Ocala, FL -March 23, 2010 – Callan Solem was named the winner of the Catena Leading Grand Prix Rider award after accumulating 80 points with Quiet Winter Farm and BJ Maghan’s top mount Allison during the 2010 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. During the awards presentation at the $100,000 Deluca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, Allison was also presented with the Leading Mare Award for her remarkable efforts throughout the last eight weeks. On April 1st, Solem will be opening Callan Solem Show Stables with the support of Virginia and Collin McNeil in Chester Springs, PA.
“I have been competing at HITS Ocala for a number of years, but I have never won this award before and I am very proud of the accomplishment,” commented Solem. “Tracy Fenney, Tracy Magness, and I were all very close in the points at the end, and we are also good friends. The other week we were talking about how much we teach each other and push each other. I do not think that I would have gone as fast as I did in some of the jump off rounds if those two excellent riders were not behind me. I think it’s good competition, and we push each other to do better.”
Quiet Winter Farm and BJ Maghan purchased the 18-year-old mare at the age of six. For the past 12 years, Solem has had the opportunity to develop a long-lasting and successful partnership with Allison. “I am so grateful to her, she’s such a good horse and there are not enough awards for her,” expressed Solem after the emotional Leading Mare presentation. “She has such a special character and I think that everybody knows that. Before the presentation, I told Allison it was a lifetime achievement award, and I do not think she knew the difference.”
Solem was also victorious in the hunter divisions during this year’s HITS Ocala Winter Circuit aboard Virginia McNeil’s six-year-old Dutch Warmblood High Consul. The pair was not only awarded the Low Hunter Circuit Championship, but also the Pre-Green Hunter Reserve Circuit Championship.
“High Consul is a really lovely young horse, and he came along really well this year,” Solem said. “I think he has a really bright future and I enjoyed riding him; he is definitely on his way.”
Upon leaving Ocala, Solem will travel north to Chester Springs, PA, and begin preparing for the opening of Callan Solem Show Stables. This spring, Solem plans to compete at the HITS Culpeper Circuit, where she hopes to continue her successful year.
For more information about Callan Solem and Callan Solem Show Stables, please call 610-827-9003 or visit www.callansolem.com/.
