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Burbank, California. When Holly Dickinson, who shows in the twelve and under age group, rode in the CPHA Child/Adult Regional Medal Finals - Los Angeles last year, she trotted a few steps. “My horse thought we were done and I kind of took my leg off. The course was longer than any course we had ever jumped.” This year Dickinson knew what to expect, and another year of showing only polished her riding skills. “The first round was hard for me because it had lots of right bends. My horse likes to land left. Also, I was kind of nervous.” However, when she stepped into the ring, Dickison’s nerves vanished and she was all business. After all 31 riders completed the first round of the 3'0" course, Dickinson stood eighth.

The next day for the second round Dickinson’s nerves reappeared. “I think I was even more nervous because I really wanted to be in the top four.” Melissa Jones, part of the Karen Healey Stables training team knew just how to keep her young student’s focus. They concentrated on the course and Dickinson’s plan. “The second course was easier for me, and once I went in the ring then I wasn’t as nervous.” The judges rewarded her with an 85.5 and an 85, which put her in second going into the work off.

“It was pretty nerve-wracking when we went in the ring and got our instructions,” said Dickinson of the work off. “Everyone rode the work off really beautifully. I had no idea where we would place. Then they started calling the awards from 10th place and I thought to myself, ‘This is it.’ When they got down the just the two of us (Dickinson and Phoebe Novack) we just wished one another good luck.” Novack was called out for the reserve championship and Dickinson got to lead the victory gallop. “It was really exciting and I couldn’t stop petting my horse, Victor.” Next on the docket for Dickinson is the Onondarka Medal Finals in November at the Los Angeles National.

Gold Coast 7 (Oct. 19-22) is the host of the CPHA Child-Adult and Horsemanship Regional Medal Finals - Los Angeles. The CPHA Horsemanship Regional Finals are held at 2'6"-2'9" and provide an excellent opportunity for less experienced riders to get experience in a medal finals. Andrea Rudell, coached by Michelle Pacyna, topped the 35 rider field after two rounds and a work off. Amateur rider, Lea Ann Duncan rode her Emmylu to the reserve champion position. Duncan trains with Mary Gatti.

Gold Coast 7 was also the final show of the seven show Gold Coast Series. The Gold Coast Series allows riders to compete for championship awards without having to go to numerous shows all year long. Many riders seek to balance their riding with work, family, and other personal pursuits. Cindy Morris found out how great the seven show series was. “My horse got an abscess early in the year and then I hurt my back. We both had to take some time off,” said the amateur rider. Her college age daughter spent a semester studying in Australia, so Morris flew half way around the world to visit her daughter. Despite being laid up and taking the special trip, Morris was able to show at most of the Gold Coast shows and was rewarded for her efforts by winning the Amateur Equitation Championship. “I am extremely excited,” said Morris. “This is really great and I give so much credit to my trainer, Cindy Merritt for all her help.”

Karen Lucian is another amateur rider who picks and chooses her shows, and must balance her show schedule with the demands of her work for Wachovia. With her new horse, Keep the Change, Lucian swept the entire Rusty Stirrup Section. This ensured the Gold Coast Series championship for her. “I love showing at Los Angeles Equestrian Center. There is so much history here. It is wonderful to win, but to win at LAEC where it is steeped in history is such a thrill.” Keep the Change also swept the Pre-Green section and finished as the Gold Coast Series reserve champion. “He is just a really wonderful horse,” said Lucian beaming. She looks forward to moving up to the Low Adult and maybe even the Adult Amateur Hunters.

Nicole Husky, fresh from strong performances back east at Capital Challenge and the Pennsylvania National won the Equitation 15-17 Gold Coast Series championship. Jocelyn Neff was the 12-14 Equitation Series Champion and Ashley Brien was the 11 & Under Equitation Champion. Tara Spencer was the Pony Equitation series champion.

The Gold Coast Series will resume in February 2007 with Gold Coast 1. Complete results from Gold Coast 7, the 2006 Gold Coast Series, and the 2007 Langer Equestrian Group 2007 show scheduled are online at: www.langerequestrian.com. Langer Equestrian Group manages and produces hunter/jumper shows at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center (Burbank, CA), the Colorado Horse Park (Parker, CO), and the Horse Park at Woodside (Woodside, CA).

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