Paige Dendiu Takes Country Road to the Top in $10,000 Blenheim Young Hunter Championship
Paige Dendiu and Country Road. Photo by McCool Photography
San Juan Capistrano, Calif. – September 21, 2024 – Throughout the show season in San Juan Capistrano, CA, the popular Blenheim EquiSports Young Hunter Series offers free entries and reduced-rate stalls for all young hunters. On Thursday, September 19, the 2024 edition of the series culminated with the $10,000 Blenheim Young Hunter Championship and a big win for Paige Dendiu and Country Road.
The championship class, held in honor of Marcia “Mousie” Williams, featured two rounds of competition, with the starting field of 23 horses narrowed down to the top 12 for the second round.
Dendiu and the 6-year-old Oldenburg gelding, owned by Kimberly Guichard, led the class from beginning to end after earning a first-round score of 87 from judges Rachel Kennedy and Robin Swinderman Mitchell.
Paige Dendiu and Country Road. Photo by McCool Photography
“Today’s rounds were good; he really brought his best,” said Dendiu following Country Road’s win. “The first class, I just focused on being smooth and organized, and he was right there with me the whole time. Going back into the second round on top, you know, there’s a little pressure, but he was right there with me. He was just great today.”
Country Road, or “Cody,” was purchased by Guichard – who trains with Dendiu as an amateur – at the end of 2023, and the gelding has since been shown successfully in the Young Hunters by Dendiu and the Adult Amateur Hunters by Guichard.
“[The Blenheim Young Hunter Series] is a great way to bring along a young horse and get them good exposure in the ring,” concluded Dendiu. “You get to work all year and then finish out with a championship and see how your horse has developed throughout the year. It’s just a really good situation for all young horses.”
Paige Dendiu and Country Road. Photo by McCool Photography
For the win, Dendiu was presented with prizes from Mary’s Tack & Feed, a $2,500 Horseflight gift certificate, a show coat from Pacific Saddlery, a tack room pillow courtesy of Nick Byassee of Equestrian Design LLC and a custom Topline Design Ribbon Wreaths picture frame and gift certificate.
Finishing in second place in the championship class were Jamie Sailor and A La Minute Z, and third place went to Erin Duffy and Calidrio. For results of the $10,000 Blenheim Young Hunter Championship, click here, and for more information on all competition at Blenheim EquiSports, visit ThePlaceToJump.com.
Words From the Winner
Watch How They Won
