“Andrina Calder and HerzPrinz enjoy victory at the Red Hills Horse Trials.” Photo credit – Anna Calder

Andrina Calder Captures First Intermediate Event at Red Hills Horse Trials Tallahassee, Florida – Three day eventing athlete Andrina Calder, 15, claimed her first win at the challenging level of intermediate competition at the recent Red Hills Horse Trials held March 12-14 in Tallahassee, FL. Leading the field from start to finish, the native of Toronto, ON, completed the three day event with a final score of 48.2 penalty points. Following the opening phase of dressage, Calder earned a score of 34.2 to put her more than 10 penalty points ahead of her nearest competitor. “I thought my dressage was great,” enthused Calder who was riding her long-time partner, HerzPrinz, a 12-year-old American Trakehner gelding. “I was actually really happy, I thought my shoulder-ins were really good. I am finally getting the hang of it!”

The grueling cross-country test took its toll, narrowing the intermediate division to just two competitors. Calder, who had picked up 14 time penalties, stayed in front of the only other competitor still remaining, American Katherine Hodge.

“I thought that the cross-country was really nice, I was surprised that so many people had trouble,” commented Calder, who moved up to the intermediate level in 2004 as age requirements had previously prevented her from competing until the year she turned 16. “I find that I have to ride a lot more on cross-country at the intermediate level, I am very tired at the end of the course. Of course, my horse is the opposite, he is still pumped and ready to go at the end!”

Heading into the third and final phase of stadium jumping, Calder benefited from a 20-point lead.

“I enjoyed stadium because there was really no pressure, I could just go out and have fun,” said Calder. “I felt relaxed. I knew that no matter what happened, I would either be first or second.”

Calder was not the only rider from Independence Farm to capture first place honours. Her coach, Darren Chiacchia, was victorious in the CIC*** World Cup Qualifier division riding Windfall 2, his 2003 Pan Am Championship partner.

“I am so happy for Darren, he was awesome!” raved Calder. “I didn’t get to see his cross-country round, but I wish I had. Everyone told me it was faultless. For him to win and also place ninth and 15th is amazing!”

For the past five years, Calder has trained with Chiacchia at Independence Farm with locations in Buffalo, NY, and Ocala, FL. Calder’s competition record is a testament to Chiacchia’s successful training program. Calder started the 2004 season by claiming victory in the Preliminary Young Rider division at the Canterbury Horse Trials in Newberry, FL. After enjoying wins at the Rocking Horse Spring Horse Trials in Altoona, FL, the Beaulieu North American Classic with an incredibly low score of 29.9 penalty points, the CCIY* division at the Virginia Horse Trials in Lexington, VA, and Over The Walls Horse Trials in Hardwick, MA, Calder and HerzPrinz capped off the 2003 season by celebrating both individual and team victories in the CCIY/J* division of the North American Young Riders’ Championship. Calder was also named the United States Eventing Association (USEA) Junior Preliminary Rider of the Year for 2003.

For further information on Andrina Calder, please visit www.youngeventrider.com.

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