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Exhibitor: Christian Rogge
Hometown: Cypress, TX
Age: 46
A seasoned Grand Prix rider and trainer, Christian says he is most proud of his work to bring many green as well as difficult or older horses into the Grand Prix ring. This past year, he enjoyed the Houston Spring Series, Pin Oak Charity, Spring Gathering, and Del Mar shows, to name a few. When he’s not riding and competing, he enjoys spending as much time as possible with his wife, doing “non horse-related things”. If faced with the prospect of spending his last $100, he says it would go to peanut butter and jelly! |
Exhibitor: Sharn Wordley
Hometown: Morriston, FL
Age: 32
A two-time winner of the Grand Prix de Santa Fe, Sharn originally hails from Australia, where he recalls his first ride on a pony at his third birthday party. Sharn says he is most proud of his clear round in the Nations Cup in Sweden as well as qualifying for the New Zealand Olympic Team in the Olympics in Atlanta. His favorite shows include the Grand Prix de Santa Fe “because it is a successful show for me” and the Ocala Jumping Classic for its friendly people and great footing. In 2007-2008, Sharn says his goal is to qualify for the 2008 Olympics. |
Exhibitor: Sarah Invicta Williams
Hometown: Santa Fe, NM
Age: 29, again
A Grand Prix rider and Advisory Board member of the Grand Prix de Santa Fe, Sarah says competing in the Masters is her proudest achievement to date. While she notes that one of her goals for 2007-2008 is to have “more compassion in my life”, she admits she REALLY wants to win the Masters this year! She describes a perfect day as any day she is riding in a Grand Prix. If she were faced with the prospect of spending her last $100, this determined lady says she would use it to find a job and make more money! |
Exhibitor: Chenoa McElvain
Hometown: Lemitar, NM
Age: 15
Despite having been bucked off her pony during her first riding lesson with her dad, Chenoa still describes a perfect day as a day spent with her horses, family and friends. She is most proud of her performance at the NAJRC in the past year, where she learned to manage the pressure of competing and was able to turn a weak start into a good finish. This year she is off to Germany for the Friendship Games, then to the NAJRC again. She hopes to qualify for the World Cup in 2009, after which she plans to attend college. Always loyal to her partner in the arena, Chenoa says she would spend her last $100 on her horse! |
Exhibitor: Alejandro Saenz
Hometown: El Paso, TX
Age: 20
Although he has only been competing for six years, Alejandro has already shown in several Grand Prix events. The Tucson shows in the Fall were his favorite shows this past year, where everyone is “so nice and it is like a big family”. He has already set his sights on qualifying for, competing in and winning the NAJRC in 2007. A perfect day for Alejandro is overcast, with no heat or wind, where he and his horse are “as one, with nothing else around us”. As for his last $100, he would buy something, then sell it for more! |
Exhibitor: Georgie Murray
Hometown: Cave Creek, AZ
Age: 19
Georgie’s riding career began on bareback and quickly evolved into Grand Prix show jumping. Her proudest moments include winning the Grand Prix in Tucson at the age of 17 and bringing her horse, Opus, up from a 4-foot jumper to the Grand Prix level. She cites the show in Parker, CO as her favorite this past year because of its field, the people and atmosphere. Her goals include becoming a more consistent rider and working her grey mare up to the high A/O level. |
Exhibitor: Brandie Holloway
Hometown: Topeka, KS
Age: 32
Brandie believes her earliest memory of riding is of bouncing inside mother’s belly while on horseback! Her favorite shows this last year include HITS Arizona and the Cantina. In addition to her goals to win as many Grand Prix competitions as possible this next year, she also plans to work on her dance career. Her perfect day involves a $25,000 Blue Ribbon, a horse sale, and beautiful sunny weather. If faced with the prospect of spending her last $100, Brandie would use it for Power Ball tickets! |
Exhibitor: Jenni Martin-McAllister
Hometown: Moorpark, CA
Age: 37
Jenni began riding with her sister at the age of one and hasn’t stopped since. Of her many accomplishments, she is most proud of riding for the team in the Nations Cup: “I worked my whole life just to wear the US team coat.” She also cites her win of the $100,000 Grand Prix at the Del Mar National as another prized milestone. In addition to competing in another European tour and riding for the US team again, Jenni is currently preparing for the challenge of the World Cup in Sweden in 2008. For this avid competitor, a perfect day is quiet and sunny and spent milling about in her garden or fussing with her horses and other pets. Then again, she notes that an Olympic gold medal would also make for a perfect day, though it would be a bit harder to come by! |
Exhibitor: Bjorn Ikast
Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico
Age: not given
After falling off his horse three times during his first ride, a riding career seemed unlikely. As the three-time Danish Champion, Scandinavian Champion and winner of 47 Grand Prix events, including the $100,000 Grand Prix in Indio, Bjorn notes, “luckily, it’s going a little better now.” This year, he hopes to produce some new horses and continue training other riders, while still spending as much time as possible with his family. Faced with the prospect of spending his last $100, Bjorn would spend it on a romantic dinner with his beautiful wife. |
Exhibitor: Janet Hischer
Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ
Age: 44
While she prayed during her first horse show that there would only be 6 contestants so that she could be assured a ribbon, it is obvious that Janet worries were unwarranted. The 2006 AGA Rookie of the year, Janet’s favorite show this past year was The Oaks in San Juan Capistrano, thanks to the great weather, quality course designer and big open grass field which promoted good riding and quality show jumping. As focused on those she loves as she is on her career, Janet strives to be “the most loving wife” she can be while helping other people meet their goals and conducting herself in a professional, influential manner. |
Exhibitor: Guy McElvain
Hometown: Lemitar, NM
Age: 41
As a co-founder, current vice president, Platinum Sponsor of the Grand Prix de Santa Fe, and Grand Prix competitor, Guy has much to be proud of, but says his greatest sense of accomplishment comes from his children, Chenoa and Clayton, their equestrian successes, and the lessons they have learned from their involvement with the sport. Guy’s own riding career began at a young age and he recalls being brushed off his Shetland pony by a low branch during a foxhunt and sitting under a tree for what seemed like a very long time, waiting for his mother to find him!
In this past year, Guy says he most enjoyed competing in the Grand Prix de Santa Fe, “because we started it and it is what I believe a horse show should be” and Spruce Meadows, “because they do it right and make every competitor feel special.” His goals in the coming year remain to become more consistent in the Grand Prix, develop his young horses into Grand Prix horses, and compete in some of the larger Grand Prix.Guy remains an avid foxhunter and is a co-founder of the Caza Ladron Hunt. His perfect day unfolds as a cool fall morning, with coffee in the hot tub, then hunting the hounds along the river bottom in full color, followed by a game of golf, BBQ by the pool and more time in the hot tub. We couldn’t agree more! |
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