Week four of the Summer In The Rockies Series (SIR) concluded at The Colorado Horse Park (CHP) on Sunday, July 2, after a week of top hunter, jumper, and equitation competition. Karen Cudmore of Omaha, NE, and Southern Pride, achieved their second major win of the 2017 SIR circuit, after clinching the $60,000 Horseware® Ireland Grand Prix on Saturday, July 1, which featured a competitive line-up and a well-executed jump track.
Cudmore and the 19-year-old Holsteiner stallion (South Pacific x Blanka) owned by Blair Cudmore, bested the class after a speedy jump-off round, stopping the timers at 43.029 seconds. Second place was awarded to Michelle Parker of San Marcos, CA, and Doriena, owned by Idyllic Imports, after an impressive first round, followed by a jump-off time of 44.077 seconds. Parker also grasped the third-place spot with Cupilor, owned by Cross Creek Farms, Inc., after a quick jump-off time of 40.381 seconds, and four faults that kept the pair out of first place.
Cudmore commented, “This was the only class I did with Southern this week. In the first round, he felt good, crisp and sharp. It was a really suitable jump-off for him, and I kind of went crazy on the last line thinking that I may not leave out the stride, but he got down there easy enough. He jumped just as good in the second round as he did the first.”
The pair is having a successful summer circuit, as they also won the SIR III $50,000 FarmVet Grand Prix last week. The duo has been partnered together for majority of Southern Pride’s career and Cudmore is tactful about when and where she competes the impressive stallion.
“I’m super proud of him,” Cudmore continued. “I thought the course designer did a great job, it was a fun track and he got the right numbers for how many people were competing. It was just a fantastic class tonight.”
Cudmore and Southern Pride have performed consistently and impressively in their stay so far at CHP. Cudmore noted their success so far this season and her love for the venue. She said, “He’s always loved coming to Colorado. He thrives with the laid back atmosphere and we really love the venue. This year the footing has been great, the people have been great, and we are so grateful to be here.”
Michelle Parker and Cupilor set the bar high earlier in the week, galloping to a win in the $20,000 Wild Horse Wines Welcome Stake on Thursday June 29. The duo completed the jump-off in 37.246 seconds to secure victory. Following in second place with a time of 39.287 seconds was Matt Cyphert of Northlake, TX, piloting Hannah Donald’s Hector. Brooke Cudomore of Omaha, NE, rode Igor, owned by Blair Cudmore, to third place with a jump-off time of 40.628 seconds.
“He jumped great today,” said Parker, “It was a nice course with a big enough track. It is my first week here, and I was impressed with it. He’s naturally a quick horse and he was really into it today. He was a little flat, but he was fast and he was extra speedy today. I turned a little sharp to the last jump, and I think that’s where we made up some time.”
Parker has had the ride on Cupilor, a 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Lupicor x Libre) owned by Cross Creek Farms, Inc., since he was just four, and has brought the gelding along for his entire jumping career.
“He’s always been very competitive,” she continued. “He wins a lot, and I’m excited that he’s one that I get to keep and continue on with. He’s a 1.50m grand prix horse, so I’d like to just keep plugging away at that. He’s been very consistent in California so we wanted to come out here and switch it up a bit!”
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