Katy, Texas – March 31, 2019 – Saturday’s daytime schedule at Week II of Pin Oak 2019 was full of equitation medals, giving many of Pin Oak’s top junior riders a chance to shine. To add to the excitement, a cold front brought on by a series of early afternoon showers caused an abrupt change in weather that had many of the horses feeling particularly frisky. Riders cooled down while it was still hot during Saturday’s Ice Cream Social sponsored by Healing with Love and Woodway Equestrian, which wrapped up just as the warm weather began to fade into chilly showers.
Despite pouring rain, Grace McReynolds of Colorado Springs, Colarado and her own Kabaltic were crowned the winners of today’s Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal.
“I felt pretty good going into the medal,” Grace commented. “All of the lines walked pretty straightforward, so that was nice. It was pouring down rain, but my horse was awesome and our course felt super smooth. My horse was great up the first line, stepping right up, and then the rest of the course really just flowed from there,” she continued.
This is Grace’s second time at Pin Oak and her final year showing as a junior. Grace is excited to compete in the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show this fall.
Owen McWilliams and Tour Eiffel Du Mesnil, owned by Cold Spring Farm Investments, LLC, topped the WIHS Equitation Jumper Phase while Brooke Brombach and Spygate, owned by Show Hunter Investments, LLC, took the blue ribbon in the WIHS Equitation Hunter Phase.
However, it was Bella Kay, winner of Friday afternoon’s $30,000 Walsh and Albert USHJA International Derby, and her SWS Questionnaire who were consistent enough to earn the top prize in the overall WIHS Equitation.
Izabella Millimet won this week’s Hamel NHS 3’3″ medal on her own RVF Carlyle.
Hannah Buskin and Fedor, owned by Ava Williams, came out on top of a fiercely competitive class of 31 riders in the THIS National Children’s Medal. After earning first round scores in the 80s, all four riders proved their position in the challenging work off.
After a long day of fun, lots of riding, and hard work, riders were excited to watch Saturday night’s Hildebrand Fund $30,000 Grand Prix. Pin Oak’s equitation riders are anticipating Sunday’s ASPCA Maclay, USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal, and Platinum Performance Talent Search. Meanwhile, the junior hunter and jumper competitors are looking forward to classic day as well as the chance to earn tricolors as their divisions wrap up on Sunday.
