Exhibitor: Chenoa McElvain
Hometown: Lemitar, NM

When we last checked in with Chenoa at the 2008 Grand Prix de Santa Fe, she had set her sights on several goals for 2008-09, not the least of which was to compete in the NAYRC and graduate from high school. Not only did she accomplish these goals, she qualified for the Individual Competition on Sunday for NAYRC, placed 14th in the NAYRC on Nele, placed 3rd, 5th and 6th for the Zone 8 Horse of the Year and was the Half Circuit and Circuit Champion at Thermal, CA on her new horse, Ciris. To top it off, she has placed in the top six in every one of her 2008 Grand Prix competitions, including a 6th place finish at the Stock Show Grand Prix and 4th place at the Tulsa Grand Prix.

This year, Chenoa plans to show competitively in the World Cup Qualifiers and Large Grand Prix across the U.S. and hopes to begin qualifying for the Nations Cup, Aachen, Pan American Games, and World Cup, with the Olympics as her long-term goal.

There have been a few less-than-stellar moments, though, such as her fall at the 2nd to last jump in her first High Jr/AO class on her new horse, Ciris. She was in position to win the class, but she and Ciris chipped and Ciris jumped and shot Chenoa out of the tack and onto the backside of the jump on her head.

Despite her numerous accomplishments in the past year, Chenoa has struggled with the aftermath of the trailer fire that took the lives of four cherished Grand Prix horses belonging to her family, the McConnells and the Kleins. She notes that the accident has made her stronger, more appreciative and more motivated. A champion’s perspective, without a doubt.

Exhibitor:  Esza Barrack
Hometown:  Albuquerque, NM

Ezsa’s accomplishments this past year include a third and a fifth place finish in the Welcome Stakes at the Tucson Winter Circuit as well as competing in her first Grand Prix with her new horse, Billy Ray-y. She is confident that she is on track to compete in the NAYRC in 2010 and is looking for a successful outcome in her Grand Prix classes.

Competing in your first Grand Prix can rattle the nerves of any seasoned rider. Ezsa notes with chagrin that she accidentally cantered out of the arena during her first Grand Prix when she lost control of her horse. Having set her sights on more Grand Prix classes this year, there is little doubt that Ezsa will be staying in the arena for many years to come!

Exhibitor:  Alejandro Saenz
Hometown:  El Paso, TX

Alejandro and his new Grand Prix horse, Leo-R, were just getting to know one another this year at their first show together when they finished
second in the Welcome Stakes. Clearly, this is a match made in heaven! Still, he’s had his share of challenging moments, including a spill right before he entered the course at last year’s Grand Prix de Santa Fe after his horse slipped and both horse and rider went down. Not to be outdone, Alejandro jumped back onto his horse and rode the course as planned.

Alejandro has set his sights on a Grand Prix win this year and, in light of his remarkable finish with Leo-R at the Welcome Stakes, we’re sure he will.

Exhibitor:  Allison Kroff
Hometown:  Mesa, AZ

The two-time winner of the Grand Prix de Santa Fe (we are proud to note that it was here that Allison won her very first Grand Prix in 2004), Allison continued her upward trajectory in 2009, winning the $25,000 Grand Prix on Nomograaf at HITS Tucson. Alison’s plans for 2009-10 include moving her young horses up into the Grand Prix and qualifying for World Cup.

Not content to confine her energy to the competition arena, Allison recently became an ambassador for JustWorld International, a nonprofit organization that partners with local humanitarian organizations to provide basic education, nutrition, health and hygiene programs, and vocational training for children in impoverished communities around the world. JustWorld relies on its ambassadors in the equestrian world to assist in fundraising and educating the public about the organization’s mission and activities.

Exhibitor: Guy McElvain
Hometown:  El Paso, TX

Guy‘s proudest moments this year were naturally focused on his children, Chenoa and Clayton, and their accomplishments in the world of show-jumping. He was thrilled as he watched Clayton “Clear Round” McElvain finish with many clear rounds in the Thermal Desert Circuit and as Chenoa earned a Circuit Championship and rode well in the Juniors. Guy, of course, had his own successes this year, including his World Cup qualifying rides.

The tragedy of the trailer fire and the loss of cherished Grand Prix horses, Air Force One, Carolina, Any Option and Candilagos, has been a challenge of such enormity that no rider should ever have to endure.

Of the heartbreaking accident, Guy says, “the recent tragedy involving our losing four of our best horses combined with losing my son’s horse from colic, was probably one of the worst times in my life let alone the last year, but of course we don’t expect to have to deal with something like every year and when they do happen it just reminds you to seize the day.”

As a co-founder of the Grand Prix de Santa Fe, a Grand Prix rider, a proud father and mentor to his children, and a passionate advocate and supporter of the sport of show-jumping, Guy continues to earn the respect of many for his countless contributions to the sport we all love, whether as a rider or a spectator.

Exhibitor:  Janet Steinberg
Hometown:  Tesuque, NM
Age:  19

Janet has had a tremendously successful and challenging year. After only three months of training at Las Campanas Equestrian Center with trainers Sarah Williams and Caroline Stevenson (Las Campanas Equestrian Center Director), Janet was chosen Amateur Champion at the Tucson Spring Show, with her two horses Royal Doulton and Celtic King. Ever modest, Janet gives all the credit for this accomplishment to her trainers and cites their “unlimited knowledge, outstanding horse care and passion for the sport, horse and rider”.

Janet was thrilled to have the opportunity to ride Santa Fe Gigi, Sarah Williams’ horse, in the Children’s / Adult Amateur Jumper Classic at the 2008 Grand Prix de Santa Fe. She felt she had a great round and that Gigi took excellent care of her. Safety and a consistent, smooth rhythm are cornerstone values for Janet in her riding. This became evermore important this year when she faced a second spinal surgery and the possibility that she might not be able to ride again. Now that she has been cleared for riding, she could not be happier to follow her passion each and every day.

Janet has been a strong supporter of the Grand Prix de Santa Fe, and, with her fellow riders Henri Hall, Laura Langdon and Betsy Holdsworth, also known as Team Las Campanas, sponsored this year’s Speed Derby 1.10m. The Grand Prix de Santa Fe extends its thanks to Janet and the other members of Team Las Campanas teammates for their recognition of the benefits that the Grand Prix de Santa Fe brings to the Santa Fe community, the event’s exhibitors, sponsors and spectators and our nonprofit beneficiaries.