The $75,000 Adequan® Grand Prix drew a great crowd to the Colorado Horse Park (CHP) on Sunday as spectators and exhibitors alike watched 26 horse and rider combinations take on the course to conclude competition at Summer in the Rockies IV. The grand prix track was designed by world-renowned course designer Marina Acevedo and included a triple-combination in the first round that proved difficult for many of the contestants. Eight teams saw clear first rounds, and only four entries were able to clear the jump-off without fault. In the end, it was Christian Heineking claiming both first and second place on his own AJE Cluny and NKH LLC's NKH Quanto, respectively. AJE Cluny stopped the clock in 40.33 seconds while NKH Quanto crossed the timers in 41.40 seconds. John Pearce and his own Chantico finished third in 41.97 seconds. Karen Cudmore placed fourth aboard Blair Cudmore's Super Bad in 43.23 seconds. Heineking, originally from Germany, is married to Erin Davis-Heineking, who also competed in today's Grand Prix, claiming in sixth place aboard October Hill Hunters and Jumpers' Alamo. Together, the couple has a ten-month-old child. Explaining how he prepares for competitions like this, Heineking explained, "I try to get the horses ready [in] the way that they feel, do all the flatwork, and [work] on gymnastics." "Both of the horses [I rode today] are very different," Heineking said. "[AJE] Cluny is a pretty new horse. I got him a year ago, and he won a grand prix at [Colorado Horse Park] last year. He is 11 years old, and he is a little bit spooky. NKH] Quanto is a mount I have had for three years, and he is nine this year. He is just coming back from a colic, so I am very happy with him today." What is Heineking's advice to other riders? "Don't give up, work hard," the rider stated. Jodie Herring, Heineking's groom, has been working with him for two years. As part of the new groom's initiative, Jodie will take home $500 in recognition of her dedication to the sport and dedication to the winning horse and rider team. "It's pretty great that [both horses] got first and second," she said of the day's competition. The Savoy Stables Sportsmanship Award was also awarded on Sunday to Hannah Rohrbach during the break in the Coors Family Grand Prix Ring. The award is given to a junior or amateur rider, chosen by horse show officials and staff, that exemplifies consistent demonstration of the highest level of integrity, horsemanship, positive attitude, and courtesy.
