Catharon Miller and Colorado 222 experienced the International Ring at WEF during World Championship Hunter Rider Week. Photo Sportfot Wellington, FL- April 16, 2022 – Trainer Lorrie Canady lead her Galway Farm crew to a winter season of success and memorable experiences at the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The main takeaway from Galway clients is that being able to show weekly really adds to the learning experience and the opportunities to ride in the International Ring or on the derby field are priceless. Galway rider Catharon Miller of Chicago, talked about the highlights by saying, “The barn and being here together in Wellington is amazing and it’s really beautiful, and yes, it's super fun to show but it wouldn’t be the end of the world if we only took lessons. We have a great team that works really well together. With consistent showing every week you really do improve.”
Catharon Miller and Finn on the derby field. Photo Sportfot
Miller rode the Westphalian gelding, Colorado 222, to a championship in the Adult Amateur Hunters during WEF 5 as well as collecting top ribbons on the 11-year-old throughout the circuit. Miller raved about the opportunity to ride in the International Ring during World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) week as well as riding in the USHJA National Hunter Derby on the grass at the Global Champions facility during WEF 11. Miller had never shown on the grass before so it was a great learning experience as well as really great fun.
Canady commented, "The WEF circuit really provides a lot of opportunity for riders along with the consistency that goes with showing multiple weeks. Riders progress much faster in a shorter period of time, especially with multiple horses. They can experience the International Ring and the derby field where other shows don't offer those chances for riders to learn from. The group had a great time both at the show and at the barn and will hit the spring circuit ready to go!"
Miller’s daughter, Chase, has Galway client Molly Canfield’s former mount, Gameboy, to ride in the 3’3” equitation. Chase Miller first got Gameboy in the fall and rode him in the Illinois Hunter Jumper Association Medal Finals. The pair went on to St. Louis to win their first THIS Children’s Medal. During the WEF circuit, they showed in the 3’3” Junior Hunters 15 and under, claiming a 5th in the stake class week 5. Chase also earned some top ribbons in the 12-14 Equitation during the circuit.
Chase Miller and VDL Denzo. Photo Sportfot In the jumper rings, Chase Miller took home some blue ribbons with her jumper VDL Denzo in the Novice Rider Jumpers and the Low Children’s Training Jumpers. During the circuit, she was able to move up to the Low Children’s Jumpers and log some great mileage in that division. “I thought it was very beneficial to be able to show every weekend, move up, and continue to improve every time,” added Chase.
Chase Miller and Rutledge. The Miller’s also purchased Rutledge, a 2013 Hanoverian gelding for Chase to show in the junior hunters. She looks forward to getting to know him and showing him the rest of this season. Handling school during the circuit was not an issue for Chase. She was in a tutoring program four days a week at WEF to keep up with school and ended up with good grades at the end of the semester. She returned to school after the circuit to finish out the year. Many of the dedicated young riders figure out how to juggle school and showing with online classwork and tutoring services readily available. When asked if she missed her friends at school Chase commented, “I made so many great new friends here and I had my own social life here.”
Trainer Lorrie Canady with Mary Beth Canfield and Donnalaris. Horses, friends, and sunshine, what could be better? Joining in on the fun, Mary Beth Canfield, a longtime client of Galway Farm, came to ride with Canady and hopped in the show ring on her Donnalaris for the Low Adult Amateur Hunters, taking home some top-three ribbons as well. Donnalaris was previously shown by Canfields’s daughter, Molly in the junior jumpers, which made it even more fun for Mary Beth. The Canfields have shown many horses at WEF in previous years, this year was lighter since Molly was away for her first year of college. Lisa Campbell, another longtime client, had plenty of time in the tack taking lessons at their off-campus farm during the circuit. As Miller said, taking lessons is just as much fun as going to the ring.
Eva Orlando and Cayento Z. Rider Eva Orlando of West Dundee, IL, came to show for part of the circuit with her paint horse, Speechless. The pair showed in the 3’3” Junior Hunters while Orlando rode Cayento Z in week 6 to earn the championship in the Children’s Hunters. Orlando also mounted up for the Low Children’s Jumpers, riding her Diacando with great success to top-four placings throughout the division.
Abby Levine on Callway Do Cabo with Grace Scheffler, Lorrie Canady, and Sergio (L to R). Abby Levine had great success on Callway Do Cabo, owned by Ilan Ferder. The pair kicked off the WEF Premier with the reserve championship in the Low Adult Amateur training jumpers. They worked their way up to the Low Adult Amateur Jumpers 18-35 to win the classic during week 6 and earned more top ribbons and a 7th place classic victory during week 7. Levine, of Chicago, also rode Clare Deegan’s Ontario to high honors including a second place finish in the Low Adult Amateur Jumpers 18-35 week 7.
June Knudson and Jack Frost. June Knudson, Wilmette, IL, rode Eva Orlando’s Jack Frost to great ribbons in the Low Children’s Hunters during WEF 6. Canady’s assistant and rider, Grace Scheffler, rode Donnalaris in the 1.25m jumpers as well as making sure the client’s horses were ready to show. Scheffler has been a great addition to the Galway team.
Derby Day at WEF. Catharon Miller summed it up by saying “It’s just an amazing place to be. We were in the Virgin Islands for a week on spring break and the second week we were here [at WEF]. I think I liked the second week even better!” The Galway team headed back to their home in Long Grove, Illinois for a short break then it’s on to HITS Lamplight Equestrian Center at the end of May then Traverse City, Michigan.
Congratulations to Leslie Smith on the purchase of Just Billy. More on Galway Farm Catharon Miller and Colorado 222 Crowned Champion in Animo Adult Amateur Hunter Middle (Section B) Division Have Your Event at Galway Farm Galway Farm Classic Weekend Has Full Education Schedule
#Findtheone About Galway Farm Galway Farm is conveniently located 20 miles northwest of O'Hare Airport and 6 miles north of Arlington Park racetrack. The farm is a full-service hunter/jumper training and showing facility providing full training, boarding with turn-out, and more. Lorrie Canady, trainer/owner, had the vision to start and operate an equestrian facility that could cater to the serious show rider but also be a place to help beginning riders get started in the sport. Galway Farm is a friendly, family-oriented facility that is a fun and safe environment for all. Canady has participated in major competitions throughout North America including Wellington, Florida; Ocala, Florida; Lake Placid, New York, and Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Canada. Galway Farm prides itself on having quality show horses for sale and lease. Contact Lorrie Canady for your next winner.
1650 Bernay Lane Long Grove, IL 60047 847-309-8980