Sep 15, 2021

Rider Reflections: Area VI Champions Crowned at Copper Meadows

By Meagan DeLisle - USEA Staff

It is championship season and Area VI held their annual Area Championships on Saturday, September 11 at Copper Meadows. Championships classes were offered at the Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, and Preliminary level. All championship divisions competed separate dressage tests from the regular horse trial entries and there were several additional cross-country questions on the championship tracks. Winners received an embroidered cooler from Professionals Choice, a leather halter from Elston Hay and Grain, a Fleeceworks gift certificate, a Ride On Video gift certificate, an Equestrian Habits prize, a free equine massage courtesy of CJ Equine Massage, and a set of Scrubbies from the Scoring Chix. Following the weekend's battle royale, we caught up with the riders who rose to the top to gather their thoughts!

Preliminary Champion: Stephanie Simard and Roosevelt | 44.7

Stephanie Simard and Roosevelt. Photo by Tina Fitch photography.


A 20-year hiatus from competition didn't keep Stephanie Simard from excelling in the Preliminary Championship during the Area VI Championships with her 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Roosevelt. "When I bought Roosevelt four years ago I hadn't competed in an event in 20 years, so to even be at this level again, let alone a championship division, is a thrill," Simard shared with the USEA. "He felt so game on cross-country, always asking me where the next fence was, and I appreciated the one-day format because I didn't have a chance to be nervous between phases!"

Training Champion: Kristin Terris and Rathcash Olympia | 30.00

Kristin Terris and Rathcash Olympia. Photo by Tina Fitch photography

Finishing on their dressage score, Kristin Terris and her 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Rathcash Olympia (Je T'aime Flamenco x Fortnill Olympia Clover) swept the Training Championship from start to finish. Terris and "Niambhie" have been partnered together since Terris imported her from Ireland in 2017. In regard to this year's Area Championships, Terris shared: "Aside from the thrill I felt when my friends told me I won, my favorite part of competing in this year's Championships was interacting with the volunteers and staff. Everyone at Copper Meadows was so super cheerful, friendly, and helpful. It blunts the stress of competing to have such friendly ring stewards and volunteers everywhere. I can’t thank them enough for making things so much fun!"

Novice Champion
: Whitney Tucker Billeter and Infinite Wisdom | 29.1

It was a start-to-finish win for Whitney Tucker Billeter and Erin Kellerhouse's Infinite Wisdom in the Area VI Novice Championship. Billeter and the 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding by Smart Strike danced their way to a dressage score of 29.1 which the duo would add no penalties to throughout the final two phases.

Beginner Novice Champion: Laura Jaeger-Seitz and Dondero | 29.5

Laura Jaeger-Seitz and Dondero. Photo courtesy of Laura Jaeger-Seitz.

With no additional penalties to add to their dressage score of 29.5, Laura Jaeger-Seitz and her 6-year-old homebred Oldenburg gelding Dondero (Don de Marco x Pikfernadera) closed out the day with a tricolor ribbon to add to their ribbon wall. "The course rode very nice and I felt the questions on course were perfect for the level," Jaeger-Seitz reflected. "I love being at Copper Meadows. Everyone wants everyone to do well and enjoy themselves. Even those competing against each other were sharing tips on staying cool in the warmer temps and what was different out on course."

Check out all the results from the weekend here.

Jul 02, 2024 Educational Activities

USEA Educational Activity Highlight: Sherwood Forest Hunter Pace | Sherwood Oregon | July 13, 2024

What’s a Hunter Pace? The Sherwood Forest Equestrian Center's Hunter Pace is a cross-country-style course around Sherwood Forest over various natural obstacles/terrain. The course ends with a final treat for riders to take in stunning views of Mt. Hood with a loop through the old Far Hill Farms field. The beginning of the course will first start with a warm-up loop around show jumping obstacles in the outdoor ring at Sherwood Forest and then riders will continue directly onto the course. Sign up as a solo rider, pair, or team.

Jul 02, 2024 Profile

No Longer Dreaming: Claire Allen's Goal of Qualifying for USEF Eventing Young Rider Championship is Now Reality

Claire Allen remembers when she was 11 years old, having just made the switch from the hunter/jumper ring to three-day eventing. She told her new eventing trainer that her goal was to one day compete in the United States Equestrian Federation’s Eventing Young Rider Championships.

Jul 01, 2024 Competitions

Alliston’s Busy Weekend, Braitling’s Reuniting with Five-Star Mount, & Kalkman’s Advanced Victory Highlight Twin Rivers Summer H.T.

As he was finishing tacking up his horse in preparation to navigate the cross-country course at the 2024 Twin Rivers Summer Horse Trials, James Alliston expressed concern about navigating the 101 Freeway. That’s because as soon as he crossed the finish line aboard Intermediate level winner Addyson (Ampere x Nickerbocker) at 10:38 a.m. on Saturday—his fifth cross-country round of the morning with three at Preliminary and two at Intermediate—the West Coast-based five-star rider had to drive 185 miles on the 101 Freeway from Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, California, to San Francisco International Airport to catch a 4:35 p.m. flight to Frankfurt, Germany.

Jul 01, 2024 Education

USEA Podcast #364: All Your Grooming Questions Answered

There is so much more to proper grooming than keeping your horse picture-perfect for the horse inspection. Good grooming practices are critical to proper horse management, no matter if you are planning for your next FEI appearance or your Starter level debut. To help you maximize your knowledge of grooming practices, we opened up the opportunity for USEA members to submit any questions they might have on our Instagram and Facebook stories. In this week's episode, Host Nicole Brown sits down with three of the highest-regarded grooms in this industry, Max Corcoran, Emma Ford, and Stephanie Simpson, and asks them all of your questions and more to help you perfect the art of grooming.

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