Markel/Cornerstone High Point Series Winners at the Festival of the Horse Burbank
By Lynndee Kemmet and Lita Dove for DressageDaily.com

Karen Ball and Carlavall

One person who was a bit surprised by her high score honor was open high score winner Karen Ball, of Coto de Caza, California. She earned it with Carlavall, a five-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by junior rider Kelli Newton. “It was a fluke,” said Ball of the pair’s 76.00 percent score in Training Level Test 3. She had ridden him days before the show in a clinic with Scott Hassler and said the horse wasn’t quite himself during the clinic, but then just days after, he turned into a wonder horse. “It was like, ‘wow, what happened?’”

Carlavall’s owner rides with Ball. “She’s owned him since December, so we’re just getting to know him and haven’t had him long enough to know what will happen if we push him,” Ball said. “He’s a huge horse and he’s got lots of movement.” Ball said she’s certain Carlavall will be a good FEI horse for Martin, who also rode him in the show. But the horse is young and strong and Ball said he can still be a bit intimidating. “He’s 17.1 hands and he can pack a punch when he wants to.”

Ball is the instructor for the junior/young rider high score winner – Mackinzie Pooley who earned a 69.487 percent in Third Level Test 1. Ball describes the 14-year-old rider as “awesome.” She said the youngster has long been following in the footsteps of some of Ball’s other young riders. “So I’m happy to see her step out of their shadows. I’m really happy for her that she’s winning as much as she is this year,” she said.

McCool Photo: Brandon and Lisa Seger present Markel/Cornerstone High Point Series cooler to Karen Ball and Carlavall