile and is very sweet," she added.

Jumper Highlights

Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, AL, and Manchester, owned by Loretta Patterson, topped the $15,000 Jumper Derby at CHP, while Kennedy Eaton of Monument, CO, and her own København's Noble Charm placed in second. Shepherd also piloted Rocketman owned by Loretta Patterson to third place, notching another top place finish throughout the SIR II competition week.

Ada Neumann and Catriel Z, owned by Hillary Gromus, earned top honors in the $4,000 NAL/WIHS Child Classic, besting a class of 10 entries for the win with a time of 45.107 seconds. Debbie Weigers of Evergreen, CO, and her own Little Lucia finished in second place, just behind Neumann, crossing through the timers in 45.238 seconds. Amanda Roche of Austin, TX, and Little Love, owned by Rose Hill Farm, collected third place, finishing the class with four fault and a time of 39.435 seconds.

The $4,000 NAL/WIHS Adult Classic saw Carol Tucker of Elizabeth, CO, and her own Cha Cha Cha take the blue ribbon, finishing the jump-off round with a time of 38.658 seconds. Brittany Stewart of Littleton, CO, and her own Picobello collected second place with a time of 40.821 seconds, while Kristina Matthews of Denver, CO, and her own Neolisto van het Mierenhof rounded out the top three, stopping the clock in 40.879 seconds.

Paige Coles of Golden, CO, and her own Springfield Hill finished atop the $4,000 Modified Junior/Amateur Owner Classic, dashing through the timers in 39.106 seconds. Andrea Hassey of Parker, CO, and her own Sandra, earned second place with a time of 43.176 seconds, while Shala McConnell of Elizabeth, CO, and her own Southern Eyes captured third place with a time of 43.721 seconds.

Isabel Ikast of Parker, CO, and Royal Flush, owned by Bjorn Ikast, made a quick dash atop the leaderboard in the $5,000 NAL Low Junior/Amateur Owner Classic presented by Nutrena, finishing with a time of 39.176 seconds. Sydney Luzicka of Albuquerque, NM, and St John 10:9, owned by DC Sales & Entertainment, finished just a second off the winning pace to earn second. Brooke Cudmore of Omaha, NE, and Igor, owned by Blair Cudmore earned third place with a time of 42.68 seconds.

The $10,000 SJHOF Medium/High Junior/Amateur Owner Classic presented by Griffis Residential was championed by Brooke Cudmore of Omaha, NE, as she piloted Cassin, owned by Blair Cudmore to victory with a time of 42.107 seconds. Susan Griffis of Larkspur, CO, and Cwestoreto, owned by Palmer Divide Ranch, earned second place, stopping the jump-off clock in 44.297 seconds. Katharin Gualtieri of Morrison, CO, and Castalano, owned by Sandwillow Farm rounded out the top three of the competitive class, as they finished with a time of 42.939 seconds and four faults.

Hunter Highlights

Alongside the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by Front Range Kubota hosted at CHP during SIR II, a $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby was also offered and saw Becky Warner and Fitz, owned by Emma Tellor, capture victory and best a class of 36 entries. The duo received a two round score of 348, while Amberlee Wentz of Colorado Springs, CO, guided Mesa View Stables, LLC's Verity to a second place finish after tying Warner with a score of 348. Karen Banister of Brighton, CO, and Winning Ticket, rounded out the top three, collecting a final score of 324.5.

Elizabeth Simpson of Parker, CO, accurately guided her own Rollingswood Q and A to victory in the $1,000 Colorado Horse Park Pony Hunter Derby, receiving an impressive overall score of 316.5. Dominic Gibbs of Colorado Springs, CO, and his own GF Elliott earned second place awards, finishing the class with a two round score of 292. Hays Lanter of Snowmass Village, CO, and Happiness Is collected third place, finishing with a 287.

Simpson and Rollingswood Q and A received a first round score of 153.5, to then go on and earn a 164 in the handy round, securing the win. Gibbs and GF Elliott entered the second round with a 154 and received a 138 in the handy to collect a well-deserved second place.

Karen Catov-Goodell of Colorado Springs, CO, and Perseus YC, owned by Erin Gibbs, took first place honors in the $1,000 3' Pre-Green Hunter Classic, while Laurie Jueneman of Parker, CO, and RF Meisterfreiheit owned by Adrian Greenholz, finished in second, while Kelly Lorek of Manchaca, TX, piloted MTM Worth It to third place.

Amanda Thomas of Brentwood, MO, finished a banner day in the 3'3" Pre-Green Hunter Classic guiding Fanci That, owned by Thomas Spiro and Sky Fall, owned by Katherine Dewar, to a first and second place finish respectively. Laurie Jueneman of Parker, CO, guided Farolito, owned by Lisa Martinez-Bates to third place.

The $1,500 Junior Hunter 3'3"/3'6" Classic saw Abigail Albrecht of Austin, TX, and her own MTM Nameworthy take the win, besting a class of 17 entries. Sarah Kassabian of Oklahoma City, OK, and her own Premonition finished in second place, while Mackenzie Shuman of Monument, CO, and piloted her own Quintessence to third.

Nicole Lyvere of Denver, CO, and her own Wink championed the $1,500 Amateur Owner Hunter Classic 3'3"/3'6" Classic, while Elizabeth Hund of Denver, CO, piloted Aragonaut, who she owns, to second place. Lyvere and Promo collected third place, as she guided another mount to a top three finish at SIR II.

The $1,500 NAL/WIHS Children's Hunter Classic saw Anna Lawrence of Englewood, CO, and her own Sirius Black take top honors. Gabrielle Coleman guided Symphony, owned by Amanda Thomas, to second place, while Cece Siegfried of Tulsa, OK, and her own Finally Found, finished in third place.

