The Memorial Day Classic Grand Prix came down to just two and they gave the sellout crowd a thrill. Hap Hansen and Cacao, owned by Linda Smith, led for most of the class with just two time faults, but Ashlee Bond finally posted the eagerly awaited clear round on Tommy Gun. Not to be outdone, Mark Watring and Sapphire ensured the jump off when he posted the second clear of the class with only three horses left to jump.



Bond went first in the jump off, and although the pair was speedy, dropped rails opened the door for Watring and Sapphire. Sapphire jumped beautifully for Watring and the pair clinched the win.
“Whenever there is a crowd it is nice to do well. Sapphire loves it here and the grass (field) is perfect,” said Watring after his win.
For Bond, her second place finish was equally gratifying. “I took two and a half years off from riding. I had lost the passion.” During a trip to New Zealand last fall she climbed on a horse and the fire reignited. “Riding has been second nature to me and I am having fun again.”
Bond found the course technical and demanding, as did many other riders based on their results. Many riders had trouble with the triple combination that course designer, Scott Starnes, placed at the end of the course. Hopes were dashed as otherwise clear rounds became four faults at the “C” element of the triple.
The Memorial Day Classic at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, May 24-28, wrapped up the spring show series and marked the beginning of the summer show season in Southern California. This year the Memorial Day Classic was also a World Champion Hunter Rider show. The highlight of the week for the hunters was the $10,000 Memorial Day Hunter Classic.
After two rounds of competition, Nicoletta Von Heidegger piloted Clementine to the win. Von Heidegger almost passed on the competition, but her trainers, Joe Thorpe and Keri Kampsen, talked her into going to her friend’s birthday party fashionably late.
“Clementine is a lot of fun to ride,” said Von Heidegger. “She is so smooth and she is a real girl. She has attitude....kind of like me!” Von Heidegger also rode Breckenridge to third in the hunter challenge.
Second was Jenny Karazissis on Oracle, owned by Tonia Cook Looker. Karazissis also rode Wild Turkey Farm’s Snafu to fourth.
With a trip to Maui on the line, the Memorial Day Equitation Challenge attracted 13 teams consisting of a professional, an amateur and a junior. The professional rider on the winning team wins a weeklong stay in Maui at the Marriott Maui Ocean Resort.
“As a life long professional I feel strongly that the professionals in this sport deserve recognition,” said Show Chairman Larry Langer. “Many could never enjoy a week in Hawaii at a top of the line resort.”
The Castaways - Nick Haness (professional), Katie Gardner (amateur) and Shelby Wakeman (junior) took the lead after Van Vleck’s BFFs (Best Friends Forever) had trouble in the second round. For Haness, this is his first year as a professional after a junior career that culminated with winning the United States Equestrian Federation Talent Search West. He went to work for John Bragg and has been paying his dues.
“I am getting some good rides and I have found I really enjoy teaching,” said Haness. “I like watching the clients do well and to watch their progress.”
Like many other veteran riders in the team competition, Haness discovered there was more pressure than he anticipated. “On the second night Katie and Shelby were so good. I felt lots of pressure because we were all relying on me.” Haness rose to the occasion and posted high scores which helped clinch the victory for his team.
After the awards ceremony, Haness called his mom and asked her if she’d like to go to Maui!
The 24th Annual Memorial Day Classic was bigger and better than ever. Exhibitors enjoyed sunny days and mild temperatures. Best Rider honors were presented during the Grand Prix on Monday afternoon. Devon Manze reclaimed her Best Child Rider title from the previous year, and she was thrilled. After winning the Low Junior Amateur Owner Jumper Classic, Elizabeth Dickinson was also honored during the ceremony as the Best Amateur Rider.
This show report was provided by Langer Equestrian Group, Inc. For more information about the Annual Memorial Day Classic visit
www.leghorseshows.com.