Harley Brown and Mylord Cornet Take a Leap of Faith to Win the $40,000 Stephen Silver Grand Prix

Atherton, Calif. – Aug. 10, 2019 – 2019 marks the third year that Chairman and CEO of Stephen Silver, the leading Silicon Valley jewelry and watch retailer, based in the Rosewood Sand Hill Hotel, has sponsored the $40,000 Grand Prix. Silver grew up in the local area and first met Betsy Glikbarg, founder of the Menlo Charity Horse Showwhen he was only a teenager. Silver and his family have attended the Menlo Charity Horse Show since the very beginning. “We are committed to philanthropy in our area and have built our business according to the guiding principles of both empathy and community. We have been a sponsor for 9 years now and are delighted to once again have the opportunity to be the Grand Prix Sponsor” said Stephen Silver.

Harley Brown and Mylord Cornet Photo: ©Alden Corrigan Media
Harley Brown and Mylord Cornet
Photo: ©Alden Corrigan Media

Course Designer Bernado Costa Cabral set a beautiful course on the Grass Jumper Field, challenging the riders and their horses with difficult turns and distances.

“I wanted to make it a difficult test this evening, but I also want to make it fair for the up and coming riders and the younger horses, it was such a mixed group, so I was happy with fourteen clear, better fourteen than two,” Cabral laughed. “I thought that the younger group had a good experience and did well. When I have a larger jump off group, I make sure that the jump off is not too quick on purpose, this allows the good horses to have a chance, not only the fast horses that were lucky to go clear today. I make sure that the fences are big enough that it is jumping first and speed second.”

Winner of the $40,000 Stephen Silver Grand Prix Harley Brown & Mylord Cornet with Class Sponsors Stephen Silver, MCHS Executive Director Betsy Glikbarg and MCHS Co-Chairs. Photo: ©Alden Corrigan Media
Winner of the $40,000 Stephen Silver Grand Prix Harley Brown & Mylord Cornet with Class Sponsors Stephen Silver, MCHS Executive Director Betsy Glikbarg and MCHS Co-Chairs. Photo: ©Alden Corrigan Media

The jump off in this year’s event required riders to take a huge risk in increasing their speed, as the course required a steady ride, yet every attempt at acceleration could risk a rail. Harley Brown and Mylord Cornet pushed the limits and managed to set a time that was hard to beat. Many were bitten by a rail as they attempted to knock Brown off the top spot. In fact, amongst those trying to set a faster time were students under Brown’s tutelage.

“That was fun,” Brown said of his win in the $40,000 Stephen Silver Grand Prix. “Mylord Cornet is a strong horse and he was great this evening. I had a bunch of kids riding in the Grand Prix too, so it has all been a bit of a blur. For me the whole evening went very quickly, I gave them all a plan to beat me, this time they didn’t, normally they do. I really did not get the time to watch the other riders go, I was busy watching my kids. I rode my rounds and then I had to warm up another horse and rider. I had no idea what was going on other than hearing a loud roar from the spectators as an indicator of someone success in the arena.

“We bought Mylord Cornet as a 6-year-old in Europe, he did the Grand Prix once before….two years ago here at Menlo as a 7-year-old and placed third, said Brown. “He is owned by Katherine Brewer, who also rode tonight, and has placed second in this Grand Prix in the past.”

The 2019 Tack Room Award was awarded to Rose Hill Stables. Photo: ©Alden Corrigan Media
The 2019 Tack Room Award was awarded to Rose Hill Stables. Photo: ©Alden Corrigan Media

The 2019 Tack Room Award was awarded to Rose Hill Stables. Hilary Johnson has wanted to win the Tack Room Award at Menlo for years, so it was a very special win for Hilary. It was a group effort on Sunday assistants Harrison and Sierra started the set up, then all their clients got involved on Monday and Tuesday.

“All the kids learned to use hammers, which the parents loved. It was so much fun working as a team. We made sure that the set up was functional, the grooming stalls were properly organized stocked, safe and clean. And this year we added another private area to our dressing room for the younger kids to feel comfortable while they changed, and they loved that. We like to make the seating area pretty but also comfortable, the biggest danger we have a comfortable couch in which everyone wants to take naps. We really have had a great time.”

RESULTS

$40,000 Stephen Silver Grand Prix
Place / Rider / Horse
1. Harley Brown / Mylord Cornet
2. Jamie Sailor / Cucky 3
3. Nicole Haunert / Calgary IV
4. Patrick Seaton / Veronica
5. Daniel Zilla / Venice BF
6. Lindsay Archer / Eta Beta Di San Patrignano
7. Guy Thomas / Jonkheer Z
8. Emma Catherine Reichow / Apex
9. Zume Gallaher / Edita
10. Alessandra Volpi / Absolute Du Mio
11. Brooke Morin / Cassito Del Diablo
12. John Bragg / Nikh Quanto

 

The Menlo Charity Horse Show, a 501(C)(3) organization recognized as a USEF Heritage Competition, benefits Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired by producing a premiere equestrian event while educating the community on the issues of the visually impaired.

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