Indianapolis, IN – July 22, 2011 – The Circle City Equestrian Horse Show, which runs through July 24, hosted the $15,000 Welcome Stake as the highlight of Thursday’s class schedule. Spectators filled the seats of the Pepsi Coliseum to get a preview of the horse and rider combinations that will likely also participate in Saturday night’s $40,000 Grand Prix.

With a total of 20 entries in the class, course designer Guilherme Jorge built a strong course that saw eight clear rounds return for the jump-off. Lisa Goldman, of Hawthorne Woods, IL, had a total of three entries in the first round of the Welcome Stake. Returning last for the jump-off on her own mount Morocco, an eight-year-old Oldenburg Thoroughbred cross by Roc USA, Goldman took the blue with the fastest fault-free round. Making the win even a little sweeter, Goldman held on to her title after winning this same class at last year’s Circle City Equestrian Horse Show.

Going last in the jump-off was a definite advantage for Goldman, as she knew exactly what she needed to do to capture the win. “My horse is naturally fast, so my plan was just to go and put in a clean round,” explained Goldman.

As Goldman keeps winning with Morocco, it is apparent that the duo may have quite the winning streak going. After taking the top prize in their first Grand Prix together last week near Chicago, Goldman and Morocco are looking toward a win this Saturday night to make it three in a row.  “He absolutely loves his job,” beamed Goldman. “He was great!”

Lisa Goldman and Morocco with competition manager Tom Blankenship and Mary Goldman

Most of the horses that participated in this evening’s class will take it easy tomorrow, however many will reappear Saturday night as they vie for their piece of the $40,000 purse in the Circle City Equestrian Grand Prix. Stay tuned for results from the Grand Prix and other championships and awards throughout the weekend at the Circle City Equestrian Horse Show.

Yesterday in the hunters, numerous championships were awarded to exhibitors. While everyone relaxed and enjoyed the cool air conditioning inside the Pepsi Coliseum, Tammy Provost, from Westfield, IN, was all business with her multiple mounts in the Pre-Green Hunter division.

Andante, a five-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by Wendy Hofmeister, was ridden to the championship by Provost. While Andante has not done much showing in his young hunter career, he took to it like a pro winning four out the division’s five classes.

Andy, as he is called at home, was only recently purchased in Europe by owner Hofmeister. “We haven’t had him very long,” smiled Provost. “I think he is going to be very special though.”

Hofmeister and Provost have big plans for Andante’s future. “We will continue to show him throughout the rest of the summer and early fall,” explained Provost. “Then the goal is to show him at Capital Challenge in the Pre-Greens and Future Hunter Classic.”

For anyone planning on showing at Capital Challenge, or any indoor show in the fall, the Pepsi Coliseum and main arena at the Circle City Equestrian Horse Show is a great experience. With a great likeness to the arenas used during finals out east, it provides horses and riders a significant opportunity to become comfortable showing in an indoor venue.

The Welcome Stake course set by Guilherme Jorge in the Pepsi Coliseum

For more information regarding the Circle City Equestrian Horse Show visit their website at www.CCE500.org or find them on Facebook.