Summer is the height of horse show season and THF made the most of it! We enjoyed success at both local and national-level shows. Check out some of our highlights!

Avis Van Zomeren and Reedann’s Desperado (Raun) enjoyed some great moments this summer. Perhaps their best show of the season was at Central States, where they won the Amateur English Pleasure qualifier and championship in a field of 15 horses. This team has worked hard to come together and truly “clicked” at this show! They would later go on to win two blues at the Iowa State Fair as well.

Abby Van Kooten had quite the summer with her two horses, Million Dollar Kiss (Dinero) and Absolutely on Heir (Ichabod). She excelled at the ever-competitive Midwest Charity, earning reserve finishes in tough pleasure equitation classes.

Abby also made a solo journey to the famous Lexington Junior League Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park. In deep and packed classes, Abby and her “boys” earned top ribbons. Highlights include a unanimous win in the USEF Medal qualifier and a reserve in the pleasure equitation championship.

To cap off the summer before school started, Abby won the Adrian Bell trophy at the Iowa State Fair. This award has often been earned by THF riders, so we loved seeing Abby add her name to the list.

The Hartwick girls also enjoyed a successful summer with their trusty steed, My Tinker Toy (Andy). This season was Addison’s final one as a junior exhibitor, which made it extra special. She and Andy excelled in country pleasure, winning their qualifier at Midstates, a strong reserve finish at Central States, and then completing her junior exhibitor career by winning the championship at the Iowa State Fair. We are proud of Addison’s hard work and determination to be as successful as she was!

Addison’s sister, Ella, has certainly grown as an equitation rider this season. She had a clean sweep at Midstates – including earning a coveted championship neck ribbon. She also won the Good Hands qualifier at Central States by completing a perfect pattern. We’re excited to watch Ella continue to develop her equitation skills!

Cameron Knouse and CH HS First Day (Spencer) have enjoyed a stellar first season together. They won all of their classes at Midstates, which prepared them for the steep competition at Central States. When competing against world and national champions, Cameron and Spencer certainly belonged! They later went on to win at the Iowa State Fair as well. This team is so dynamic and fun to watch, we look forward to watching them growth together even more!

Gracie DeRonde and Copperhead Road (Copper) are continuing to develop as a team. With Gracie’s knee surgeries recently behind her and Copper learning to be an equitation horse, these two certainly faced some challenges. Their potential started to be realized at Central States – where they completed near-perfect patterns and earned some great ribbons in deep competition. Grace also was awarded reserve in the equitation championship at the Iowa State Fair after a strong ride. This pair is determined to succeed and we are excited for their future!

We’re grateful for the fun moments we had this summer and look forward to what the fall brings!