WEF Week 5 Newsletter
-Tuesday, February 14, 2023-
Week 5 in sunny Florida brought an exciting change of scenery as Beacon Hill students traveled to WEC Ocala to compete in the Equitation Premier Cup. The riders competing in the Premier Cup kicked off the week with a flatwork lesson with Karen Healey in preparation for the weekend ahead. The combinations started off the weekend strong with fantastic results in Friday’s classes. Emma Blumenkrantz and Indiana Jones finished 3rd in the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) Hunter Phase with a score of 90.5, with Reese Merna and Cento Chico taking 7th place with a score of 88.5. In the WIHS Jumper Phase, Eve Westfall placed 2nd on Kasteel WS with Reese Merna and Cento Chico finishing in 5th. Jordan Gibbs and Cent 15 brought home the 6th place ribbon in the Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search to round out an incredible first day in Ocala.
Meanwhile, back in Wellington, Caroline Mirts took 5th place honors in the Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search 2* on First VDL. The combination also ended up placing 6th overall in the WIHS.
After an exciting start to the weekend, riders had an early start at WEC Ocala to school in the stadium at 6 AM before the rain ruined the fun and made the class go inside. The weather couldn’t deter the competitors though, with 10 Beacon Hill riders coming forward to compete in the WEC Premier Cup. Jordan Gibbs, Rylynn Conway, and Reese Merna all made it to flat without stirrups, with Jordan and Cent 15 taking home 3rd place honors and Reese and Trouvaille finishing in 5th after 2 over-fences rounds and the flat phase!
The sun kept shining back in Wellington while Paige Power and Saturday Fever finished in 3rd place in the 3’3” Adult Amateur 36 & Over with a score of 83 points!
Sunday rounded off a great weekend with the riders bringing home more incredible results at WEF. Caroline Mirts and First VDL took home the win in the ASPCA Maclay Section A, qualifying them for the WEF Equitation Championship. The pair also placed 4th in the USEF/Dover Saddlery Hunter Seat Medal Section A. Harper Phipps and HH Casey Jones finished 6th place in Section A of the Medal and 5th in the ASPCA Maclay Section B. In the jumpers, Alexandra Parisi piloted Bernardo DW Z to a 3rd place result in the Children’s Jumper Classic 15-17.
Huge congratulations to all of the riders on another incredible week of competition! Bring on Hunter Week!
Strides for Hope 5k is quickly approaching- Don’t forget to mark your calendars! On February 20th, join the Beacon Hill Team at the Strides for Hope 5K Fundraiser in support of the Equestrian Aid Foundation. Our students and staff will be participating in the fun run — sign up to be a member of our team here:
Strides for Hope 5K Registration
Thank you again to our valued network of sponsors: Pinsnickety, Barn Manager, Equifit, Voltaire, Equine Elixirs, Lukens Horse Transportation, Plughz, Veltri, and Kunkle Gloves.