Sophie Simpson-Leckie Gallops to the Winners Circle in the Temecula Valley National Fall Week I $10,000 1.35m Welcome Stake
Temecula, Calif. – Oct. 13, 2021 – Show jumping returned to Galway Downs for the Nilforushan Equisport Events Temecula Valley National Fall Week I, presented by Interactive Mortgage. Competition kicked off in the Grand Prix Arena Wednesday afternoon, October 13, with the $10,000 1.35m Welcome Stake, sponsored by Train With Shelby. Thirty-one horse-and-rider pairs battled it out in hopes of taking home the top prize of the day. Ultimately Sophie Simpson-Leckie and A Picasso De Vie bested the field to take home the lion’s share of the $10,000 prize.
“It’s our favorite horse show and we love it so much,” said Simpson-Leckie of Nilforushan Equisport Events. “Ali [Nilforushan] and all of his team do an amazing job. The footing is always amazing and the atmosphere is unreal. The horses always thrive here and we are very thrilled that this is an hour and a half from us and basically in our backyard. We are just always thankful to be here.”
Hunter Riders Kick Off Final Temecula Valley Series of 2021 With a Bang
Temecula, Calif. – October 13, 2021 – Hunter riders kicked off the first week at the Temecula Valley National Fall Series, presented by Interactive Mortgage, in the Grand Hunter Arena, aiming to take an early lead in their respective divisions before the championship crowning Thursday. In the Green 3’6” Hunter division, it was Nick Haness’ scores aboard Caldiano that secured the lead heading into the second day of competition, while Alexis Taylor and Gatsby topped the judge’s scorecards in the Performance 3’6” Hunters.
In the Performance 3’6” Hunters, Alexis Taylor and Alerono LLC’s 10-year-old Warmblood gelding, Gatsby, dazzled the judges with two stand-out rounds over fences, taking a clear lead heading into the second day of division competition.
A large pack of developing hunters squared off in the Young Hunter Five, Six, and Seven & Under divisions, hoping to earn a Championship title following the two days of competition. Thanks to Nilforushan Equisport Events’ Young Hunter Incentive, all three division’s class fees were waived for the entirety of the show, allowing the developing mounts to gain added mileage and experience in the ring. In the Young Hunter Five & Under division, it was Margaret O’Neill and Remember Me who led the field heading into the final day of competition, while Brittney Maguire and Compelling topped the Six-Year-Old Young Hunter Division, and Victoria Lacagnina and Dicaprio walked away with the highest scores in the Seven-Year-Old Young Hunter Division.
Cassio Rivetti and Cristal De Menardiere Race to Unexpected Win in $20,000 Speed Classic During Temecula Valley National Fall Week I
Temecula, Calif. – Oct. 14, 2021 – Speed was the name of the game in the Grand Prix Arena Thursday afternoon, October 14, at Galway Downs for Nilforushan Equisport Events’ Temecula Valley National Fall Week I. All seven classes held in the expansive arena were set in the USEF Table III format, meaning each rail was converted to time added to the clock rather than faults, encouraging riders to put the pedal to the metal. Competition came to a head for the $20,000 1.40m Speed Classic, sponsored by EquiFit. With only one shot in the ring to claim victory, the riders battled it out leaving nothing on the table. The atmosphere was lively with spectators and fans gathering to watch the field of top talent vie for the class honors. In the end, it was Cassio Rivetti and Cristal De Menardiere who topped the leaderboard with the quickest time to take home the victory.
Young Talent Shines Bright in the Five, Six, and Seven-Year-Old Young Hunter Divisions
Temecula, Calif. – October 14, 2021 – After an exciting first day of competition at the Temecula Valley National Fall Week I, hunter riders returned to the rings eager to vie for the first championship titles of the two-week series. Young Hunters dominated the day in the five, six, and seven-year-old divisions. In an effort to claim the highest honor, the developing mounts put their best foot forward, and it was ultimately Nick Haness and Candlelight who took the cake in the Five & Under Young Hunter division, while Daphne Foran and Lift Off emerged victorious in the combined Six and Seven-Year-Old Young Hunter division.
“It is great! I really appreciate horse shows that offer it [the Nilforushan Equisport Events Young Hunter Incentive] and it definitely helps,” said Daphne Foran the combined Six and Seven-year-old Young Hunter Division Champion. “We develop a lot of younger horses in our program, so it is something that helps our barn out. It is a great thing that want to develop younger horses.”
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