Category Archives: Announcements

Nicolas Gamboa and NKH Mr. Darcy Cash in on Another Victory in $100,000 Third Coast Bank Grand Prix

Katy, TX – Nicolas Gamboa and NKH Mr. Darcy put a final exclamation point on their phenomenal three weeks at the 2023 Pin Oak Charity Horse with victory in the finale $100,000 Third Coast Bank Grand Prix, held on Saturday, April 15 in Katy, TX.

Having already won two grand prix classes during Week II at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, Gamboa and NKH Mr. Darcy were fan favorites going into Saturday night, but with a field of 23 top contenders, it was still anybody’s game.

Fresh from designing the courses for the 2023 FEI World CupTM Final in Omaha, NE, Bernardo Costa Cabral set a track in the Porter Hedges Main Arena that saw eight entries go clear. When Gamboa and NKH Mr. Darcy entered the ring as the second pair to return for the jump-off, the time to beat had been set at 35.984 seconds by Australia’s Rowan Willis aboard Wellington Grey Goose.

Third Coast Bank representatives Jeanette Allan, Jordan Allan and Melissa Abel presented Nicolas Gamboa as the winner of the $100,000 Third Coast Bank Grand Prix. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

As Gamboa flew across the final Third Coast Bank oxer in 34.902 seconds, the crowd erupted into cheers, and that clear-round time would ultimately prove good enough for the win. Willis and Wellington Grey Goose took second place while Jacqueline Ruyle and Cyramo Z finished in third with four faults in a time of 33.892 seconds after a heartbreaking rail at the final fence. 

“It’s been a great way to wrap it up!” said Gamboa of his win. “[NKH Mr. Darcy] just tried and tried and tried his heart out. He knows the drill when he walks in there. He feels the audience, and he knows he has to leave the jumps up. He takes care of the speed himself.”

Gamboa has been partnered with the 10-year-old Holsteiner stallion, owned by Neil Knox of NKH LLC, for roughly a year; the pair’s string of successes kicked off last year with Gamboa’s first-ever grand prix win at the 2022 Pin Oak Charity Horse Show.

Rowan Willis and Wellington Grey Goose finished in second place. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

“Honestly, he was brought along for a long time by the previous rider, and they just did a fantastic job with him,” said Gamboa, who rides for October Hill Farm and Heineking Show Stables. “When I get on that horse, he just knows what to do, where to go. He knows where his feet are, and he knows where his mind should be. He knows when it’s game time.” 

In addition to the top honors in Saturday’s class, for which Gamboa was presented the Uncle Sam Trophy, he also earned the Antarès Leading Grand Prix Rider Award. As the rider with the most points earned over all five grand prix classes held during the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, Gamboa received a $1,000 bonus check and a new Antarès saddle. Knox of NKH LLC was also recognized with the Clayton Stone Trophy as the high-point grand prix owner.

Nicolas Gamboa was also presented with the Antares Leading Grand Prix Rider Award. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

Gamboa concluded, “Thank you again to everybody, the whole team and staff. Everybody that’s at the gate when I walk out and at the gate when I walk in, especially the Heineking family and Neil Knox. I cannot do it without their support, so thank you.”

For full results of the $100,000 Third Coast Bank Grand Prix, click here or visit HorseShowsOnline.com

Courtney Lenkart and Glorieus Make Glorious Return to USHJA International Hunter Derby Winner’s Circle at Pin Oak Charity Horse Show

Katy, TX – Following two years off from injury, Glorieus made a glorious return to the winner’s circle on Friday, April 14, at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show in Katy, TX. With Courtney Lenkart in the irons, the gelding earned the victory in the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by Augusta Pines Farm.

“This is our first international derby back since his injury,” said an emotional Lenkart. “So, it’s super, super special. It’s been a really long journey. He’s been very successful before. We won a lot of great classes together, but we never thought he could come back. He just fights [for it], and he has the best owners that have taken their time and given him everything he needs. It’s really a miracle. 

