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Amanda Derbyshire and Lady Maria BH Celebrate One Year of Partnership with $25,000 Devoucoux Welcome Stake Victory at Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, Sophie Michaels Shines in Junior Hunters

by Phelps Media Group, Inc. International | Jul 22, 2016, 9:12 PM

Traverse City, Mich. - July 22, 2016 - Amanda Derbyshire and Lady Maria BH celebrated their one-year partnership with a victory in the $25,000 Devoucoux Welcome Stake at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF) Week Three. The grey mare rose to the occasion, out jumping 32 contenders for the lion's share of the prize, tripping the timers in 33.649 seconds.
Amanda Derbyshire and Lady Maria BH win the $25,000 Devoucoux Welcome Stake at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival. ©Kendall Bierer/Phelps Media Group
Amanda Derbyshire and Lady Maria BH win the $25,000 Devoucoux Welcome Stake at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival. ©Kendall Bierer/Phelps Media Group

"Maria is my princess," Derbyshire smiled. "She is the best horse I have ever had. She just tries every time she is in the ring. No matter what you do, she always tries to win. She is so laid back in every way, but she gets wound up in the ring if you want her to be. She is very careful. You can take her in any ring, and she is just an easygoing horse. I have actually had her one year exactly today."

Derbyshire and Lady Maria BH, owned by David and Becky Gochman, were one of only three to clear Pierre Jolicouer's jump-off track, and one of only six to master the first round course. Aaron Vale and Quality On Top, owned by North Face Farm, took second place, while David Beisel and Call Me Hannes, owned by Harlow Investment Enterprises LLC, earned third.

"My plan was to go as fast as I could," Derbyshire said. "Aaron [Vale] beat me last week in the grand prix, and I watched him go in the jump-off today so I knew that I needed to go fast to beat him today. I was pretty fast going from one to two, and I was tight back to the double combination. Ken Berkley was helping me today, and he told me that if I thought I was up by the last fence I should take an extra stride and be cautious to the final fence, which I did, so I didn't knock it down."

Derbyshire and Lady Maria BH have proven themselves as formidable opponents in more than one arena including the 2016 Longines Global Champions Tour Miami, where they won the Miami Beach CSI2*.

"I am so grateful to David and Becky Gochman for supporting me, allowing me to do this, owning such a great horse and keeping her for me," Derbyshire stated. "They try to come to every show, and having them here today was great. They are so supportive, and the happiest people. They are always my cheering squad. Even if you don't always have a good time, both them and their kids pick me up. We are a pretty good team."

Vale took the second place finish with North Face Farm's Quality On Top, leading the class from the beginning until Derbyshire stole the limelight. Vale said, "It was a fun course today, it was quite busy. It was technical; you had a lot of stuff that came up quick and you really had to have the horses focused. It was a good, fair course. It let you turn or do strides to make the time."

Vale continued, "It's his first grand prix. He did the 1.40m during Florida, moved up to some 1.45m classes in the spring at Kentucky and then in his first prix, jumped around out there just like he knew what he was doing. Since I was the first one in, I went pretty fast but I didn't take the biggest chances. I wanted to get a good clear in so it was a great class for his first bigger one."

Both Derbyshire and Vale plan to face off once again during the $50,000 Great Lakes Grand Prix, presented by the Ingram family, on Sunday, July 24.

David Beisel tends to ride the "little horses that could," surpassing numerous contenders with his slight and speedy mounts. On Friday, it was the little chestnut mare, For Sunday, owned by Harlow Investment Enterprises, LLC of Mason, Ohio, that took the Young Jumper Championship (YJC) 6-Year-Old Qualifier victory.

"She's a little fireball," Beisel laughed. "She is teeny and she loves it. For as much of a firecracker as she is, you come out of the ring and she is just totally relaxed. She really loves show jumping. She just started a year ago, here at GLEF, doing the 5-year-old jumpers. Since then, she has done the 6-year-old jumpers all season."

For Sunday holds a special place in Beisel's heart, especially because he had so much success with her dam, For Pleasure. Bred by Beisel and Harlow Investment Enterprises, For Sunday came to be due to an award Beisel earned with For Pleasure at HITS Ocala for "Best Mare."

