United States Eventing Association

Loch Moy Farm wrapped up an exciting day of competition for the 2016 USEA Future Event Horse (FEH) East Coast Championships, presented by Priefert at Carolyn Macintosh’s beautiful Loch Moy Farm in Adamstown, Md. Scores were tight, and the competition was fierce as there were 28 3-year-olds, 13 2-year-olds and 22 yearlings that went head-to-head for the championship titles across all ages.

Due to the impressive number of entries received, the East Coast championship was split so that the 3-year-olds would be judged by Robin Walker and Phyllis Dawson, while the yearlings and 2-year-olds would compete simultaneously, being judged by Susan Graham White and Samantha Allan. Also new this year, the 3-year-olds faced two phases of competition, presenting to the judges in hand at the walk and trot and then again at the canter and over fences in the jump chute arena.

Leading the 3-year-olds from the first in hand class to the very end of the day was Stephanie Ormston’s Beall Spring Shamrock. Shamrock is a Swedish Warmblood gelding, bred just down the road from today’s championship at Beall Spring Farm. He is by the Hanovarian stallion Shakespeare RSF and out of Sahara, a Swedish Warmblood. He was handled today by Martin Douzant. Shamrock had the highest score of all the 3-year-olds after the in hand session, and went on to hold that lead in the jump chute as well. A job well done for a horse originally bred for dressage!

Beall Spring Shamrock. USEA/Shelby Allen Photo.

Ormston bought Shamrock as a yearling directly from Beall Spring Farm, where she has worked as the farm manager for over twenty years. After bringing him up as she does with all the young horses on the farm, she turned the reins over to Martin Douzant. “He’s dressage bred,” Ormston explained. “but Martin thought maybe he had some potential for jumping. [Martin] is an eventer, and wanted to bring him to this, so here we are this was all Martin’s plan.”

Douzant first noticed Shamrock’s talent at his inspection for the Swedish Warmblood Association of North America. “We schooled him free jumping, and he showed us that he was actually a very good jumper,” Douzant said. “He’s bred for dressage so his movement is actually naturally talented. In today’s world in eventing we need good movers and good jumpers, so I thought he would be good for this program.”

Slim and Trim. USEA/Shelby Allen Photo.

The East Coast Reserve Champion title went to Sabrina Morris’ Slim and Trim, a 3-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred mare. She is by Jump Start and out of Buff Girl. Though her three starts at the track didn’t earn her a dime, the judges approved today of her career change. She also took home the Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP) Award for being the highest scoring Thoroughbred out of all age divisions at the event.

Third place overall went to Modern Art, a Connemara filly by ArdCeltic Art and out of My Little Khieba. She is owned, bred and handled by Justine Ix. Finishing off our overall finishers is Lambrecht ASH in fourth place. The Oldenburg colt is by Landkoeng and out of Heart Land, and is owned and handled by Jacquelyn Dickey.

A complete list of 3-year-old scores can be found here.

Meanwhile, the yearlings and 2-year-olds were proving their own future talent. Beginning with the yearlings, Jason Racey’s Dutch Warmblood, Karmas The Best (Farrington x Dolly N), was pinned as the highest scoring yearling filly, while Lanthan Lights C took both the colt and overall yearling titles. Lanthan Lights C is owned and bred by long time FEH supporter Laurie Cameron.

Lanthan Lights C. USEA/Shelby Allen Photo.

For the 2-year-old class, it was last year’s overall champion Wise Master Rubelk who walked away with the win for this age group. Ronald Zabala-Goetschel’s Irish Sport Horse was bred by Michael Byrne. He is by Shamelk and out of Master Ruby. Zabala-Goetschel also owns the 2-year-old filly champion, Wise Gem Twistesse, a Thoroughbred cross by Gemini and out of Comtessa Z.

The USEA would like to thank all the breeders, owners, handlers and competitors that showed up today, as well as our highly-esteemed judges Robin Walker and Phyllis Dawson. A special thank you goes out to Klaus Schengber and his team for ensuring a safe and seemingly smooth process in the Priefert jump chute at the East Coast Championship today. The USEA would also like to extend gratitude to Carolyn Macintosh and the entire Loch Moy team for hosting the FEH East Coast Championship at their beautiful farm.

The FEH Series and Championships would not be possible without the amazing sponsors. Thank you to presenting sponsor Priefert. The USEA would also like to thank the other FEH Series and Championship Sponsors: SmartPak, Standlee Hay, Professional’s Choice, and Merck Animal Health.