Kennedy Eaton's mare København's Noble Charm, or "Haegan" as she is known around the barn, is not an equitation specialist - at least not until now. In fact, this year's Medal Finals were only the third time the mare had competed in the equitation ring.

 

"We got (Haegan) from Denmark about three years ago and she's only ever known the Jumper ring," Kennedy said. "(We) have had a successful partnership up to the 1.30m jumpers. She always comes out with the best attitude and ready to win. This year we began to market her for sale and got a lot of questions regarding her potential in the equitation ring. We felt like she would make a great equitation horse, but since speed and spunk are her biggest assets in the jumper ring, we wanted to make sure they wouldn't carry over to this new platform."

 

Well, those characteristics didn't carry over but the will to win did. In her equitation ring debut, Haegan and Kennedy qualified for the CHJA Medal Finals over the summer. But, the winning didn't stop there.

 

Under the guidance of her trainer Lorelei Cudney, Kennedy entered the finals as a way to give her mare more experience in her newfound talent. Again Haegan stepped up to the plate. The pair had a clean sweep in the CHJA Adult Medal winning all the phases and were Reserve Champion in the Ruth Ayres Medal. Needless to say, Haegan is no longer for sale and will be an integral part of this coming show season for Kennedy.

 

The Col. R.L. Robertson Medal saw Lauren Sciullo, who rides with Tracye Ferguson, repeat as champion. Lauren, who competes as a member of the Mullen cross country team, took a bit of a different approach in getting ready for this year's Finals.

 

"This year I prepared slightly differently for Medal Finals by doing at-home core workouts three nights a week and running three to five miles five days a week, so I could be in top physical shape," she said. "In addition, my trainer put a special riding program together to help me build strength and stamina. Tracye also had me either do an entire weekly hack without irons or an entire weekly hack in my two-point in preparation.”

 

The extra effort paid off. Lauren’s favorite round was the work-off in the Col. Robby.

 

“We were given a difficult test that was confusing,” she said. “I thought I knew the correct way to do it, but it scared me because I knew it would be hard, and if I made a mistake, I would lose my chance to win. After I completed the test, I knew I took a risk, but it was worth it because it helped me win.”

 

Lauren has been riding her horse Priam for two years. The 16.2H grey Holsteiner is named after a British Thoroughbred racehorse from the 1800s who was regarded by experts as one of the best horses to have raced in England up to that time. That name seems fitting given how much Lauren says he loves showing.

 

“Priam and I enjoy the equitation classes most because I think they are the most challenging and fun. We also do a few jumper classes to prepare for equitation classes and we occasionally do hunter classes as well.”

 

Arvada seventh grader Aedan Mooney won the White Harvest Farm High Point Stirrup Rider Award riding her pony Shining Star, a mount she’s been paired with for less than a year. It was Aedan’s first time to compete at the Finals and she adored every minute of it.

 

“It was really cool to see the older riders. I loved watching their rounds and learning from them,” she said. “The big stadium, jumps and atmosphere were so pretty - it wasn't too terrifying. It was a good and fun experience. And it was great to see everybody, especially all the friends I made this year.”

 

There was only one round in the Stirrup competition. According to Aedan, her pony was on from the moment they stepped into the arena. She had a plan and the pair executed it perfectly. Plus, “the rollback felt like butter,” Aedan laughed.

 

Aedan trains with her mother, Brannon, which can create some interesting … issues. On the one hand, it is easier since mother and daughter spend so much time together. For instance, Brannon knows if Aedan needs a break (or a snack) when she’s struggling. But on the other hand, straddling that fine line between pushing Aedan and supporting her can be difficult.

 

“I think all trainers deeply ponder blending the right amounts of push and support,” Brannon said. “Aedan is an intensely serious little student who pushes herself very hard. Often my role is to help her lighten up, breathe and keep the long view in perspective – hard concepts for such a young person to grasp. I also try to gain insights from other parent/trainers in our community and expose Aedan to other teachers and clinicians so she'll develop into her own self as a rider.”

 

And then there’s the standing at the in-gate watching a student, who also happens to be your daughter, compete. When asked if there was a time that Brannon knew Aedan had won the class, she responded honestly.

 

“I held my breath until that final halt. The smile on Aedan’s face as she left the arena was priceless s – as were the tears when she heard her scores.”

 

The full list of Medal Finals results are available on the CHJA Website. Congratulations to all our riders, horses and trainers who participated!