The time allowed for the Welcome Stake course was 76 seconds, which proved challenging for many of the riders, but left multiple options for inside turns. Many of the competitors attempted to rise to the challenge, but the class saw a mere five riders advance to the jump-off. With the only double-clear round, Chenoa McElvain and Guy McElvain's Coco Colette ultimately earned the blue ribbon and the $6,000 first place prize. Chenoa McElvain, originally from New Mexico, has been riding Coco Colette, a ten-year-old Danish Warmblood, since the horse was five.
"It's our second year doing grand prixs together, so we are really starting to develop a relationship," McElvain explained. "I had high hopes for Coco today because she was super wild when I hacked her this morning, so I knew she was on it and ready to go!"
In regards to the course, McElvain detailed, "I thought the course was bigger and harder than last week, but I love Marina [Azevedo], she is a fabulous course designer, so I was really excited to ride it." McElvain then added, "I want to thank my trainer, John Pearce, who helped me a lot today with the course and my family for their support."
McElvain is also working with three other eight-year-old mounts. She is competing with them in the upcoming days of the show, and is hoping to move them up to grand prixs later on this year.
