Temecula, Calif. – October 16, 2021 – Amateur-Owner Hunter riders kicked off the action-packed weekend at Nilforushan Equisport Events’ Temecula Valley National Fall Series, with the first of two days of Amateur-Owner 3’3” & 3’6” Hunter division competition. Eager to secure top placings prior to the championship crowning on Sunday, the horse-and-rider combinations laid down competitive rounds, but it was ultimately Ashley Weiman and her young mount, Sweet Romance, who took the early lead in the combined division.
Riders took to the Grand Hunter Arena early Saturday morning for two over-fences rounds and an under-saddle class before Sunday’s final over-fences round and handy round. It was Weiman who walked away with a hat trick, sweeping all three classes aboard the Romance Sport Horse-owned seven-year-old Warmblood mare, Sweet Romance. The successful amateur rider is no stranger to the winner’s circle, taking the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ High Score during World Championship Hunter Rider Week at Desert International Horse Park earlier this year aboard Timeless Romance with a score of 87.
Having only ridden “Cannoli” for six months, Weiman and the “sassy” chestnut mare progressively got better and better as the rounds rolled on. With only a few shows under their belts together, Weiman plans to move up to the Amateur-Owner 3’6” Hunters next year as well as a National Hunter Derby while professional rider Nick Haness shows Sweet Romance in the Green 3’6” Hunter division.
Christina Haney and her own nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Watermark, took the second place finish leading riders heading into the final day of competition at Temecula Valley National Week I. Coming off of a championship win in the Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter division at the Blenheim Fall Tournament with Watermark, the California native is eager to take to the ring on Sunday in hopes of moving up in the standings with a solid handy round, something the gelding excels at given his track record in the division and experience in National Hunter Derbies.
Competition at the Temecula Valley National Fall Series Week I closes out Sunday, October 17, in the Grand Prix Arena with the $5,000 JR/AO/AM 1.45m Jumper Classic High sponsored by Ogilvy, $5,000 JR/AO/AM 1.35m Jumper Classic Medium sponsored by CC Fits, $2,500 JR/AO/AM 1.25m Jumper Classic Low sponsored by Tack of the Town, as well as the $5,000 1.20m Jumper Classic sponsored by Jett Martin Equine Spa.
FROM THE WINNERS CIRCLE
Ashley Weiman – Amateur-Owner 3’3” & 3’6” Hunter division leader
On Sweet Romance:
“Her barn name is ‘Canoli.’ She is seven years old and I have only had her for about six months now. I just stepped up with her to the 3’3” and I’m learning how to ride her kind of ride, but so far we have done really well together! We won all three rounds today and I think each time we just get better and better.”
On his personality:
“She is a goof. She is the cutest horse on the ground and has the biggest personality. You can tell she is a little bit sassy; she pins her ears just a little bit. But she is the most spoiled horse. She loves her cookies. She knows me and my mom so when we walk around the corner at the barn, she will do a one-eighty to see us. She just adores us.”
On her strategy for the three rounds today:
“Because Nick Haness does the professional rides on Canoli, I really didn’t get to practice at all. I just wanted to get the canter and a good rhythm and trust my horse and my eye and go from there. The courses are amazing and they ride so well. The ring is so long that I just have to remember to keep going and keep my leg on! I know she gets tired but we just have to keep going.”
On Nilforushan Equisport Events:
“This show is only ten minutes away from home. So it is really nice to show in your backyard and just pop back and forth. Cannoli got to go home and be in her pasture yesterday and then come back and show and win all three today!”
On her future plans with Summer Romance:
“Next year Canoli will do the Green 3’6” Hunters with Nick [Haness] and I will hopefully work my way into the Amateur-Owner 3’6” Hunters and then maybe a couple of national derbies here and there.”