Hampton Green Farm's Offspring Earn Medals for Young Riders

Kerrigan Gluch and Vaquero HGF Photo: SusanJStickle.com

There is often an unusual bond that is formed between a rider and the Pura Reisa Espanola breed (PRE) that is a contributing factor to the harmonious picture created in the show ring. In the past two years, Hampton Green Farm has had two of their Michigan homebred offspring bring home medals for their Young Riders, and earn two USEF National Reserve Championships for yet another.

Kerrigan Gluch and Vaquero HGF took the Bronze in the Young Rider Freestyle in their first year in partnering with the stallion, and are currently ranked 6th in the USEF national standings. Canadian Junior rider Alexandra Meghi and HGF Iliado II earned the individual Bronze in 2014 in the Freestyle, were on the Gold Medal Canadian Junior Team in 2015, and finished 4th in the individual Freestyle in a class of over 40 riders. Both girls placed in the top 5 in the Individual Tests at their various levels as well.

Kerrigan Gluch and Vaquera HGF win Individual Bronze Photo: SusanJStickle.com

Vaquero HGF is a 2007 PRE Stallion by Cuatrero IV out of Encina, also bred in Michigan and Hampton Green Farm. He was trained by Daniel Martin Dockx and competed successfully at the Young Horse levels in Spain, where he was top ranked PRE as both a 5 year old and 6 year old. In this their first year at Young Riders, Kerrigan and Vaquero are ranked 6th in the USEF national standings.

"PREs compete well against warmbloods in the Junior and Young Rider Individual tests where a higher level of collection is required, which is easier for the PRE and rider than with many warmbloods." said Kimberly Van Kampen-Boyer, owner of Hampton Green Farm. "If the PRE has good extended gaits, especially the walk, the pair can compete with success against the best horses at the level, as Kerrigan and Vaquero have demonstrated this year. "

Alexandra Meghi and HGF Iliado II with trainer Tina Irwin

Iliado II is a 2005 PRE Gelding by Idilio II out of Ibiza, bred in Michigan at Hampton Green Farm. He was sold to Canada where he was trained by Jamey and Tina Irwin, who placed him eventually with Alexandra Meghi. Alexandra and Iliado are currently ranked in the top 35 Junior pairs worldwide. "Iliado is a pleasure to train daily! He is very smart and catches on quickly to new exercises.

One of his best qualities is that he never lets Alexandra down when competing." said trainer Tina Irwin. He is a true showman and rises to each occasion! He loves to compete and will give his all in the ring, whether it is extremely hot and humid or raining and muddy, this horse loves his job and will always show others what he is capable of. He is a true gem and I don't think that Alexandra could have had a better first horse to learn dressage with!"

Rachel Chowanec and Embrujado XI Photo: SusanJStickle.com

A PRE horse with quality can take the youth rider all the way from Juniors through U25, as Embrujado XI has done with two-time USEF National Reserve Champion Rachel Chowanec. Embrujado was born and trained in Spain and was acquired by Hampton Green then sold to Lendon Gray for Rachel Chowanec.

"He had learned some fancy tricks: the spanish walk, piaffe and passage and the most unique flying changes I had ever seen, " said Lendon Gray, "but trotting and cantering around an arena was a considerable challenge for him. Kim Boyer and I both thought a young girl who would give him time, attention, and no pressure might be what he needed. The partnership that developed between Rachel Chowenic and Embrujado  was truly remarkable. They helped to make each other formidable competitors as each bolstered the confidence of the other."