| For Immediate Release October 4,
2007
Miles
and McKinlaigh Clinch the CIC*** Title at Twin Rivers Horse Trials
By
Emily Daily
Paso Robles, CA - Gina Miles and McKinlaigh galloped
away with the win in the CIC*** at Twin Rivers Horse Trials, this year's last
USEA/Adequan Gold Cup series event. The pair incurred only a single time fault
in show jumping, but left all the rails neatly in their cups to finish with a
score of 72.7. The stunning 17-hand Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Thom Shulz
and Miles performed beautifully this weekend, after having just come back
from the Pan American Games in Rio, Brazil with a bronze individual medal and
team gold. Miles said making the time on cross-country wasn't a huge issue
for her, as she mainly hopes to keep McKinlaigh sound and healthy for next year's
Olympic Games. A local Californian, Miles was glad to support her local
event and was even more thrilled with Mac's efforts around the solid course.
Jennifer
Wooten and The Good Witch dropped a single rail to fall from second to third
place, and Andrea Baxter and Estrella were quick to pick up the slack and
take over her position. Baxter and her and her mother Connie's mare were
the only competitors in the division of eight to complete a double-clear show
jumping round. The Baxters own the prestigious Twin Rivers Ranch event facility
and Andrea had quite the cheering squad after her fantastic round. Canadian
Hawley Bennett and Pamela and John Hudson's handsome chestnut SplendoroftheSun
dropped several rails, but maintained their fourth place position. In the
Intermediate division of the Gold Cup series, which happened to be the CIC**,
Leigh Mesher and Mar De Amor maintained their overnight lead with
a lovely double-clear round on Sunday afternoon, one of only two in the 13-strong
division to finish fault-free. The bay gelding competed in jumper classes as a
youngster, so he made the last phase of the competition look like a piece of cake
as he cantered nimbly around the course, not touching a single rail. Mesher
admitted that she was a little nervous yesterday on cross-country because skinny
jumps are usually a little hard for her, but she said her horse was honest straight
out of the gate and answered every question the course presented. Tory
Smith and her Bantry Bay V maintained their second place standings even after
dropping a single rail, as did Julie Ann Boyer and Rumor Hazit. Saturday's
fourth place contender Barbara Crabo and Groovy dropped in the standings
after pulling two rails, and Shar Martin and Drumerone were quick to take over
their position. Thanks to the generosity of the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series
sponsors, Miles will go home with $500 cash, a seven-dose pack of Adequan,
pair of SCS3 boots from Mountain Horse, fly sheet from Back on Track, Nunn Finer
American Style brushing boots, saddle pad from Ogilvy Horse, grooming tote with
a three-month supply of Wellpride Omega-3 fish oil, Nutrena feed, and a gift certificate
for $175 worth of products from World Equestrian Brands. Mesher received
all of the above for her CIC** win, but instead of the SCS3 boots will receive
a Cirrus 3-season jacket from Mountain Horse. Both Baxter and Smith
received a pair of Nunn Finer brushing boots, No Bow wraps from Back on Track,
and a gift certificate for $75 worth of products from World Equestrian Brands. Stay
tuned for more USEA/Adequan Gold Cup updates as the series champions will soon
be announced! The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through
the support of its many sponsors: Title: Adequan; Legacy: Nunn Finer, Nutrena,
and World Equestrian Brands; Contributing: Cover-All, UlcerGard, and Wellpride;
and Patron: Back on Track, Mountain Horse, Ogilvy Horse, and Platinum Performance. For
more information on the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series, click on the Gold Cup logo
on the USEA website homepage. For more information on the Twin Rivers Horse Trials,
including complete results, visit www.twinriversranch.us. | 