SHOW RESULTS

Our Iberian Warmblood mare, Vistosa, has now competed in two A-Circuit Jumper shows (maximum fence height 110m or 3'3").  In these shows, the 4-Year-Old Jumper Development Series, you receive two scores: a score out of 50 for the ride (if you knock a pole or refuse a jump, 5 points are deducted), and a score out of 50 for technique (scope, bascule, pace, etc.).

In her very first show EVER on June 18, we rode a clear round and received 50 points.  Vistosa also caught the eye of the judge and was awarded 31 points for technique for a total of 81 points.  Sadly, in attempt to keep her calm for her first show, she received one time fault for a total of 80 points because she was TOO calm!  The winner of the show received 86 points in total, so we weren't too far off!

At her second show on July 2, Vistosa found her courage and jumped an incredible round.  She jumped superbly but knocked one pole in a combination thereby earning 45 points for the round (one pole down, -5 points).  The judging for technique, however, was very questionable as we were only awarded 24 points for the round for a total score of 69.  The winning score was 96 and scores ranged as low as 28; very dissimilar to our first show.  I was quite displeased with our technique score (24) since, in a jumper course, the fastest horse with a clear round wins and the purpose of this young horse series is to develop JUMPERS not HUNTERS, and the ability to maneuver quickly around a challenging course should be rewarded.  This judge had decided to deduct marks for horses that were "fast" around the course.  The maximum time allowed was 74 seconds.  The winner jumped the course in 70 seconds... Vistosa was the fastest at 56 seconds.  She really was not fast at all, but at 16.2hh at four years old, she covers quite a bit of ground!  There is a wonderful (but small) video of her online jumping a combination at www.superiorhorse.net/visphoto-frame.html (which has been reduced in speed only slightly for better viewing) so you can judge for yourself.

Vistosa will be competing in up to three more shows this year with Christina Kirwan as her rider/trainer.  Given the magnitude of these shows, Vistosa's incredible willingness and talent, and her ability to successfully compete against members of the Canadian Olympic Team (Hugh Graham, Beth Underhill and Erynn Ballard), Vistosa may be offered on conditional sale only pending all remaining shows, and possession will only occur following our show season (September).  Preference will be given to interested parties who will be showing Vistosa in future years (dressage, hunter/jumper or other).  Depending on the results of her remaining shows and the interest generated by potential buyers, we may retain Vistosa for our breeding program and continue her training in hopes of showing Grand Prix and producing future premium foals.  Vistosa will be bred to Medallion in a few years and her foal will be available for sale.  We will keep you posted to her progress.