Competition at The Colorado Horse Park continues on Wednesday, June 22, with the start of SIR III, which will feature the $50,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix on Saturday, June 25, and conclude on Sunday, June 26. For more information on CHP, please visit www.coloradohorsepark.com.

Final Results $40,000 Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Super 8 Grand Prix presented by Trapper's Chop House

1. QUICKIE, 2006 Oldenburg gelding by Quality x Shira
NATASCHA GATES, Nastascha Gates: 0/0/41.25

2. S & L ZEPPELIN, 2004 Dutch Warmblood gelding by No Limit x Sterre H
ARMANDO HASSEY, Caroline Beecherl: 0/4/37.92

3. INDOKTRO K VAN 'T KATTENHEYE, 2008 Belgian Warmblood stallion by Indoctro x Elboubet Van De Doorndonkhoeve
MARK MARTENS, Palmer Divide Ranch: 0/4/38.58

4. CEONTO, 2001 Holsteiner gelding by Cassini x Unknown 
KAREN CUDMORE, Blair Cudmore: 0/4/39.67

5. J.E.S. QUITO, 2007 Canadian Warmblood gelding by Carthago Sun I x Quinta
NICKI WILCOX, Nicki Wilcox: 0/4/39.88

6. WALLSTREET RC, 2007 Swedish Warmblood stallion by Cardento x R.Z. Calenttina
CHENOA MCELVAIN, Guy McElvain: 1/79.6

7. SOUTHERN PRIDE, 1998 Holsteiner stallion by South Pacific x Blanka
KAREN CUDMORE, Blair Cudmore: 4/75.76

8. CANDY MAN, 2007 Warmblood gelding
BJORN IKAST, BBB Show Jumpers LLC:  4/76.55

9. SOULSHINE, 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Randall x Unknown
COURTNEY FREDERICK, Equestrian Investments LLC:4/78.53

10. SUPER BAD, 2005 Holsteiner gelding by Conejo x Unknown
KAREN CUDMORE, Blair Cudmore: 8/72.42

11. VOILA, 2007 Hanoverian mare by Valentino x Gretchen S
CHENOA MCELVAIN, Guy McElvain: 8/76.16

12. CHESTINA Z, 2005 Argentinian Warmblood mare by Chester Z x H.S.D. Azzurrea
BJORN IKAST, Bjorn Ikast:  8/77.58

Final Results $20,000 Welcome Stake presented by the Littleton Equine Medical Center

1. SOULSHINE, 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Randall x Unknown
COURTNEY FREDERICK, Equestrian Investments, LLC: 0/0/40.22

2. CANDY MAN, 2007 Warmblood gelding
BJORN IKAST, BBB Show Jumpers LLC: 0/0/40.48

3. SUPER BAD, 2005 Holsteiner gelding by Conejo x Unknown
KAREN CUDMORE, Blair Cudmore: 0/0/41.72

4. CASSINO, 2007 Holsteiner stallion by Clarimo x I-Carissima
ARMANDO HASSEY, Armando Hassey: 0/4/40.42

5. J.E.S. QUITO, 2007 Canadian Warmblood gelding by Carthago Sun I X Quinta
NICKI WILCOX, Nicki Wilcox: 0/4/41.88

6. CON CHINO Z, 2001 Westphalian gelding by Lou Bega De x Cest Si Bon De
ELIZABETH ADELSON, Four Fillies LLC: 0/9/51.78

7. VOILA, 2007 Hanoverian mare by Valentino x Gretchen S
CHENOA MCELVAIN, Guy McElvain: 4/75.17

8. SOUTHERN PRIDE, 1998 Holsteiner stallion by South Pacific x Blanka
KAREN CUDMORE, Blair Cudmore: 4/75.69

9. CUPIDO DE LAUBRY, 2002 Belgian Warmblood gelding
HANNAH HOLIK, Czech Mate LLC: 4/75.92

10. WALLSTREET RC, 2007 Swedish Warmblood stallion by Caredento x R.Z. Calettina
CHENOA MCELVAIN, Guy McElvain: 4/77.97

11. SKY HIGH, 2008 Holsteiner gelding by Cassini I x Nanett I
HOLLY SHEPHERD, Loretta Patterson: 4/78.6
12. CATOCTIN, 2007 RPSI gelding by Cicera's Ice Water x Report to Sloopy
KATHRYN BIRNBAUM, Kathryn Birnbaum: 7/82.94

Final Results $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by Front Range Kubota
Place, Horse, Rider, Owner, Round 1 Score, Round 2 Score, Total Score

1. SPERO, TALI DEJONG, Tali DeJong: 160/180/340

2. MTM NAMEWORTHY, ABIGAIL ALBRECHT, Abigail Albrecht: 171/164/335

3. LALIQUE, BROOK CUDMORE, Blair Cudmore: 149/170/319

4. CLEARVIEW, JADEN OLSON, Jaden Olson: 145/165/310

5. MANCHESTER, HOLLY SHEPHERD, Loretta Patterson: 128/174/302

6. HJ NOTEWORTHY, HOLLY SHEPHERD, Loretta Patterson: 105/181/286

7. VAILLERO, NICOLE LYVERE, Nicole Lyvere: 141/137/278

8. CASINO 72, DEVON WEIGERS, Devon Weigers: 124/125/249

9. CHRISTOPHE, CAROLINE MOLTHER, Caroline Molther: 90/150/240

10.  SIMONE, JENNIFER RHODES, Catherine Schoelzel: 84/155/239

11. FABLED, RACHEL LINDSEY, Amberlea Tribble: 94/143/237

12. WINDSOR, MARY RIGGS, Bailey Tims: 82/125/207