"We won a free embryo transfer, and that is how we ended up with the baby," Beisel smiled. "We want to get to the Young Jumper Championships in Kentucky in September. She loves it out there. I have to keep her straight, and try not to go too fast. She is little enough that you need to let her go fast, but not quite full-throttle. I would like to thank the Harlows for letting me ride such a great horse. Also, CWD for such great saddles."

Beisel was the only contender of the qualifying class to navigate the opening track clear, riding both of his 6-year-olds into the jump-off. Although he jumped clear with his first horse, La Dolce Vida VDL, owned by Makayla Weber, he took a conservative approach, which left room for his return with For Sunday. They broke the beam in 42.473 seconds with a double-clear effort sealing the win as well as their third consecutive victory of the GLEF series. For Sunday currently leads the YJC 6-Year-Old Mid-West League with 85 points after their win Friday.

Third and fourth place finishes were awarded to Charlotte Clark with Kinsella and Amalee, respectively.

GLEF will continue to welcome riders and thrill spectators over the next two weeks throughout the first series of competition, which runs July 6-31. Week Three runs July 20-24 and will feature highlighted jumper events such as the $50,000 Great Lakes Grand Prix, presented by the Ingram family, on Sunday, July 24.

For more information or to view schedules, please visit mmg.management or www.greatlakesequestrianfestival.com.

RESULTS

$25,000 Devoucoux Welcome Stake
ORDER ENTRY # HORSE NAME RIDER NAME OWNER JF1 TF1 AF1 T1 JF2 TF2 AF2 T2
1 607 LADY MARIA BH AMANDA DERBYSHIRE DAVID GOCHMAN 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 33.649
2 712 QUALITY ON TOP AARON VALE NORTH FACE FARM 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 34.884
3 492 CALL ME HANNES DAVID BEISEL HARLOW INVESTMENT ENTERPRISES LLC 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 34.942
4 1089 CARLO AARON VALE AMATOVILLE ENTERPRISES 0 0 0 0.000 4 0 4 33.802
5 1206 DIRKIE Z NICK NOVAK NICK NOVAK 0 0 0 0.000 4 0 4 35.427
6 340 STELLA DE LANNAY ALEXA LOWE-WISEMAN WINDSOR FARM SALES 0 0 0 66.235 0 0 ELIM
7 1344 LA LOPEZ 3 MICHAEL MORRISSEY STEVEN MACKEN 4 0 4 74.739
8 766 AVENTADOR DAVID JENNINGS MAFFITT LAKE FARMS 4 0 4 75.175

YOUNG JUMPER 6 YR OLD CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER
ORDER ENTRY # HORSE NAME RIDER NAME OWNER JF1 TF1 AF1 T1 JF2 TF2 AF2 T2
1 494 FOR SUNDAY DAVID BEISEL HARLOW INVESTMENT ENTERPRISES LLC 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 0 42.473
2 1327 LA DOLCE VITA VDL DAVID BEISEL MAKAYLA WEBER 0 0 0 0.000 0 8 8 50.801
3 594 KINSELLA CHARLOTTE CLARK CHARLOTTE CLARK 4 0 4 72.970
4 595 AMALEE CHARLOTTE CLARK CHARLOTTE CLARK 4 0 4 75.461
5 653 FALCO DE BLOOMERD MELISSA DONNELLY CAPTIVATE FARMS LLC 12 4 16 81.492

Sophie Michaels Shines in Junior Hunters at The Great Lakes Equestrian Festival
Sophie Michaels and Coco. ©Sarah Harper/Phelps Media Group
Sophie Michaels and Coco. ©Sarah Harper/Phelps Media Group

On day three of The Great Lakes Equestrian Festival it was the junior riders who had their turn to shine under sunny blue skies in the R.L. Polk Family Main Hunter Ring. It was a blue ribbon day for Sophie Michaels and Coco in the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 over fences classes Friday. Michaels and Coco a 13-year-old Westphalian gelding, owned by Further Lane Farm, claimed the top spot in both the over fences class as well as the handy round.

