Thermal, Calif. – Dec. 11, 2021 – Equitation riders took to the Grand Eq/Jumper 3 Arena on Saturday morning to vie for top honors in the coveted ASPCA Maclay Medal. Some of the country’s top equitation riders took their turn over the nine-obstacle course set by Nick Granat, hoping for a top placing amongst the 17 brilliant junior athletes. The top 13 horse and rider combinations were invited back for a flat test where the judges asked the riders to remove their stirrups from their saddles before entering the ring. Next, they were tested on their flatwork abilities and, in the end, Gable Gering and her new mount, H De Revel, came out on top to take home the victory. Audrey Carmody and Colany 9 took home the red ribbon, while Jake Endicott and Class Act were awarded third place. 

Gable Gehring and H De Revel

Gering and her very own H De Revel, a 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, were the third pair in the ring to try their hand over the challenging course. The dynamic pair quickly caught the judges’ eyes after laying down a seemingly picture-perfect round. Gering navigated H De Revel throughout the tactful and testing course, demonstrating beautiful equitation over each fence and keeping her mount on an open canter, meeting each jump with grace and perfect form. They were invited back for the final testing over the flat and once again stood out from the pack, perfectly demonstrating excellent flatwork without stirrups. The judges asked several questions in the flat, including several changes of lead, counter cantering in each direction, and several forward sitting trots, helping to showcase their flatwork abilities. In the end, Gering and H De Revel took home the victory and were awarded for their consistency and flawlessness over the flat and jumping rounds. 

Audrey Carmody and Colany

Shortly after Gering, fellow competitor Carmody and Colany 9, a 6-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Carmody, were next on course and demonstrated a beautiful equitation round. The pair was awarded for their flowing pace, consistency and fantastic form over each fence. Carmody entered the flat phase determined to keep her high standing and impress the judges with her excellent flat work. She continued to be a force to reckon with, floating across the ground and demonstrating great flatwork and form, securing them the red ribbon against a competitive group of junior riders. 

Jake Endicott and Class Act

Endicott and Class Act, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Ashland Farms, helped to round out the top three after demonstrating a proper and fluid equitation round, helping them to keep a top spot in the class. Class Act is no stranger to the equitation ring and most recently helped Mitch Endicott take home third in the  $10,000 Valencia Saddlery DIHP 3’3” Pro Equitation Challenge on Thursday. The dynamic pair was awarded in the over fences and under saddle class for their picture perfect form as they flowed throughout the course meeting each jump with grace and a fluid pace. 

Equitation competition will continue in the Grand Eq/Jumper 3 Arena on Sunday, December 12, at 8 a.m. with the CPHA Foundation Equitation Medal and will conclude the end of the Desert Holiday series with the DIHP Adult Equitation Medal. 

FROM THE WINNERS CIRCLE 

Gable Gering – Winner of the ASPCA Maclay Medal 

On H De Revel:
“He came out of the 1.35m jumpers last year. I have had him for less than a year so this is his first season jumping the big equitation classes. We started him in the jumper-equitation classes and this is his first big win in the Maclay. We just came from the Junior Hunters and we got an 86 out there so he truly is a very versatile guy.” 

On plan going into the course:
“My plan was to keep him consistent because he can get a little uneven or swap. We didn’t have any swaps or any rubs so I kept him up. He was super.” 

On future plans:
“I definitely plan on all of the big equitation classes. We won the USET 2* this week as well. Hopefully we can go to USET Finals and then go back east for all of the indoor finals. Hopefully this win qualified me for Maclay Finals 2022.” 

On Desert International Horse Park:
“It is so nice to be here. The improvements are great and our barn is so close to the equitation ring which is very nice. It is such a nice facility and my horses love it here. The big warm-up rings are a big plus, especially when you are trying to get them going forward before you go into the ring. I am here for the majority of the circuit and I am really looking forward to it this year. I have two equitation horses so we will be switching them out over the course of the eight weeks.” 

RESULTS 

ASPCA Maclay Medal
Horse / Rider / Owner 

  1. H De Revel / Gable Gering / Gable Gering 
  2. Colany 9 / Audrey Carmody / Audrey Carmody 
  3. Class Act / Jake Endicott / Ashland Farms 
  4. Unbreakable Z / Avery Rose Glynn / Maile Smith 
  5. Shakiro / Sophia Bruny / Sophia Bruny 
  6. Cingsley / Madison Sanders / Ingenium Farm 
  7. Garibaldi / Clea Caddell / Spyglass Hill 
  8. Lexington Von Darco / Makena Bloebaum / Makena Bloebaum