The 2013 Maclay National Championships - a Must See

Lexington, KY - November 3, 2013 -If you had the chance to observe the finals this year, there was no disappointment in the level of testing during the class. Riders from around the country who qualified for the 2013 ASPCA Maclay National Championship started at 6:00am Sunday at the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, KY with the course walk for round one of the Championship.  One hundred forty eight riders competed for a chance to win the title. Following is just a short synopsis so as not to give away the whole story!

The course had a selection of jumps to test horse and riders with the challenge beginning with jump one, a natural oxer off of a short turn away from the gate.  The line rode very forward in four strides to a vertical without a ground line, causing many horses to add a stride.  A few jumps later was another challenge; a hand gallop to a narrow brick wall without standards, which again trapped many riders into difficult take off distances.  Thirty riders advanced to the flat phase.

The judges, Susan Humes and Robert Ridland continued to challenge these young riders more than in past years. The flat phase not only included the usual counter canter but also a half pass. Twenty riders advanced from the flat phase on to course #2.

The second jumping round included a trot jump as the second element of the line after an oxer and a counter canter jump as a rollback. Another rollback to a triple bar and forward to an in and out yet again, made a challenging test for riders.

As I'm sure you might have read, Lillie Keenan rose to the top for the win. Out of five Chicago riders, two made the top 20, Caitlin Boyle and Lauren Tyree, and one made the top ten, Lauren Tyree.

My point, if you didn't see it live or via live feed, you missed a chance to see our young riders rise to the occasion. Again I say, getting to Lexington is not difficult for the opportunity to watch the best riders compete, succeed and fail, but to give us all a chance to learn. Kudos to the young professionals who came at 6:00am to walk the course and learn so they can improve their teaching and the skills of their young riders. Hooray to the parents who sat in the stands all day to support their children. Thanks to the professionals who tirelessly uphold and teach to the highest levels possible. Lastly, thanks to the horse show managers who also strive to raise the bar so we can produce better riders and horses for our country.

See the whole Championship for yourself on usefnetwork.com