Following behind Michaels in the over fences class, second place went to Emma Lena Green and her own Hennessy, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding. The pair was also third in the handy round. Lily Walton and her own Callahan a 9-year-old Oldenburg gelding rounded out the top three. Bringing home the red ribbon in the handy round was Cole Battershall and Rogelio an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Rolling Acres Farm.

Michaels and Coco are a seasoned pair. "I've had this horse for almost five years," Michaels explained. "He was my first jumper and then he turned into my equitation horse. Now I have other equitation horses so he's there if we need him and he's really great. He's a jack of all trades. He can do anything and I feel really comfortable on him. He was really good today."

Michaels was happy with her ride on her veteran partner. "He is a bit of a slow horse, Michaels said. "He's definitely cold, but once you get him going he's great.  Today he had a lot of life to him which was good, you just kind of cruise around."

In the Large Junior Hunter 15 and Under division, the top spot in the over fences class went to Sloan Hopson and Coachella a 14-year-old warmblood gelding owned by Avery Griffin, Hopson and Coachella also took home third place in the handy round. In second place was Sophie Gochman and VIP Z, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Scott Stewart, the pair took home the blue in the handy class. Rounding out the top three in the over fences class was Paige Matthies and Justified a 9-year-old warmblood gelding owned by Dudley B. Smith. Second place in the handy class went to Rachel McMullen and Clear Sailing a 9-year-old warmblood mare owned by Redfield Farm.

This is only the second show together for Gochman and VIP Z but the pair is already finding success with a win in the THIS National Children's Medal during Week Two of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival.

Sophie Michaels and Coco

On day three of The Great Lakes Equestrian Festival it was the junior riders who had their turn to shine under sunny blue skies in the R.L. Polk Family Main Hunter Ring. It was a blue ribbon day for Sophie Michaels and Coco in the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 over fences classes Friday. Michaels and Coco a 13-year-old Westphalian gelding, owned by Further Lane Farm, claimed the top spot in both the over fences class as well as the handy round.

Following behind Michaels in the over fences class, second place went to Emma Lena Green and her own Hennessy, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding. The pair was also third in the handy round. Lily Walton and her own Callahan a 9-year-old Oldenburg gelding rounded out the top three. Bringing home the red ribbon in the handy round was Cole Battershall and Rogelio an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Rolling Acres Farm.

Michaels and Coco are a seasoned pair. "I've had this horse for almost five years," Michaels explained. "He was my first jumper and then he turned into my equitation horse. Now I have other equitation horses so he's there if we need him and he's really great. He's a jack of all trades. He can do anything and I feel really comfortable on him. He was really good today."

Michaels was happy with her ride on her veteran partner. "He is a bit of a slow horse, Michaels said. "He's definitely cold, but once you get him going he's great.  Today he had a lot of life to him which was good, you just kind of cruise around."

In the Large Junior Hunter 15 and Under division, the top spot in the over fences class went to Sloan Hopson and Coachella a 14-year-old warmblood gelding owned by Avery Griffin, Hopson and Coachella also took home third place in the handy round. In second place was Sophie Gochman and VIP Z, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Scott Stewart, the pair took home the blue in the handy class. Rounding out the top three in the over fences class was Paige Matthies and Justified a 9-year-old warmblood gelding owned by Dudley B. Smith. Second place in the handy class went to Rachel McMullen and Clear Sailing a 9-year-old warmblood mare owned by Redfield Farm.

This is only the second show together for Gochman and VIP Z but the pair is already finding success with a win in the THIS National Children's Medal during Week Two of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival.


Sophie Gochman and VIP Z

Gochman was happy with her ride on her new partner. "It went really well," Gochman smiled. This is my second time showing him, so I was really proud of him and the handy was really good. I'm really figuring him out, the first round was still pretty good. Sometimes it felt like it could have been better, but I feel like I'm really connecting with him."

