20/06/2023
I didn’t have my phone with me on Saturday, so I only have a few photos, but what a great weekend for team Windswept at the Rocky Mountain Dressage shows at Nighthawk Equestrian Center this weekend! Huge thanks to the entire Nighthawk team, to Heather Petersen and her team at 2 White Feet, Inc. and all of our volunteers for making a fabulous show happen despite the absolute deluge of rain we had on Friday afternoon. Here are a few highlights from the weekend:
- Both Taylor Allen and Megan Kelleghan qualified for NAYCs at the junior and young rider levels, respectively, and put in great tests on both of their horses. Megan and her “powerhouse” Rhetoric pulled off a do-or-die freestyle with only three shoes on after Rhett sprung one in the warmup, and Taylor managed to do two freestyles on two different horses on the same day and earn a whopping 74+% in her second attempt at 4th 3 with her lovely mare, Fleur de Lis. We are so incredibly proud of these girls, who are a joy to show with and set such a wonderful example for our younger junior riders. Both will head back to school after NAYCs this year — we’re going to miss you so much!
- Emily Meszaros brought her lovely new young horse Nakoa out for his first show to scores in the 70s at Intro B, and showed us a glimpse of what a special horse he is for the future. We were so excited to welcome Emily and Sushi to the Windswept family in April and are looking forward to more great outings to come.
- Gaylen Davis and the great Mojito RH had a very nice Grand Prix test on Sunday, and we’re thrilled to see this very experienced pair out doing what they love again after Gaylen gave her mom the reins in 2022.
- Also back in the show ring for the first time in while was Martha Brown and her wonderful Winston, who had two very nice tests at Third 1 this weekend. We’re so glad to see the Tobinator back out doing his thing!
- Elsa Corn achieved a huge long-time goal this weekend and earned her USDF Bronze Medal! Aboard Nancy Davis's Winzerhart, Elsa had two nice tests at 3rd 3, earning both her bronze, her final qualifying score for Regionals, and a freestyle qualifying score. Congratulations, Elsa, and thank you so much to the Davis family for sharing your beloved Remy with us.
- Ryler Horansky continued her undefeated streak as the High Point Pony rider both days on her mom’s lovely Pia, earning great scores at First 3 and qualifying for Regionals. This new pair is off to such a great start this season, and we’re so thrilled for them (and can’t wait to see the Freestyle they’re working on!).
- Maya Rosenthal and Huelveno VI stepped up to First level this weekend, and had two lovely tests at First 1. Maya earned her first two scores for her USDF Bronze Medal at only eleven years old, yet another signal of exciting things to come for this pair!
- We’re lucky to have the Grier School’s RH Independence with us this summer. Taylor rode “Indy” to his PB at First 3, as well as debuting a very fun “Beach Boys” themed First level freestyle. Congrats on your first show in Colorado, Indy — we’re so glad you’re here!
- Greta Vowell expertly piloted Sloane Kuney Rosenthal’s five year old mare, Famosa WF, through her first test, earning a 72.8% at Training 3 despite a couple of green moments! It has been a joy to watch this special girl learn about horse show life throughout the summer, and we are so excited for her future!
- Sloane and her inimitable Con Air V also broke new ground this weekend, debuting their “Encanto”-themed Fourth level freestyle to a nice result on Saturday. We apologize to everyone who now has “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” stuck in their head, but we’re excited to see more of this one this summer. Huge thanks to Julie Barringer-Richers for all of her work on this freestyle!
We’re so proud of how all these teams have grown since the season started, and can’t wait to be back at Nighthawk to show again in July!
Greta Vowell
Dressage Pacifico
Julie Barringer-Richers
Wild Rose Farm
