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Blenheim Equisports Spring Tournament Provides Winning Opportunities for Karen Healey Students

The horses and riders of Karen Healey Stables competed in San Juan Capistrano, CA, this week at the Blenheim Equisports Spring Tournament. The competition ran from March 25-29 and featured winning rides from some of Karen Healey’s top students.

Tina DiLandri was very successful riding Patricia Applegate’s horse Teddy this past week. DiLandri and Teddy showed in the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division, placing first in the under saddle and third in all four classes over fences.

DiLandri catch rides Teddy for the Applegate family, and this was her second time showing the horse since competing during the third week of the HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal, CA.

“He was fantastic for me in Thermal; he was reserve champion there,” DiLandri stated. “This week was the second time that I have shown him, and he was great. He is a slow, lopey, really nice hunter. He just floats across the ground and he has a fantastic jump; he always tucks his head between his knees.”

Seventeen-year-old DiLandri is from Scottsdale, AZ, and has been training with Karen Healey for four years now. “Karen is a great trainer,” DiLandri acknowledged. “She puts pressure on you to do well, but it’s just enough that when you go into the ring, you know that it is time to perform. I love that about her, and she really knows everything about what to do with the horses and how to prepare them; she is really knowledgeable in the equestrian world.”

Another rider out of Karen Healey Sables to do very well at Blenheim this week was Hannah Selleck. Hannah Selleck showed three of Descanso Farm’s horses. Selleck showed Bella in the Equitation 18 and Over and placed first and second in the division’s classes. She also rode Bella in the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search and placed sixth. Another ride for Selleck was aboard Tosca. Selleck and Tosca placed first and fourth in the Low Junior Amateur-Owner Jumpers and won the $5,000 Junior Amateur/Owner Jumper Classic. Selleck’s third ride was with Bauer, and the pair placed sixth in the $2,000 Low Junior Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic.

Demi Stiegler showed in the Small and Large Junior Hunter 15 and Under divisions. Stiegler placed first in the under saddle and first, fourth, and fifth over fences in the Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under with Violet Hill, owend by Citrus Hill Farms, LLC. Stiegler also showed in the Large Junior Hunter 15 and Under with Classified, owned by Virginia Fout, and placed sixth.

Alexis Graves showed her horse Posh in the equitation and hunter divisions this week. Graves showed Posh to second and third place ribbons in the Equitation 14 and Under. The pair also received third and sixth place ribbons in the Children’s Hunter 13 and Under and placed fourth in the Children’s Hunter Classic.

Other top finishers for Karen Healey Stables at the Blenheim Spring Tournament included Tammy Chipko and Dylan Kornbluth. Tammy Chipko showed her horse Wonderful in the 5 & 6 Year-Old Young Jumpers, placing sixth. Chipko also showed John Endicott’s horse Tollstoi and placed first in the USEF Adult Medal and sixth in the 1.10m Jumpers. Dylan Kornbluth showed Faldero, owned by Plaid Ranch, LLC, and won the blue ribbon in the 0.09m Jumpers.

Karen Healey Stables will compete again this week at the second series of the Blenheim Equisports Spring Tournament, which runs March 1 through March 5.

Reprinted with permission from Phelps Media Group.

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