Mini Prix Won by Horse Trained at Russell Stable
Vampire VDL, a horse stabled and trained at Cleveland Equestrian stables in Newbury Township, won one of the biggest classes of opening weekend at the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic — the $5,000 Mini Prix presented by Leikin Motor Companies of Willoughby.
Vampire VDL, a horse stabled and trained at Cleveland Equestrian stables in Newbury Township, won one of the biggest classes of opening weekend at the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic — the $5,000 Mini Prix presented by Leikin Motor Companies of Willoughby.
Spectators at the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field cheered on 16 competitors.
After three riders jumped clear in the first round, Micki Reisman, of Moreland Hills, won the jump-off aboard Vampire VDL with a time of 37.99 seconds, nearly two seconds faster than the second-place time.
Trainer Megan Bash, of Cleveland Equestrian, said Vampire VDL is a horse that Micki and her mother, Wendy Kampinski, share.
“They just started to ride with us this summer and were leasing this horse while Micki is home from college in Colorado. They both got along so well riding him that Wendy bought the horse three days ago, although that wasn’t the plan,” Bash said. “Wendy rode him in one jumper class earlier this week and won, and Micki rode him and won the $5,000 Mini Prix. Together they are undefeated.”
Cleveland Equestrian will have 16 horses showing throughout the 10-day competition.
Other winning combinations for the opening weekend include: Stephanie Portman, of Burton, on First Crush, owned by Maureen Hole, very green hunter champion; Portman, on Chemistry, owned by Amanda Boggs, green hunter over fences up to 3-foot-3-inches; Megan Donahey, of Russell, on Candice, owned by Colleen Donahey, reserve champion in junior hunter adult owner; Christine Managhan, of Burton, on Scralet, owned by Skypoint Farm, cross rails champion; and Bridget Connors, of Russell Township, on Ragazzi, owned by Lisa Spano, reserve champion in open equitation over 2-foot-6-inch fences.
Riders attended Schneider Saddlery opening week presented by Chagrin Valley Farms from as far away as Florida. What started with stormy weather and temperatures in the 90s became a beautiful weekend, bringing many spectators as well.
“At a typical opening weekend show, we sell between 180 and 200 stalls,” CHJC chairman Lori Proch, of Bainbridge, said. “This year, we sold 297, so it was a great year for us.”
In the hunter ring, the top class with 24 entries was the $3,500 Mini Hunter Derby, presented by C Jarvis Insurance and Assured Partners. Linda Radigan, of Vermillion, rode Charismatic to top honors. She has been riding the 8-year-old German Hanoverian since December. She had good things to say about the event.
“The footing at the show could not have been better. We had so much rain earlier and I didn’t think there would be any way we could horse show on Friday, but it was perfect,” Radigan said. “That is a huge credit to the horse show committee. They really care about and making sure the exhibitors are happy. We are always on the road (showing around the country) and it’s good to show at home at a top notch horse show.”
Competition at the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic runs through July 15. Highlights include the $10,000 Welcome Stake, presented by the Shaughnessy Family, Family Day, presented by LifeAct, the $20,000 International Hunter Derby, and the $50,000 Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund Cleveland Grand Prix.
For more information, including tickets (available online and at the gate), visit the website at chagrinhunterjumperclassic.org.
