June 21, 2023 – San Juan Capistrano, CA – The American Tradition of Excellence Equitation Challenge, presented by Whitethorne LLC, concluded with a win for Kalea Iuliano on Wednesday, June 21, at the Blenheim June Classic II in San Juan Capistrano, CA.
Aboard Unique de la Chesnee, Iuliano, 14, rose to the top of a competitive field of 63 entries to earn the victory following two days and three rounds of jumping. Finishing in second place was Kylie Eynon of Rolling Hills Estates, CA, aboard Alleto, and Charlotte Rohlen of Atherton, CA, rounded out the top three riding Herradura.
The American Tradition of Excellence Equitation Challenge was created by Whitethorne LLC’s Georgy Maskrey-Segesman six years ago, and the uniquely formatted class has since continuously attracted many of the West Coast’s best and brightest junior and amateur riders.
On Tuesday, all of this year’s entries first took on a track designed by Karen Healey and built on the grass Oaks International Grand Prix Field at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park. Iuliano got things off to a strong start with a score of 90, putting her into second place behind Isabella de Bernardo who earned a score of 91 aboard Quirin.
“I think it’s an incredible experience for kids these days to be able to go out and jump on grass,” said judge Wendy Peralta. “It’s a rare privilege to be able to come out and learn how to jump on a surface other than a manicured, perfect ring that we see so often. These young riders and adults had to show that they were able to maneuver their horses through the courses, and all in all, they did a great job. I love the grass. I think it’s fantastic, just beautiful.”
From there, the prestigious class moved outside of the arena to The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel where riders participated in a mandatory evening session, one of the most unique aspects of the class.
During this second phase, riders had the opportunity to participate in a question-and-answer session with the judges, garnering feedback on the day’s rounds, after having already also received written comment cards on each of their individual rounds. Competitors also had the opportunity to ask questions of mental skills coach Tonya Johnston.
Armed with the feedback and knowledge that they received on Tuesday evening, the riders then returned on Wednesday in reverse order of their standings to again jump in front of judges Don Stewart and Peralta.
With a score of 89 in round two, Iuliano and her own Unique de la Chesnee, a 2008 Selle Francais gelding, moved into the lead heading into a final work-off between the top six riders. A test score of 87 then clinched Iuliano’s victory with a final combined score of 266.
“Coming into day two there was a bit of pressure, so I just wanted to keep it together in the test to stay on top,” explained Iuliano, who trains with Cassie Belmont of Belmont Training Stable. “Kylie [Eynon] went first and had a really nice ride, so that put the bar up. I enjoyed how it was a challenge in every round in different areas, practicing what I’ve been working on at home and bringing that to the ring. It’s a relief to have a nice outcome and have all the hard work pay off!”
After presiding over the class alongside Peralta, Stewart said, “It was a really nice class, and the horses were just right. I think the riders all rose to the occasion. Kalea was winning after the first round and was the most consistent. The test sort of fell into place, and there weren’t a lot of judgment calls to be made. I like a test that separates the riders and doesn’t leave a lot to the imagination, and I think we did a nice job of that.”
In speaking of the course that she designed and the riders’ performances over it, Healy added, “It didn’t matter what numbers you did in the lines. It was more about your pace and keeping it smooth. You had to get your horse around your leg and be able to ride the track. Having two hand gallops, one on the left and one on the right, really lets you show off your horse. I was very pleased with it all, and the top riders were able to analyze and ride it all correctly.”
As Iuliano expressed, Eynon was the first to go in the test and her “really nice ride” proved to be the best of the test, earning her a score of 88 and shooting her from sixth to second with a total score of 258.5.
“Going into the test, I just remembered what Don [Stewart] had said: that when you’re coming back in sixth, you have nothing to lose,” said Eynon, who rides with trainer Devon Gibson. “I know I have a hard time with my horse landing the right lead, so I had to walk and do the simple change. I wanted to do that coming out of the gate so that it was smooth. I felt the test was really well thought out.”
Peralta added, “We were very impressed. When [Eynon] tested, she did a beautiful job; she landed promptly, and the lead changes were textbook. She really put on the pressure.”
With Iuliano, Eynon and Rohlen claiming the top three spots, the remaining fourth through sixth place positions were filled by Isabella de Bernardo on Quirin, Kaitlyn Linck riding Caffe Corretto and Charley Stowell aboard Coltino, respectively.
For the win, Ecole Lathrop of Valencia Saddlery presented Iuliano with a new Butet Classic Grain Saddle. She was also awarded a Blenheim EquiSports picture frame and a Topline Design Ribbon Wreaths gift certificate.
As Iuliano’s winning trainer, Belmont received a $10,000 check.
“It’s such a unique class that we look forward to every year,” said Belmont. “I really want to give great credit to Georgy Maskrey for coming up with the class. She always has said that it’s about educating these kids and raising the level of equitation on the West Coast. Obviously, it’s a huge piece of that. These kids are rolling into finals season, and this always feels like a championship. With the Karen Healey courses and the top judges that give their comments, the dinner at the Ritz and the socializing for the kids, it’s definitely something that they look forward to and practice for. It’s just so exciting to get to come away with the win. The prizes for the riders, the prizes for the trainers, there’s nothing like it on the West Coast. It’s just so fun to be part of that and have the West Coast really representing and trying to bring high-quality classes and championships to these riders.”
Maskrey-Segesman concluded, “It was awesome; I always look forward to [this class]. I’m just so thankful that everybody – Don, Wendy, Tonya, Karen and Blenheim – does such a great job bringing the class into a reality. Every year I think it gets stronger. I feel like people really look forward to it. I’m really pleased and grateful to be a part of it.”
For full results of the American Tradition of Excellence Equitation Challenge, presented by Whitethorne LLC, click here. To learn more about competition at Blenheim EquiSports, visit ThePlaceToJump.com.
