With 22 riders, the class proved was the highlight of the Barrington Saddlery Medals Final Day. It proved the most challenging of all the year-end medal finals sections held at the Lamplight Equestrian Center, with some of the top equitation riders in the Midwest vying for the championship titles in their respective divisions. Boyle showed dexterity and finesse across the technical track, vaulting to the top of the ranks with Laredo to take the win.
The course, designed by Hector Loyola and Show Manager Patrick Boyle, asked riders to demonstrate rhythm and handiness. The beginning and end of the course allowed riders to demonstrate their skills with tighter turns and the option to choose from a series of different tracks. Option jumps and snake jumps gave equitators a chance to show their handiness and strategizing skills as they chose which panel to jump. The middle of the course asked riders to demonstrate rhythm with a series of obstacles, one after the other, all of which demanded a consistent pace.
Each round was different as riders picked their route to land a spot in the final work off. Caitlin Boyle earned the top score of the first round with her high score of 90, the highest scoring round of the day. Judges called back the top five riders with scores of 81 or above, for additional testing. Rebecca Kozma, Madison Potts, Noelle Gortsema and Paige Matthies joined Boyle in the work off.
Judges Danny Robertshaw and Bucky Reynolds asked the riders to canter jumps 8 and 7, hand gallop 4 at the opposite end of the ring, trot fence 5, canter fence 15 across the ring on a diagonal, halt and return to line at the extended rising trot. Most of the riders had difficulty showing the gallop or the extended trot, but Boyle was able to demonstrate both well. Her smoothness across the course and confidence captured the win.
Boyle, 17, has had huge success in the equitation ring this 2013-2014 year with a lengthy resume to show for it.
Boyle adds the IHJA Junior Medal Victory to her remarkable accomplishments:
Won Hunterdon Cup at East Coast Junior Hunter finals
Won Sportsmanship award at Junior Hunter finals
Won the RW Mutch Challenge Trophy for equitation excellence at Devon
Won the Honey Craven Perpetual Memorial Trophy at Devon
Won the ASPCA Maclay at Devon
Won the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search at Devon
Second in the WIHS Jumper phase at Devon
Second in the Pessoa/USEF Medal at Devon
Won Showplace Equitation Championship in June
Recipient of Monica Fowler Equitation Trophy at Spring Spectacular
Won 2013 Zone 5 Horsemanship Class
In 2013 Boyle finished 11th in the USEF Medal Finals, 4th in the WIHS Equitation Finals and 11th in the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals.
She rides with Freddie and Jodi Vazquez at Messenger Hill Farm in Chicago, also training at Heritage Farm with Andre Dignelli and Patricia Griffith in Katonah, NY. Her father, show manager Patrick Boyle, is also a major contributor to her training. Caitlin heads to
"I want to thank Barrington Saddlery for sponsoring the IHJA Medal Finals," Caitlin said. "I also want to thank Kim Gardiner for helping me as I was growing up and Freddie Vazquez for helping me now along with Heritage Farm. Of course, I can't forget my dad for always being there, and Michaela Kennedy for the fabulous horse Loredo."
Caitlin won the Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Finals yesterday with ease. Today the scores were a bit tighter creating more pressure for the young talent. "Pressure is a good thing," Caitlin remarked. "It means you really want to win. It helps me to prepare because Finals are right around the corner. Having that pressure is really good practice. I feel really prepared, and I think my horse will peak and be ready, as well."
Caitlin is focused on riding as a career and plans to attend college. She will definitely be one to watch as her career builds momentum.
For more information on the Showplace Productions Fall Classic Championship Horse Show or the IHJA Medal Finals, please visit www.showplaceproductions.com.
