Traverse City, MI - July 24, 2009 - Today marked the third day of competition during the Horse Shows by the Bay Series III at the Flintfields Horse Park, where junior riders competed in the Pessoa/USEF Medal and the ASPCA Maclay. Laura Pfieffer had the blue ribbon ride during today's Pessoa/USEF Medal class aboard the eight-year-old mare Cassay. Heather Frymark and Eli were named the winners of today's ASPCA Maclay class, held in the Polk Family Main Hunter Ring. 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.
Twenty-one riders competed over today's Pessoa/USEF Medal course, which included a sharp bending line, a rollback, a two-stride, and multiple inside options. The top four riders were called back to test and asked to hand gallop an oxer, counter canter a single vertical, canter the two stride line, and perform an extended sitting trot down the center of the ring.
Laura Pfieffer and Cassay performed a beautiful test to garner the blue ribbon and a Pessoa bridle, sponsored by English Riding Supply of Scranton, PA. Emily Abbruzzi and Keep It Simple followed with the second place prize, while Heather Frymark and Eli took home the third place award. Sydney Schaeffer rode VBS Hannink Atlantis to the fourth place honors.
Pfieffer had a very specific plan for today's class with Cassay. "During the first round I wanted to go in and be slick and practice with Cassay," she explained. "For the test I really wanted to show off the hand gallop. Cassay is somewhat new to the equitation and it has taken some work, but she's a good horse."
"I'm hoping to take her to Indoors this year and compete in the finals," Pfieffer continued. "She needs a confident ride because she can be a little faint of heart. She tends to look where she's not supposed to, so you have to keep her focused, but I still feel confident on her."
Pfieffer trains with her aunt, Polly Howard, at Fox Meadow Farm in Temperance, MI.
Earlier in the day the Polk Family Main Hunter Ring hosted the ASPCA Maclay class, sponsored by RSB Farms of Wellington, FL. This time Heather Frymark and Eli walked away with the blue ribbon. The pair was the first to perform a tight inside turn to the course's difficult rollback. Gabrielle Thornton and Captivate captured the second place prize, and Kelsey Wickham and Fesno were presented with the third place award. Cara Monforton and Justin took home today's fourth place ribbon.
"We started a little shaky this morning but we've improved more throughout the day," smiled Frymark after receiving her ribbon. "He was great today. I was just trying to get him in the ring to get him ready for the USEF Medal, but this will be more miles for regionals and Syracuse if I qualify."
Frymark rides Eli for her trainer, Kim Carey, who is based out of Holly, MI. "I don't know Eli all that well because I've been catch riding him," she said. "I rode him in Wellington and we did really well there, and then I rode him at a few local shows. I'm hoping to continue competing with him in the equitation and if I'm very lucky ride him during regionals and then finals."
The Horse Shows by the Bay Series III will continue tomorrow with HJAM Medal Finals in the Grand Prix Ring beginning at 1pm. Riders will compete for top prizes in the Limit Junior, Adult, and Open Junior divisions. The exciting action will continue with this week's highlight event, the $30,000 D-BRAIDER Cherry Capital Classic Grand Prix, beginning at 5 pm.
For more information about the 2009 Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival please visit www.horseshowsbythebay.com.