“I thought about, if he came back, what to say for a really long time, and I don’t know if I give it justice,” continued Lenkart. “We’re just really grateful.”

Courtney Lenkart and Glorieus were presented as the winners of the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by Augusta Pines Farm. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

On their way to the win, Lenkart and Glorieus were one of 22 entries to take on the first-round, Tom Hern-designed course in the Porter Hedges Main Arena at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center. With a score of 86 plus one high-option bonus point from judges John French and Patricia Griffith on panel one and a score of 87 plus a high-option bonus point from judges Tony Sgarlata and Bobbie Reber on panel two, Lenkart and Glorieus shot straight to the top of the leaderboard.

With scores of 89 and 90 in round two, plus three high option bonus points added to each score, Lenkart only further lengthened her lead, finishing with a total score of 360.

“Everything just came up so nice,” said Lenkart. “I tried to be smooth, and he just jumped out of his skin!”

Courtney Lenkart and Glorieus. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

Finishing in second place with overall score of 341 were Nada Wise and Stevie Ray, owned by Samantha Brown. Third place with a score of 333 went to Michael Dennehy and Hulla-Balou, owned by Dana Vollbracht. 

Following the conclusion of the class, Wise was presented with the Antarès Sellier Leading International Derby Rider Award for her strong results throughout the three weeks of the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show. For the award, Wise received a $1,000 cash prize and a new Antarès saddle. 

The Paula Sparks Perpetual Trophy for the Best Turned Out Derby Horse went to Diamante T, owned and ridden by Caitlin Burns.

Nada Wise was presented with a brand-new Antarès saddle and a $1,000 bonus check as the Antarès Sellier Leading International Rider over the course of the three-week Pin Oak Charity Horse Show. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

For the class win, Lenkart was presented with the Valobra International Hunter Derby Perpetual Trophy, and Glorieus’ owner, La Primera Hacienda LP, was presented the Shawn McMillen Memorial Trophy.

We just want to do what’s best for him,” concluded Lenkart, in speaking of the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. “Our dream is to be able to do Derby Finals possibly, but we’re just going to keep taking it day-by-day and hope for the best.”

For full results of the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by August Pines Farm, click here or visit HorseShowsOnline.com.

Maddie Chenoweth Claims Her First Grand Prix Win at Pin Oak Charity Horse Show

Katy, TX – Maddie Chenoweth, 26, earned the first grand prix victory of her career on Thursday, April 13, topping the $30,000 EPIC Sporthorses Grand Prix at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show aboard Navaro van’t Verahof.

The first-round, Bernardo Costa Cabral-designed course narrowed a starting field of 26 entries down to eight jump-off qualifiers in the Thursday evening featured event. Frequent Pin Oak grand prix winners Nico Gamboa and NKH Mr. Darcy were the first pair to jump-off, and they laid down a time to beat of 36.520 seconds that would keep them atop the leaderboard until Chenoweth’s return as the penultimate entry. 

With strides left out throughout the course, Chenoweth and Navaro van’t Verahof flew across the final EPIC Sporthorses oxer in a winning 34.870 seconds. Sofia Cady and ZG Bella, owned by Twist Studio LLC, were the final entry back in the ring, and they crossed the finish in 36.193 seconds to take second place. Gamboa and NKH Mr. Darcy then rounded out the top three, and fourth place went to Australia’s Rowan Willis and Wellington Grey Goose.

Maddie Chenoweth and Navaro van’t Verahof. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

“It feels pretty unreal!” said Chenoweth, who resides in Houston and trains with Martien Van Der Hoeven. “I’ve grown up coming to these horse shows, and I’ve actually never won a grand prix before, so this is my first grand prix win, as well as I’ve just stepped up to the grand prix with this horse Week I of Pin Oak. So, it’s been a pretty unreal experience with him.” 

