About the author: Julie Alonzo and her home-bred Andalusian mare CDC Memoria, currently
compete at the
Intermediate
A level.
For more information about Working Equitation, please visit our website: www.WEUnited.us.
Maximo finished third in Dressage (60.58%), second in Ease of Handling (66.85%), and fourth in Speed (3:00.4) and Texas resident Lisa Harding and Australian Stock Horse Sandhaven Shameless finished fourth in Dressage (60.06%), third in Ease of Handling (65.66%) and second in Speed (2:13.8). The tie breaker of combined Dressage and Ease of Handling score brought Mario the Overall Reserve Champion title.
Meanwhile, Andrea Galbraith McNeal and her Andalusian stallion Dylan Cassimoro came in second in Dressage (61.48%) and third in Speed (2:28.5) to earn the Champion Amateur Rider award. Dawn Metzger and her Andalusian Corrado M had a very successful second WE competition experience, making great strides in their approach to the retrieve a pole obstacle in particular.
Advanced
The sole entries in the Advanced class, Carlos
Carneiro and Andiamo 2005, a Lusitano stallion
owned by George Domb, impressed the crowds with
their 67.39% in Dressage, 69.47% in Ease of
Handling, and Speed time of 2:35.5. The pair won
Champion Advanced Level honors.
Masters
Texan Doreen Atkinson and her Half-Lusitano gelding Obadi del Dios and California resident Carlos Carneiro, riding Sierra Nevada Lusitanos stallion Verdilhao, battled it out in a very competitive two-entry Masters level class. Doreen came in 1stin Dressage (65.37%) and second in Ease of Handling (68.29%) and Speed (2:41.8) to finish as Reserve Champion overall. Carlos came in second in Dressage (65.19%) and first in Ease of Handling (70.79%) and Speed (2:24.51) to win Overall Champion at the highest level.
Many thanks
We would like to offer a special thanks to Sandhaven Performance Horses, breeder of award-winning Australian Stock Horses, for being the Premier Sponsor of the first Southwest Classic A-Rated Working Equitation Competition.
Sandhaven Performance Horses, located in McDade, Texas, is well-known for breeding beautiful, good-minded athletes who excel in a variety of sports including Working Equitation, Polocrosse, and Camp Drafting. Their support made it possible for us to hold this event. Not only did they provide the obstacles, owner Kellee Campbell worked non-stop as the official Working Equitation photographer throughout the three days. Thank you, Kellee and Sandhaven Performance Horses!
We would also like to thank Waller Farms for bringing obstacles for the warm-up arena and for providing such beautiful Champion Open and Amateur prizes for each level. The keepsake embroidered chairs will no doubt be used for years to come. Thank you, Waller Farms!
In addition, we would like to thank the Watts Way crew (Jade Watts Gonzales, Terri Watts, and Deidra Keithley) for bringing several of the obstacles used in both the main competition and the warm-up arena.
Ashley Bowers from Arizona served as the Technical Delegate, verifying score tabulation each day and also assisting with set up/tear down of the obstacles. Heather Walters, Florida, and Elisabeth Crabtree, Texas, volunteered their time as Scribes throughout the three-day show. They also stayed late to help pick up the obstacles at the end of the Speed trial – truly service above and beyond!
In addition, we would like to thank the Watts Way crew (Jade Watts Gonzales, Terri Watts, and Deidra Keithley) for bringing several of the obstacles used in both the main competition and the warm-up arena.
Ashley Bowers from Arizona served as the Technical Delegate, verifying score tabulation each day and also assisting with set up/tear down of the obstacles. Heather Walters, Florida, and Elisabeth Crabtree, Texas, volunteered their time as Scribes throughout the three-day show. They also stayed late to help pick up the obstacles at the end of the Speed trial – truly service above and beyond!
Prissy Rumel and Morita AAA, rising stars.