BY BROOKE GODDARD
PARKER, Colo.— LEG Shows & Events continued its series of summer shows at The Colorado Horse Park with Summer in the Rockies Continued I (July 22-26). Caroline Donnally and her Always Me topped the 1.35m Open Welcome Classic for their second week in a row.
“I felt so fortunate to win this class again,” Caroline expressed. “I feel like I’m finally with clicking my mare and she’s doing so well.”
Caroline found the key to a course designed by Michel Vaillancourt and took home the blue ribbon with two clear rounds and a jump-off time of 30.288. “I tried to be as efficient as possible” she explained. “I shaved some corners, but truly my mare is so quick across the ground. She just lands and goes.”
One second behind Caroline with a jump-off time of 31.438 seconds, Bjorn Ikast earned the second place award with Crespo Vdl, owned by Skylark Equestrian, LLC. “It was a good class and a fast jump off,” commented Bjorn. “Michel is one of my favorite course designers. He focuses a lot on rideability – giving you short and long distances and making you truly think as a rider. Crespo is a new ride for me and we’ve only done a couple shows together. He’s a lovely stallion and I am happy to be second.”
Last week, Bjorn clinched the $35,000 LEG Grand Prix aboard one of his other mounts, Castino. “I’m excited for the grand prix on Saturday with all three of my horses,” he added. “I will be trying to go for the LEGIS Rider Bonus with Castino.” If Bjorn and Castino top the grand prix on Saturday, he will be taking home a $750 LEGIS Jumper Rider Bonus. Click here to view the standings and learn more about the LEGIS Rider Bonus Program sponsored by LEGISequine.com, Horsemen Insuring Horsemen.
Caroline has her eyes on the prize and feels ready for the grand prix. “The last week I was a bit nervous going into the grand prix,” she shared. “I got too deep in the triple combination and there was no way she could’ve cleared it. This week, I feel like she is a bit quieter and we are both more focused.”
Caroline is happy to be back in the show ring at The Colorado Horse Park. “With the pandemic and everything happening right now, I’m just trying to seize the moment and enjoy every second of horse showing,” she said. “I’m grateful to the show manager Charlotte Robson and LEG Shows for putting on this summer series here in Colorado—I don’t know what we’d do without them.”
Stay tuned for more highlights from Summer in the Rockies Continued I, including the USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by Littleton Equine Medical Center and Saturday’s $25,000 LEG Grand Prix.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with horse show happenings. We are looking forward to seeing all of your #RibbonsintheRockies on social media!
LEG Trainer Incentive Standings
Did you know that LEG has been sending trainers on vacation for over 16 years? After Autumn in the Rockies II, LEG will be awarding the top three trainers with a $1,000 cash bonus plus sending the top trainer on a Marriott vacation getaway.
As of this week, Michael Dennehy is in the lead for the trip with a total of 44 points. “LEG has been doing this program for years and years now,” Michael commented. “It’s nice because the trainers all work super hard and we are usually the last ones to be recognized.” You can view the complete standings here.
