Ocala, FL -March 10, 2010 – Callan Solem and Allison topped a field of 24 competitors during the $50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix at HITS Ocala on Sunday, March 7, 2010, after completing a double-clear effort. The pair completed the technical jump-off round in a time of 41.454 seconds to beat Tracy Fenney aboard MTM Timon, and Taylor McMurtry riding Just an Illusion. Solem is an elite rider who will be opening Callan Solem Show Stables beginning April 1st with the support of Virginia and Collin McNeil in Chester Springs, PA.
Five riders completed fault-free efforts over Danny Foster’s first round course to advance to the short course in the weekend’s grand prix. Solem was the third rider to show over the jump-off course aboard Allison, and with Fenney and McMurtry following, she knew she would have to be flawless. The duo made all the inside turns and left each fence standing as they blazed home in a time of 41.454 seconds, which no one else would be able to catch. Solem and Allison’s excellent performance earned them their third grand prix victory of the season and $15,000 in prize money.
“Aaron [Vale], Tracy Fenney, and Tracy Magness are three of the fastest riders around, so you know it’s not going to be an easy class to win when those three are in the jump-off,” said Solem. “Fortunately I got to go third, so I saw that Tracy [Magness] and Aaron had one down in the jump-off. Allison feels great and she’s been jumping really well, so I felt like I had to try to win the class. With Tracy Fenny still behind me, I tried to do my best and do all the inside turns. Allison was just great; she’s such a nice horse!”
Solem recently had surgery for a broken finger and had to show the 18-year-old Warmblood mare, owned by Quiet Winter Farm and BJ Maghan, with an awkward cast on her left hand. “It gets a little complicated with the reins because I can’t shorten them without using my other hand,” she explained. “I’ve ridden Allison with the flu, with a broken arm, and with a hurt knee, so she knows I’m doing the best I can and that’s sort of how our relationship works. We try to pick up the slack for each other when we know that the other one isn’t feeling their best. I’ve definitely carried her around a few courses and I would say she did a nice job carrying me around on Sunday.”
With their success this season Solem and Allison will be able to set their sights on the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. The pair still needs a few more grand prix competitions to qualify for the event, but they have planned their schedule with the hopes of being able to compete. “Allison is at the point in her life that she doesn’t owe anyone anything, and whatever she feels like doing she does,” noted Solem. “I would love to be able to ride her in that class if she feels like it. Our plan right now is to try and qualify, and then when it’s closer we’ll decide what’s right for her.”
Solem is thrilled to have this victory as she moves closer to opening Callan Solem Show Stables. She commented, “I think we’re going to have a great operation, and it’s definitely nice to have a little momentum going into that change.”
For more information about Callan Solem and Callan Solem Show Stables, please call 610-827-9003 or visit www.callansolem.com/.
