Traverse City Horse Show - July 27, 2023

Thursday morning got off to a great start for Courtney Lenkart, as she piloted Peyton Rathbun’s Casallini to a score of 88 in the 3’6” Green Hunter division and, as a result, took the victory in the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Stake 3’6”-3’9”.

“It’s a first-year [green] horse that we bought last fall,” Lenkart, of Bartonville, TX, said of Casallini, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Casall. “We’ve been bringing him along all year. He shows with me in the Greens and with his owner in the Large Junior Hunters.”

When Lenkart first tried the horse, what initially stood out to her was his style and jumping ability. “He’s beautiful for one, and he’s so scopey and has a beautiful jump,” she continued. “I tried to really gallop on him today and I thought everything came up nicely out of stride. Sometimes I like to go too slow, so I was trying to gallop today and he was absolutely perfect.”

Courtney Lenkart and Chicoletto Charm $25,000.00
 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Courtney Lenkart’s new ride Chicoletto did not come all the way to America for second place. Just recently imported and only in his third horse show stateside, he captured the win with Lenkart aboard in the $25,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Mansfield Land Use Consultants, besting 33 competitive entries.

Owned by Mercedes Flett, Chicoletto came into Lenkart’s string earlier in 2023, and they’ve been getting to know one another quickly, showing as a pre-green and rising into the higher levels of the hunters as the horse has acclimated.