Carly Coles and Contessa, owned by Claire Parr – $1,500 Marshall & Sterling Children's Jumper Classic Winners. Photo by Mary Adelaide Brakenridge

Carly Coles: “I’m leasing Contessa for the summer from Claire Parr in Matt Cyphert’s barn. The first day I showed her, I had no idea what I was doing. After that, she’s been really fun, probably one of the most fun horses I’ve ever ridden. I’m excited to show her and get to know her.” “We just moved out to Colorado last summer from Wellington, FL, where I lived my whole life before this. We’ve been coming out here every year since I was 4. I have friends here I’ve known since I was 4. The weather is pretty nice, especially when we lived in Florida. That’s what we looked forward to – Colorado for the summer!”

Rylee Shufelt and her own Camelot – $2,500 Colorado Horse Park Pony Hunter Derby Winners. Small/Large Pony Hunter Champions. Photo by Flying Horse Photography

Rylee Shufelt: “Camelot was awesome in the hunter derby this year. I’m very proud of him. He’s a really good pony, and he’s changed a lot over the two years I’ve had him. He moved up to another level. I’m now getting used to my junior hunter, Rock Star (Junior Hunter 3’3″ champion this week), and my eq horse, Capiche, is teaching me how to do the equitation.”

Emily Ecclestone and Lyric, owned by Laurie Cunningham – $2,500 CHP Children's/Adult Hunter Derby Winners. Photo by Flying Horse Photography

Emily Ecclestone: “This was our first big show and first big class at the 3′. It worked out really well! I was very nervous – we did the Non Thoroughbred Hunters at the beginning of the week and had some little kinks to work out. But the hunter derby went really well, so I was happy about that!” “This is my second time competing at Summer in the Rockies, and I really like it. I used to live in Florida and ride there and go up to Kentucky, and it’s a similar environment. It’s fun, and I get to know different people and new faces every time.”

Taylor Cowles and her own Dante Z – $1,500 Marshall & Sterling Adult Jumper Classic Winners. Photo by Mary Adelaide Brakenridge

Taylor Cowles: “I got her two years ago, but I had a bad back, so I just got back into it with her about a year ago. very earnest and competitive. She’s kind of long and fast and you have to put her together, which I’m just learning how to do. I’m from Virginia and this is my second time here. It’s beautiful scenery, the people are friendly and the courses have been great.”

Hannah Rohrbach and Ultimo DHD, owned by NTM Enterprises – Green Pony Hunter Champions. Photo by Mary Adelaide Brakenridge

Hannah Rohrbach: “He’s a very good boy and he jumps really well. I just have to make him go up the lines or he’s going to slow down and not get the right strides. This is a really nice show – I like everything about it! I’m very excited to watch my dad (Paul Rohrbach) whenever he rides in the grand prix. Let’s go, Daddy!”

Natalia De Vencenty: “I got ‘Charles’ a year ago and this is our second show season. He has a prince-like personality, and he thinks he’s so cool. He is really fun to ride – he’s just fabulous. When he goes in the show ring, his ears go forward. He’s very happy to do his job. I also have quarter horses and I do the all-around with them. I plan to keep competing in both western and English.”  “The Colorado Horse Park is awesome. It is a really fun environment, it has nice arenas, and it’s a great place to show, with big numbers in the classes.”

An enthusiastic participant in the stick horse race – Photo by Lauren Buettner

A stick horse race kicked off Saturday’s $30,000 McElvain Energy Grand Prix. Following the Grand Prix, the Colorado Horse Park hosted a competitors’ party featuring an authentic chuckwagon supper provided by Kit Haddock. Live music by The Country Music Project and a mechanical bull completed the western theme.The party was one of many fun events enjoyed by Summer in the Rockies competitors. On Thursday, the Colorado Horse Park hosted a free guided trail ride over its extensive trail system with beautiful mountain views. The Wild West Ranch provided horses for the popular trail ride, which was led by CHP’s own Carole Kenney.

The Westernaires, a mounted precision drill organization composed of Jefferson County, Colorado, youth from 9 to 19 years of age, gave an exhibition on Friday afternoon featuring a large, highly coordinated drill team as well as stunt riders.Click here for full results from Summer in the Rockies III. Visit the Colorado Horse Park’s website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter for updates throughout Summer in the Rockies.  The Colorado Horse Park is now set up to accept online entries for all three remaining weeks of Summer in the Rockies! Visit entries.showmanagementsystem.com to set up your account and follow the tutorial to enter. If you need stalls for Weeks IV or V, please contact Pat Boyle at (847) 274-6834 or Geoff Combs at (720) 318-5968 for availability, as those weeks are nearly sold out.