Paso Robles, Calif.—Nov. 7  

Lindsay Archer finished up the Central California Horse Show Series in the best possible way—with her first grand prix win.

Archer rode Camerone to the top of the $25,000 Oak Tree Grand Prix at the Paso Robles Horse Park. “I knew I needed to put in a solid first round,” said an emotional Archer. “There is a lot of excitement around a bigger class like this, so I needed to keep it calm and together. My husband and I are so grateful to [owner] Catherine Harvey with Rhys Farms!”

Lindsay Archer was a bit overcome with emotion during the awards for the $25,000 Oak Tree Grand Prix. Photo by Alden Corrigan

The Archers run Shady Lane Farm in Alamo, Calif., a training and sales business. Lindsay just took over the ride on Camerone—Nicole Bloom had shown the Swedish Warmblood to the grand prix level.

The testing grand prix course from Marina Azevedo covered the entire Fairway Field Grand Prix arena, including two combinations and lovely long lines.

“I like the course, maybe it’s a little tough for the green horses,” said Azevedo of her work. “With the grass and the lighting you change the angles a bit, but overall it is good.”

The course allowed three horse-rider combinations into the jump-off: Lindsay aboard Camerone, Alicia Foster and Zubliem and Susan Hutchison on Ziedento. Foster went first in the jump-off and put in a clear round with a tidy time. Lindsay marched in after Foster, commanding the ring with a clear round and a faster time to move into first place.

Last but not least, Hutchison headed in determined to out-jump the competition. Hutchison had the time to win, but had an unfortunate rail, leaving Lindsay victorious, winning her first career grand prix!

Lindsay Archer and Camerone on their way to the win. Photo by Alden Corrigan

“So far their partnership is looking good,” said Catherine Harvey, owner of Camerone. “Last week Matt won [a 1.35-meter class] on Think Big, this week with Lindsay on Camerone—it’s a pretty sweet way to start a future. I’m totally excited to see what 2016 brings and seeing what this pair will do together, but so far the future looks bright!”

$25,000 Oak Tree Grand Prix

John French and Soldier led the victory gallop of the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. Photo by Alden Corrigan

John French is on a roll in the Fairway Field Grand Hunter at the Fall Central California Horse Show Series, capturing the top two spots and fourth in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby after winning the USHJA National Hunter Derby the week before.

French’s first place came aboard Elizabeth Gabler’s Soldier, and second went to French and Maritime, also owned by Gabler. Third place went to Hope Glynn on Karen Trione’s Full Circle, and French earned fourth place aboard Small Gesture, owned by Georgy Maskrey-Segesman.

“It’s nice to be able to show on a big grass field and I think the horses liked the course,” said French of his experience on the Fairway Field Grand Hunter. “There were some very nice natural obstacles that were inviting for them to jump. The horses jumped well, it was a great course.”

The exquisite course was the work of course designer John Manning and included three solid derby jumps, courtesy of Twin Rivers Ranch, who lent them to the show. The beautifully flowing course included four high options in both rounds and tested the technical finesse of the horses and riders with tight roll back turns. 

“It’s very validating to have one of the best hunter riders ever to win the derby,” said course designer John Manning. “I felt like we had a lot of real derby jumps, three solid obstacles, a snake jump, a lot of brush and traditional hunter jumps, including four high options on a big grass field. It doesn’t get any better than that for a hunter course designer! It’s a beautiful setting for a derby and as we develop I think we will have more real derby jumps on the property!”

$25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby