Isabella Holway Reunites with Longtime Partner to Win CPHA 3’3” Medal at Temecula Valley National Fall Week I

Temecula, Calif. – Oct 15, 2021 – The West Coast’s top young equestrian talents took to their respective rings Friday, October 15, for equitation day at Nilforushan Equisport Events’ Temecula Valley National Fall Week I, presented by Interactive Mortgage. Eager for a fresh start following the 2021 California Professional Horseman’s Association (CPHA) Medal Finals held in August during the Blenheim Summer Classic, the junior athletes were eager to tuck some of the first 2022 available qualifying points under their belts. California natives Isabella Holway and HD Washington delivered in the ring to secure a blue ribbon and a solid start to her 2022 equitation season in the CPHA 3’3” Medal.

Isabella Holway and HD Washington

Course designer Scott Starnes (USA) was intent on making the junior riders work for their points, developing a demanding course in coordination with the judges. Prompting the riders to establish a good rhythm for the 10-effort track, the horse-and-rider combinations were asked to enter the ring at a counter canter directly to fence one. Amy Kim was first to enter the ring aboard Victoria Lacagnina’s Call It Karma. The duo set the bar for the rest of the field.

Second to take to the track was Holway of Cardiff, California aboard HD Washington. Holway and HD Washington have a solid track record together. The pair were the winners of the inaugural 2020 USHJA 3’3″ Hunter Seat Medal Final – West and the 13 & 14 Year Old Equitation Reserve Champion at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. She took to the ring with confidence alongside her longtime partner. Despite the chilly, windy weather, Holway effortlessly navigated the track, nailing the transition to the trot fence and maintaining a cool demeanor. After a brief separation from the eight-year-old KWPN gelding in 2021, Holway regained the ride back on HD Washington just one show prior to heading out for the Temecula Valley National Fall Series. She knows “Toad” inside and out, aiding in developing her strategy for the class.

Isabella Holway and HD Washington

Their years of experience together proved powerful enough to help them take the early lead in the class and fend off the rest of the field of competitors to ultimately claim first-place honors. Eager to resume their hot streak, Holway has lofty plans to attend the ‘big eq’ finals with HD Washington at the Washington International Horse Show, the ASPCA Maclay Finals, Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final, and the North American Junior Equitation Championship at the Capital Challenge Horse Show.

Marina Boudreau and Little Big Won

Coming in second place just behind Holway was Marina Boudreau of Calabasas, California. The avid hunter competitor, who earned the Grand Champion Junior Hunter title at the 2019 AON/USHJA National Championships at The Las Vegas National Horse Show, switched gears to take Ingenium Farm’s 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Little Big Won, for a spin in Friday’s equitation class. Rounding out the top three was Ramona, California resident Belah Brooks aboard her own nine-year-old Hannoverian gelding Donacelli.

Belah Brooks and Donacelli

Though, the tables were turned in the ASPCA 3’6” Medal where Boudreau took home first-place honors with Little Big Won, while Chloe Hazen and her own 9-year-old KWPN gelding, Echezeaux. Holway took home a second podium finish for the day with HD Washington rounding out the top three.

Competition at the Temecula Valley National Fall Week I ramps up in the Grand Prix Arena Saturday, October 16, with the  $10,000 1.35 NEEd for Speed Derby sponsored by ShowMD, the $50,000 National Grand Prix sponsored by 100X Equine, as well as the $1,000 U25 Jumper Classic sponsored by John Deere.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE 

Isabella Holway – CPHA 3’3” Medal Winner

On HD Washington:
“He is owned by HD Horses LLC. He is incredible and is only eight-year-old! I rode him in 2019 and 2020 and then he was leased out for a full year, and then I just got him back! This is my second show back on him so it has been a good time. We call him ‘Toad’ around the barn because when I first got him he was nervous around the mounting block and kind of hopped around and was like a toad so it just seemed to stick. He is super sweet and really funny. He is very friendly and in your pocket which I love. He loves to snuggle and be loved on.”

On her round:
“I had a plan for my ride going in and I just tried to stick to that. It was windy and cold so I rode him a bit on the conservative side just to get him loose and get back into the swing of things.”

On Nilforushan Equisport Events:
“I love it here! I think it is one of my favorite shows. It is very well run and the footing is amazing. All of the people here are so great and very friendly.” 

On her future plans:
“This year we want to go for all of the major medal finals at the Washington International Horse Show, the ASPCA Maclay Finals, Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final, and the North American Junior Equitation Championship at the Captial Challenge Horse Show. I want to go big this year!”

No Comments Yet

Comments are closed