Horsesdaily News: Deidre Catani and Rapunzel Race to Top of $15000 Jumper Challenge

Deidre Catani and Rapunzel Race to Top of $15000 Jumper Challenge

Upper Marlboro, MD – October 5, 2004 – Deirdre Catani of Duxbury, Mass., is familiar with leading the victory gallop in the Show Place Arena. In 2003 she topped the Ariat National Adult Medal Finals. But this year the 23-year-old moved in to the adult jumpers riding Rapunzel and bested the field in the $15000 Children’s/Adult Jumper Challenge during the first evening performance at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, MD.

Out of the large field of 39 riders, ten returned for the jumpoff. Although there were eight with double-clear rounds, Catani posted the fastest time of 28.353 seconds to secure the win. The closest competitor was Jan Marie Milani who rode Bob to a clear go in 28.578 seconds.

Catani was thrilled with her finish saying, “I’m so excited about it. I never thought it would happen because I’m so new to the jumpers.”

Rapunzel is a small black mare, only 15.2, but her energy makes up for her size. “She’s so awesome,” said Catani. “She just wants to go in there and win. She doesn’t want to have any rails down.

“She’s got a lot of energy but you can always get her back,” said Catani. “You can add 25 strides in front of the jump. She’ll do anything you ask.”

Following the pinning of the Jumper Challenge two awards were given out. The first was awarded to the best children’s jumper rider Jane Wiley from Vernon, NJ, who rode Smart Alec to the top of the children’s jumper class on Monday morning. The second award went to the best adult jumper rider, Illinois resident Jan Marie Milani, who rode Bob to the top of the adult jumper class on Monday morning.

In the Second Year Green Working Hunter division it was a close point race for the championship. Peter Pletcher tied Todd Minikus with 21 points, but Pletcher of Magnolia, Texas, piloted Ocean Park to more points over fences to pick up the tricolor. In the first day of classes Pletcher picked up a fifth and a seventh over fences and a third in the hack.

“He really needed a nap yesterday,” said Pletcher. But today was different was a different story. He added, “I knew as soon as I got on him today that he was up for giving me his all.” Ocean Park won each of his fence rounds on the second day.

Ocean Park is a nine-year-old, 16’3 hand Warmblood, owned by Lynn Walsh of Magnolia Texas.

“He’s an easy keeper, doesn’t spook and is very forgiving. He’s just a great horse” she said proudly. The dark bay gelding lives at home with his owner and Walsh ships to Pletcher’s farm for lessons on a regular basis. Walsh rides Ocean Park in the Older Amateur Owner Division and will compete in those classes on Wednesday and Thursday at Capital Challenge.

Picking up the reserve championship in the Second Year Green Working division was Minikus riding Lexus. The seven-year-old, bay gelding is owned by Booth Parker of Raleigh, NC. On the first day of the division Minikus collected a first and a third over fences, and a second in the hack. Today he placed third and fifth in the final two classes of the division.

In the regular working hunter division Gray Slipper demonstrated his consistency with Louise Serio in the irons. The eight-year-old gelding won both over fence classes on the first day of showing and returned for the second day of classes to pick up a second and a first to clinch the championship. Gray Slipper is an eight-year-old owned by Bridget Hallman.

The Capital Challenge Horse Show runs through Sunday, October 10 and will showcase the nation’s best hunters and jumpers. Wednesday’s schedule includes the World Champion Hunter Rider Professional Challenge and the $20,000 Future Hunter World Championship.

The $40,000 Ariat Congressional Cup Grand Prix is the highlight of the jumper action. Held at 7:30pm on Saturday, October 9 the FEI World Cup Qualifying class is a great opportunity to witness US Equestrian Team veterans tackle a demanding course. As always admission to the show is free and classes run in two rings throughout the day. Evening classes are held Tuesday through Saturday. Results, photos and the time schedule can be found on the Capital Challenge website: www.capitalchallenge.org . For more information on the Capital Challenge Horse Show call (301) 260-2467 prior to the show or (301) 952-7944 during the show.