In her equitation championship debut, Ella Witt of Califon won the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association 3’3’ Hunter Seat Medal Final East last Saturday aboard Stakkair, owned by Redfield Farm.
But only a few days later on the horse show roller coaster, with its steep highs and deep lows, the gelding was being vetted for sale–just as Ella had to get ready for the National Horse Show in Kentucky.
“Life as a catch rider,” sympathized Redfield’s owner, Emil Spadone.
“If it was my own horse, I’d make them (the buyers) wait a week. But it’s not my own horse and she understands I can’t do that to a client, I can’t risk another week. What if something goes wrong?”
Ella in action at the championship. (Photo by Ann Gittins Photography)
As Emil looked for a mount that could go to Lexington with Ella, she was more grateful than sad about Stakkair, saying she was “so lucky to have had the opportunity to ride him, he’s a special horse.”
She cherishes a magical victory that was part of an incredible week for Redfield, as Cassandra Kahle won the $100,000 Forrester Farm Equipment Grand Prix at the Pennsylvania National Horse show with the farm’s own Selle Francais, the 18-year-old Pyrenes de Louzes..
It was, as Emil said, “icing on the cake” because she also was aboard the Dutchbred stallion Corragio for victory in the 3-3 Green HunterStake and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show’s 3-3 Perpetual Trophy. Corragio is standing at stud for Redfield, so he collected a nice addition to his list of achievements. Pyrenes’ groom, Oscar Trevizo, also was a winner, getting recognition from the Grooms Award Ltd.
“Right now we’re flying high,” said Emil of the wins that were hundreds of miles apart, from Harrisburg, Pa., to West Springfield, Mass.
Ella came to Emil via Amanda Lyerly, who had been training her, but lessons at Amanda’s stable involved a six and one-half hour drive to Ohio. It worked when Ella was doing virtual classes from the Marymount School in New York during the pandemic, but the long trip meant she couldn’t get in enough riding after in-person classes resumed.
Emil’s farm is five minutes from Ella’s New Jersey home. Amanda suggested that might be a better fit, and it was. Ella got along well with the other teens at Redfield and began working with trainer Luke Olsen.
“I feel like she’s found a bit of a home with us,” said Emil.
Ella Witt with trainer Luke Olsen and USHJA President Mary Knowlton. (Photo by Ann Gittins Photography)
Ella had junior hunter experience, but was just starting equitation, as was Stakkair, a former jumper.
She was training for the 3’6” classes. But when Luke realized the 15-year-old (she’s 14 show age) had three more years to compete as a junior, he thought it made sense to step back and give her experience in the 3-3 championships, which have multiplied in recent years.
The only problem was that when he discussed it with the Redfield team and the decision was made at the end of July for Ella to focus on the 3-3 medals, there was just a week left to qualify for the USHJA class. But she did it.
Luke worked with her intensively for six weeks “and set me up for success,” as Ella put it.
“I’m very reserved and don’t ever go in the ring thinking I’m going to win,” said Ella.
“It’s always a shock when I do well, especially since this is my first year doing equitation and my first final,” she said of the competition at the New England Equitation Championships.
“I didn’t really have any expectations, so this was definitely a dream come true. It’s a good boost for my confidence.”
Ella added, “The whole team at Redfield, I really owe them a lot. They’re really an amazing team. It’s a lot of effort that goes into it and I’m lucky to be a part of that.”
Emil saw a natural talent in Ella and “pushed her a bit to do the equitation.”
Luke has an eclectic background, which includes handling special events for Inglenook Winery in Napa Calif., and a job with Soul Cycle. He added credentials to his equestrian resume during a stint with Susie Schoellkopf and Jen Alfano at SBS Farms in Buffalo.
Luke began working Emil in the summer of 2020, saying “he gives me a ton of opportunities. I love working with the kids, I obsess over equitation. It’s something I’m super, super passionate about and study and watch the other trainers.”
When he met Ella, he said, “Wow, this kid can ride.” He characterized her as “very, very natural and very, very calm. When it comes to finding the jumps, she’s a laser. As long as she knows the course, she’s on it.”
At the ingate, he tells her, “You’re cool as a cucumber; you gotta have the eye of the tiger.”
Cassandra characterized her victory on her first grand prix horse, who she’s been riding since 2016, as “pretty surreal.”
Cassandra Kahle and Pyranes de Louzes. (Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography)
She noted,.“I’m very dedicated to the sport. I love it. I do it every day, so it’s a lot of ups and downs, a lot of long days. To have a day like this come together makes it all worth it. This is such a special show. They brought the crowd, and I think the whole atmosphere just makes it that much more surreal.”
Despite his age Pyranes de Louzes “is sound and he seems to love his job,” said Emil.
“He’s going to Florida as a 19-year-old and we’re planning on showing. When he’s done showing, he stays with us to retire in a field and have plenty of carrots.”
