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| Like a boss. 2013 Rolex Winners Andrew Nicholson & Quimbo Photo from COTH |
Last year we had 3 riders from California (see my 2013 Rolex CA Rider preview post here, and recap post here) and this year we have all 3 returning, plus 5 more, for a total of 8 (yes, eight!) riders from California!!
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| Photo from USEA |
Deborah Rosen
From Calabasas, CA
Debbie operates Wild Ride Eventers in Somis, just 20 minutes away from me! This will be Deb and her horse Al (The Alchemyst)'s 5th trip to Rolex together. Al is a big Canadian-bred chestnut gelding, with breed listed as Sport Horse (does that mean Canadian warmblood?). I had the pleasure to audit a clinic of hers last year, and hope to clinic with her this season. Debbie is known for her amazing smile during all her rides - seriously, she looks absolutely blissful headed down to those giant jumps! She is certainly a favorite of mine.
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| Weeeee! Photo from Facebook |
Bunnie Sexton
From Santa Ynez, CA
Bunnie is another favorite. She operates Shepherd Ranch Eventing in Santa Ynez. This will be her and Ecko (Rise Against)'s first trip to Rolex and their first 4-star event! Ecko is a beautiful bay thoroughbred. Check out this EN article about them. Bunnie, who is fabulous in her 50s, is proof that you can reach the highest levels of the sport even after you think you've passed your prime competitive years! She is such an inspiration. I've met her a few times, and she is very welcoming and extremely humble.
USEA Rider Profile
Facebook Page
Kismet Farms
This will be Jolie's 3rd trip to Rolex, and 2nd time there aboard Ari (GoodKnight), a bay Selle Francais gelding. They won the 2012 Rebecca Broussard Endowment Grant and used it to compete at the Luhmuhlen 4-star event in Germany last year. I haven't met Jolie personally but she sure is an elegant rider, and I've heard nothing but compliments from friends who've ridden with her and Tracy at Kismet Farms.
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| Through the famous London Olympics horseshoe jump. Photo from Eventing Nation |
Tiana Coudray
From Ojai, CA
Tiana is currently based in England, but hails originally from Ojai which is about 25 minutes away from me. Finn (Ringwood Magister) is a gray Irish sport horse gelding. Tiana and Finn represented the US at the 2012 Olympic Games, and have a number of international competitions under their belt, though this will be just their 2nd time competing at Rolex. I've met Tiana only once, but she struck me as a very nice and hard working gal.
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| Photo from Eventing Nation |
Jolie Wentworth
From Martinez, CAUSEA Rider Profile
Facebook Page
Kismet Farms
This will be Jolie's 3rd trip to Rolex, and 2nd time there aboard Ari (GoodKnight), a bay Selle Francais gelding. They won the 2012 Rebecca Broussard Endowment Grant and used it to compete at the Luhmuhlen 4-star event in Germany last year. I haven't met Jolie personally but she sure is an elegant rider, and I've heard nothing but compliments from friends who've ridden with her and Tracy at Kismet Farms.
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| Photo from Facebook |
Jennifer McFall
From Wilton, CAUSEA Rider Profile
Facebook Page
Dragonfire Farms
This will be Jennifer and Billy (High Times)'s first trip to Rolex and first 4-star competition together. Billy is a stunning black Holsteiner gelding. Jen and her husband Earl operate Dragonfire Farms, which has always piqued my interest as they breed Morgans in addition to doing eventing training and riding.
And our returning riders from 2013 Rolex...
USEA Rider Profile
Facebook Page
Hawley Bennett Eventing
Hawley is probably the most famous California rider, though she represents Canada at international competitions. She operates Hawley Bennett Eventing out of Kingsway Farm in Temecula. She and Ginny (Gin & Juice) are headed to Rolex for the 3rd time together - last year they placed 7th! They've done quite a bit of international competition - in fact, this is their 7th 4-star event! I had the privilege to clinic with Hawley earlier this year, and I've watched them compete numerous times. Ginny is an adorable bay Thoroughbred mare. Hawley lovingly refers to Ginny as her "pocket rocket" because she is small (15.3) but go-go-go!
USEA Rider Profile
Facebook Page
James Alliston Eventing
James operates James Alliston Eventing and is a partner in East Bay Riding Academy. Last year James took 3 horses to Rolex, and this year he is returning solely aboard his horse Parker, a bay Thoroughbred gelding. This will be their 4th trip to Rolex together - last year they they finished 14th! James represents Great Britain at international competitions, and I've had the pleasure to watch them compete numerous times.
Woohoo California riders! I'll be rooting for ya!!
And our returning riders from 2013 Rolex...
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| Little horse. Big jump. No problem. Photo from Facebook |
Hawley Bennett-Awad
From Temecula, CAUSEA Rider Profile
Facebook Page
Hawley Bennett Eventing
Hawley is probably the most famous California rider, though she represents Canada at international competitions. She operates Hawley Bennett Eventing out of Kingsway Farm in Temecula. She and Ginny (Gin & Juice) are headed to Rolex for the 3rd time together - last year they placed 7th! They've done quite a bit of international competition - in fact, this is their 7th 4-star event! I had the privilege to clinic with Hawley earlier this year, and I've watched them compete numerous times. Ginny is an adorable bay Thoroughbred mare. Hawley lovingly refers to Ginny as her "pocket rocket" because she is small (15.3) but go-go-go!
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| Photo from USEA |
Kristi Nunnink
From Auburn, CA
USEA Rider Profile
Facebook Page
Kristi operates Kristi Nunnink Eventing out of Next Star Farm in Auburn, CA. This will be her and her horse Rosie (R-Star)'s 5th time at Rolex - last year they placed 8th! Rosie is a beautiful gray Holsteiner mare. They competed at Pau, France last year and are constantly in the top placings at West Coast events.
Facebook Page
Kristi operates Kristi Nunnink Eventing out of Next Star Farm in Auburn, CA. This will be her and her horse Rosie (R-Star)'s 5th time at Rolex - last year they placed 8th! Rosie is a beautiful gray Holsteiner mare. They competed at Pau, France last year and are constantly in the top placings at West Coast events.
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| Photo from USEA |
James Alliston
From Castro Valley, CAUSEA Rider Profile
Facebook Page
James Alliston Eventing
James operates James Alliston Eventing and is a partner in East Bay Riding Academy. Last year James took 3 horses to Rolex, and this year he is returning solely aboard his horse Parker, a bay Thoroughbred gelding. This will be their 4th trip to Rolex together - last year they they finished 14th! James represents Great Britain at international competitions, and I've had the pleasure to watch them compete numerous times.
Woohoo California riders! I'll be rooting for ya!!
Ohhh.. I liked the article on Bunnie! I hope she and her OTTB do well! Thanks for sharing this info, it makes me wonder who is coming from my part of the map.
ReplyDeleteYeah its nice to root for the home team, so to speak!
DeleteGo Hawley! -
ReplyDeleteSport Horse is Canadian Sport Horse - it just means they were approved and one of their parents is registered. Doesn't matter what. Anything can get in though, I have seen some pretty ugly horses that are CSH. Love the Alchemist though!
Hehe sounds like the American Warmblood situation. Pretty much everything qualifies.
DeleteYeah CA riders!!! :)
ReplyDeleteLots of West Coast action this year!
Delete