Woodside, CA - Peter Breakwell came to the Woodside Summer Circuit to gain valuable experience for his two grand prix horses, and he went home $5,000 richer after capturing the Woodside Jumper Bonus. To encourage and promote jumper riders at the highest levels in Northern California, Langer Equestrian Group President and CEO Larry Langer offered a $5,000 Rider Bonus. “I announced that if any rider won two of the grand prix during the Woodside Summer Circuit riding the same horse that they would win a $5,000 bonus.” Breakwell did just that with Lucas, a seven year old Hessien gelding.

When Breakwell first rode Lucas the horse was still pretty green. “He gave me a good feeling and had lots of character and energy,” said Breakwell. “Maybe a little too much character. He spun and reared, but I looked past that.” In the last sixty days the horse has really settled in and his improvements culminated at the Woodside Summer Circuit. “I wasn’t expecting to win,” said Breakwell. “I’d just moved him up to the 1.35 meter jumpers and decided to do the Woodside Grand Prix classes at 1.40 meters. I guess it was good timing because Lucas was ready to step up.” Breakwell piloted the gelding to the win in the Bayfest Grand Prix (July 1) and then repeated his success in the Golden Gate Grand Prix (July 8). He also rode Epona Equine Import’s Ivanoa to third in the first grand prix and second in the Golden Gate Grand Prix.

Although he wasn’t seeking the rider bonus, Breakwell was thrilled with the win. “For the owners it is nice to have seven year old win a grand prix. For me as a rider, the rider bonus is something we don’t normally get.” Breakwell supports the hunter/jumper shows at the Horse Park at Woodside. “There have been a lot of positive improvements and I hope they will keep continuing. The footing was good both weeks and held up really well.

John Bragg, who normally dominated the “A” rated hunter divisions, finished second in the Bayfest Grand Prix. In fact, Bragg is doing so well with Dearborn’s Nico that the Seibolt family suggested he find a second grand prix prospect. Bragg regularly supports the Woodside shows and was quite impressed with the facility improvements made in advance of the three week “A” rated Woodside Summer Circuit. “The new stabling area is really great. These are great horse shows.” Many of Bragg’s horses and riders did well. Simply Henry captured the Large Pony Hunter championship at the Golden Gate Classic, while Doug Dolezal’s Providence captured the Junior Hunter show championship. Rosie Garlock rode her Glen Eagle to champion honors in the Adult Amateur Hunters 50 & over, and stablemate Marianne Fellman rode her As We Speak to the reserve champion honors. The two women reversed their results the second week at the Bay Area Festival.

Toni McIntosh is another huge supporter of the Woodside shows. “These are great shows and all my people love coming here. They are perfect for my beginning riders because the shows are so close to where they live, and the shows have suitable classes for my more advanced horses and riders.” In fact, McIntosh’s clients had so much fun that each week they hosted a themed party in conjunction with the grand prix. McIntosh hopes to be contesting some of the bigger jumper classes next year. “I am looking for the right horse,” she stated. Her horses and riders earned numerous championships throughout the three week circuit.

For more information or to obtain photos, please contact Langer Equestrian Group, Inc. at legupmedia@aol.com. Press releases are available for download at ww.leghorseshows.com. Additional quotes may be available, please contact us via e-mail. For ticket information on this or upcoming events, contact www.horseticket.com.

Founded in 1976, the Horse Park at Woodside operates 272 acres of privately-owned land on Sand Hill Road just west of Freeway 280. The Horse Park at Woodside is a nonprofit organization dedicated to offering youth and adults educational, competitive, and recreational opportunities in a wide variety of equestrian disciplines, and has been doing so since 1981. Supported by membership and use fees, event revenue an donations, the Horse Park is a truly unique facility – the only one of its kind in the greater San Francisco Bay Area.