Chenoweth partnered with the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood, Navaro van’t Verahof, in July of 2022 and has been getting to know the gelding while also balancing her full-time job selling title insurance.

“He’s my type of ride – big and lanky. Martien always jokes that we’re made for each other because I’m tall and lanky as well,” said Chenoweth. “[Because of work] in the winter, I didn’t get to horse show at all. Just being able to come for two weeks here in February and then hit the ground running at Pin Oak was really a great feeling for us.

“I’m just really grateful to be able to still do this sport,” concluded Chenoweth. “My parents have supported me the whole way. My trainer’s been really incredible in supporting me. Even on the days when I show up and I feel a little nervous, it takes a little pressure off that I’ve got a great support system behind me.”

Sofia Cady and ZG Bella finished in second. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

For full results of the $30,000 EPIC Sporthorses Grand Prix, click here or visit HorseShowsOnline.com.

Jacqueline Ruyle Reigns Victorious in $15,000 Fairway Farm Welcome Stake at Pin Oak Charity Horse Show

Katy, TX – Jacqueline Ruyle continues to be a dominating force at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, this time aboard a newer partner, Etoile de la Cem. The duo earned the win in Wednesday’s $15,000 Fairway Farm 1.45m Welcome Stake to kick off Week III of the 77th-annual show at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX. 

Ruyle and the 9-year-old Selle Français mare were one of 18 entries to take on the Bernardo Costa Cabral-designed course in the Porter Hedges Main Arena. When they entered the ring, the jump-off time to beat had been set at a clear 37.130 seconds by Savannah Hemby and her own Paddington. With a knack for well-maneuvering Costa Cabral’s courses on her side, Ruyle flew through the finish in a winning 36.006 seconds. Hemby would hold on to second place, while third place with a time of 37.648 seconds went to Leah Curtiss and Fortuna, owned by Oakside LLC.

Jacqueline Ruyle and Etoile de la Cem were joined in their winning presentation by Colleen Acosta of Fairway Farm (left) and trainer Daniel Bedoya (right). Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

“Bernardo [Costa Cabral] is my absolute favorite course designer,” said Ruyle, who trains with Bedoya Training Stables. “I wish I could just follow him around the country and jump his courses because I just love the way he sets! All of his courses ride so fun. Everything just flows, and the technicality doesn’t make the ride choppy. All of the jumps always appear nicely out of the corner. There’s nothing trappy.”

Etoile de la Cem also seems to have taken nicely to Costa Cabral’s courses – and to being partnered with Ruyle. The Houston-based rider acquired Etoile de la Cem – or “Debbie” as she is known in the barn – roughly six months ago, and they have been starting to move up the ranks since then. During Pin Oak Week II, Ruyle successfully moved Debbie up from the amateurs to the open jumper level for the first time, finishing in second place in the $15,000 Bedoya Training Stables Welcome Stake.

Savannah Hemby and Paddington. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

“I would say during the winter circuit [in Florida] is when we really started meshing,” explained Ruyle, who describes the mare’s style of going as “unique.” “We were playing around with different bits and bridles and how she goes. We started really hitting it off, and then when we came home, we worked on what we thought we needed to work on. We came here, and we nailed it. It’s been great.”

Ruyle continued, “She has a very unique style of going. Over little jumps, she jumps with as little effort as possible. You jump 1.10m, and you think okay, ‘Maybe she can jump 1.15m max.’ Then you jump 1.15m, and you think, ‘Maybe she can jump 1.20m.’ She just keeps going and going. As the jumps get bigger, she jumps better and better, and I think she has even more in the tank and is going to be a superstar.” 

Ruyle has proven to be a superstar in her own right at Pin Oak, most recently earning the win in the Week I $30,000 Texas Children’s Hospital Grand Prix aboard Cyramo Z.

For full results of the $15,000 Fairway Farm 1.45m Welcome Stake, click here or visit HorseShowsOnline.com.