Hunter and Jumper Classics Take Center Stage to Conclude Temecula Valley National Horse Show

Temecula, Calif. – April 22, 2018 – Perfect weather greeted athletes for the final day of the inaugural Temecula Valley National Horse Show. In the Grand Prix Arena, Daniel Rihan Jr. and Chousa captured the victory in the highlight event, the $3,000 Equestrian Almanac Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. During the $2,000 Tres Palomas Junior/Amateur-Owner Low Jumper Classic, Rachel Torok outran the competition with Comanchero M for the day’s first win. In the $2,500 Theodosakis Family Children’s/Adult Hunter Classic, Allie DeSimone and Lord Livingston led from start to finish to capture the winning title.

Daniel Rihan Jr. and Chousa

The feature event on Sunday was the $3,000 Equestrian Almanac Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. Of the eight entries that qualified for the tiebreaker, it was Daniel Rihan Jr. piloting three of them. He returned first aboard Desperado and wore a target on his back when he cleared the track in 29.407 seconds.

Daniel Rihan Jr. aboard Galan

Holly Scapa managed to outrace Rihan three rounds later with Tarrabas Du Maraly, clocking in one-tenth of a second faster with a time of 29.336 seconds. Rihan was not ready to give up the win yet though, returning aboard Chousa, who was faster yet as the talented mare left out a stride to the double combination. The pair finished in 28.658 seconds to claim the victory, while Rihan’s first mount held on to the third place honors.

Rachel Torok and Comanchero M

In the $2,000 Tres Palomas Junior/Amateur-Owner Low Jumper Classic, four of the five jump-off contenders completed double clear efforts to create a foot-race for the top spot. Ivey Burns and Eleanor Hellman’s Lerida were the early pathfinders, setting the pace to beat at 39.405 seconds, which would hold up for third place. When Torok entered the ring with her own Comanchero M they left nothing to chance, laying on the gas to take a commanding two-second lead with a time of 37.245 seconds. Estelle Navet was the last to challenge aboard Artiste De La Roque and the pair left all of the fences intact, but their time of 38.100 seconds would only be good enough for second place as Torok led the victory gallop.

Allie DeSimone and Lord Livingston

With the hope of bringing home top prize money, the $2,500 Theodosakis Family Children’s/Adult Amateur 3’ Hunter Classic brought a collection of talented horses and riders to the Grand Hunter Arena for a shot at the win. DeSimone and her own Lord Livingston were the first to take their turn around the ring, earning a score of 84 from the judge, immediately followed by subsequent marks of 76 to take the early lead with a 160 cumulative total. Though the field tried to chase down DeSimone and “Levi”, none were able to surpass the initial leader’s score. Lisa Hooper and her own Overdressed came the closest after two strong showings in the classic and handy phases of competition, but ultimately settled for the reserve title.

Alexus Wilson and Baloubina

Over two days of competitive riding, Alexus Wilson and Baloubina, owned by Megan Camaisa, laid down the strongest showings in the four over fences classes as well as the hack to earn the championship tricolor in the Children’s 3’ Hunter division. DeSimone and Lord Livingston increased their list of achievements for the week with the overall reserve position.

In the Adult Amateur 3’ Hunters, it was Hooper and Overdressed who ousted the competition to ride away with the division prize. The pair consistently turned in first-rate performances to accrue the most points towards the division championship, followed by Katarina Ivanovich and Amalfi Coast in the runner-up position.

Lisa Hooper and Overdressed

Hunter and jumper action will return to Galway Downs May 23 – 27 and May 30 – June 3 for the Temecula Valley National Horse Show II and III. Ali and Francie Nilforushan’s Nilforushan Equisport Events aims to produce world-class events that will make California a major show jumping destination for riders from all over the world.

FROM THE WINNERS CIRCLE

Daniel Rihan Jr. – $3,000 Equestrian Almanac Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic Winner

On his horse:
“She’s an amazing horse. I’ve had her for maybe six months. She’s really young and she’s going to be a great horse. It was a really nice day.”

On the Temecula Valley National Horse Show:
“It’s a super nice horse show. Ali has done a great job, the people have been so nice. The classes and everything have been amazing.”

Rachel Torok – $2,000 Tres Palomas Junior/Amateur-Owner Low Jumper Classic Winner

On Comanchero M:
“I’ve had him for about a year; I actually just bought him two weeks ago. I leased him for a year before. He is an amazing horse and he jumps like a freak. I hope to get up to the 1.30m or 1.35m, maybe the 1.40m a couple times. Right now we are right at the place I thought we would be.”

On the Temecula Valley National Horse Show:
“This show is unbelievably beautiful. There are so many opportunities to take your horse out on the racetrack and take them to see the cross-country jumps. The warm-up rings and everything are so well run. I couldn’t ask for anything better, especially for the first week of the show.”

Allie DeSimone – $2,500 Theodosakis Family Children’s/Adult Amateur 3’ Hunter Classic champion

On her horse, Lord Livingston:
“Lord Livingston – I call him ‘Levi’ – is a grey Oldenburg imported from Poland. He has been the one of the sweetests horse in the barn. He is the best, I love riding him. I’ve been riding him for about two years now, so I know him pretty well.”

On her experience at the show:
“I love it. We are not even five minutes away, so we call it a home show basically. Ali is one of the best. I have known him since January, so not that long, but he is so nice and has put on a great show. I will for sure be back at least one week when the show returns in a month or so.”

Lisa Hooper – Adult Amateur 3’ Hunter champion and $2,500 Theodosakis Family Children’s/Adult Amateur 3’ Hunter Classic reserve champion

On her horse, Overdressed:
“She is a 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood. This is my first time showing her in the 3’ Amateur Adults. This is her debut. I’ve had her since 2016, but she has only been out here in California for the past year with Nick Haness and J.K. Williams. Her first round was awesome, it was so nice. The key thing with her is that she has such a powerful and cute jump, so even if you decide to sit and wait it out, she still jumps really perfectly, all you have to do is sit up and wait for it. She has the whole picture, she just flows.”

On attending the inaugural horse show:
“I’m thoroughly enjoying the show. Everyone has been very pleasant and everything is well organized, especially for a debut show. The facility is nice, welcoming and friendly. The jumps have been set very welcoming and not overtaxing, but still competitive. I think it’s been great and I’ve been showing my whole life.”

RESULTS

$3,000 Equestrian Almanac Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic
Place / Rider / Horse / Owner / R1 Faults / R2 Faults / Time

1. Daniel Rihan, Jr. / Chousa / Daniel Rihan / 0 / 0 / 28.658
2. Holly Scapa / Tarrabas Du Maraly / Holly Scapa / 0 / 0 / 29.336
3. Daniel Rihan, Jr. / Desperado / Daniel Rihan / 0 / 0 / 29.407
4. Brooke Morin / Cassito Del Diablo / Strasburg Morin Inc. / 0 / 4 / 28.580
5. Daniel Rihan, Jr. / Galan / Daniel Rihan / 0 / 4 / 30.567
6. Olivia Sutzky / Skyfall / Olivia Sutzky / 0 / 4 / 31.945

For more information, please visit www.jump-NEE.com.

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