Kendall Meijer Wins NAL Adult Hunter Finals at Capital Challenge
Wilmington, OH – Kendall Meijer of Grand Rapids, MI, rode Elliot to the win in the North American League (NAL) Adult Hunter Final, on Tuesday, September 29, at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, held at the World Equestrian Center in Wilmington, OH.
Kendall Meijer and Elliot. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
A field of 28 pre-qualified entries contested the NAL Adult Hunter Final, sponsored by the Famulak Family and Monkey Business LLC, and the top 12 returned in reverse order of their standings to jump a second round, designed by Ken Krome.
A score of 87 in the first round put Meijer and Elliot at the top of the leaderboard, and a second-round score of 84.75 for a 171.75 total cemented the pair’s victory. Second place with scores of 85.00, 83.75, and a 169.25 total went to Kelly Bauernschmidt of Bratenahl, OH, and her own Mojito. Rachel Boggus of Indianapolis, IN, and Subject to Change rounded out the top three with an overall score of 168.00.
Kendall Meijer and Elliot. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
“It’s so fun; I’ve done this class the last maybe 10 years, and I was always a bridesmaid,” said Meijer, who was presented with the Lisa A.H. Cudahy Perpetual Trophy for her victory. “I made the top 12 a few times, but to get a win on my seven-year-old was really special. Capital Challenge is the cumulation of all your work through your winter and summer months and everyone comes together. It’s definitely a special show. It has amazing history of some phenomenal riders, professionals, junior, amateur and the like. It’s really special to be a part of that group.”
Meijer has had her winning mount, Elliot, owned by her own Copper Fox LLC, for the past year, and she jokes that the seven-year-old grey Selle Français gelding is “seven going on 17.”
“I like a horse that’s quiet and easy going, and he’s just those things,” said Meijer. “He’s very quiet which always works for me.
“It was really fun to show him in the Sanctuary,” continued Meijer, referencing the World Equestrian Center’s spacious main arena. “I’ve shown here at the World Equestrian Center quite a few times, but the jumpers are always in the Sanctuary, so it was a special treat to get to do the Adult Hunters in there! Each course rode really smoothly, and I thought the jumps were beautiful. They were not too exotic, so they really gave the chance to show the smoothness and quality that a good adult hunter is supposed to have.”