Gochman will take to the ring again on Satuday to vie for the division championships, but that is not her ultimate goal with her VIP Z. "We're going to finish up with the juniors," Gochman said. "Hopefully we are going to start the big eq soon." It has not been all work and no play for Gochman however, she has found time to enjoy some of the fun that Traverse City has to offer. "I went tubing, water skiing and jet skiing," Gochman grinned. "I tried to go parasailing yesterday, but it was too windy. We are having a great time here."

Hunter competition will continue Saturday in the R.L. Polk Family Main Hunter Ring with the junior riders vying for division championships. Sunday will see the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, sponsored by Glory Days Farm LLC. 
Horses are not the only form of entertainment lined up for this year's Great Lakes Equestrian Festival. The festival has teamed up with top musicians and entertainers from around the country to offer fun-filled evenings for this year's concert and dinner series.

The Summer Evenings at Flintfields continues, with a Tribute Equine Nutrition Wine and Cheese Reception, as well as a 6 p.m. performance by The Ragbirds, hosted by Porterhouse Presents. The fun continues on Sunday with the WTCM 103.5 Family Fun Day and AC Paws. Come out and see the Olate Dogs, "winner of America's Got Talent." There will also be a Coney Island Hot Dog and Brat Bar, hosted by Porterhouse Presents.

Series Two kicks off on August 10 and runs through August 28 featuring three weeks of hunter and jumper competition with a FEI CSI2* rating Week Five and Six and a FEI CSI3* rating during Week Seven culminating in the $100,000 Grand Traverse Grand Prix on Sunday, August 28. Act now to reserve stabling spots, and do not miss out on the chance to compete during the all-new FEI Great Lakes Equestrian Festival series in August.

The Great Lakes Equestrian Festival is set on 88 beautiful acres and showcases five world-class competition rings in addition to spacious schooling rings. The property features don't stop there as the park offers convenient on-site campgrounds and weekly nights of entertainment for a truly unique attendee experience.

For more information or to view schedules, please visit mmg.management or www.greatlakesequestrianfestival.com.

To view the competition schedule, please click here.

For travel and housing information, please click here.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Brook Berganza [email protected].

For questions and comments, feel free to contact [email protected].

2016 GREAT LAKES EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL
FAST FACTS
WHEN:

2016 FESTIVAL EVENTS

July 24: $50,000 Great Lakes Grand Prix, presented by the Ingram Family, WTCM Family Fun Day and AC Paw Animal Rescue
July 29: Josh Davis Trio
July 30: $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by the Gochman Family
July 31: $50,000 Flintfields Farm Grand Prix, presented by Meijer
Aug. 14: FEI CSI2* - $50,000 Grand Prix of Williamsburg
Aug. 21: FEI CSI2* - $50,000 Grand Prix
Aug. 28: FEI CSI3* - $100,000 Grand Traverse Grand Prix

Click here for tickets!

WHERE:

Flintfields Horse Park
6535 Bates Road, Williamsburg, MI 49690
Ten miles East from the beautiful resort town of Traverse City.

WHAT:

A seven-week-long hunter and jumper equestrian festival.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Week IV:
$25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by the Gochman Family
Week V:
$25,000 U25 Grand Prix, presented by The Moyer Family
Week VII:
$35,000, $40,000 and $100,000 FEI classes
Weekly:
Glory Days Farm LLC USHJA National Hunter Derby
Week I, II, III and IV:
$25,000 Welcome Stake
$50,000 Grand Prix
Week V and VI:
$35,000 and $50,000 FEI classes

HOTEL, MOTEL, RESORT CONTACT INFO:

Please refer to greatlakesequestrianfestival.com for hotels, campgrounds and home rentals.

For on-grounds camping information, please click here.

SPONSORSHIP, VENDORS, ADVERTISING:

Matt Morrissey - [email protected]
Brooke Berganza - [email protected]
Ainsley Bernstein - [email protected]

ORGANIZER CONTACT INFO AND SHOW INFORMATION:

Traverse City Horse Shows, LLC
1301 Sixth Ave. West Suite 406
Bradenton, FL 34205
941-744-5465
[email protected]

MEDIA CONTACT:

Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd.
Suite 102
Wellington, FL 33414
Tel: 561-753-3389
Fax: 561-753-3386
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.phelpsmediagroup.com