Charlotte Harris and E.S. Diathago 2 Secure ASPCA Horsemanship Medal
Wayne, Ill. – June 10, 2023 – Top riders gathered at the Main Hunter Ring on Saturday morning during Lamplight Spring Spectacular I to showcase their equitation skills in the ASPCA Horsemanship Medal. The scores were close, but overall it was Charlotte Harris and E.S. Diathago 2 who earned the day’s top prize following the over fences and flat phases. Brooke Tegtmeyer and Ervin placed second, while Maggie Lawler and Jackson Du Coeur Des Collines took home third place.
Charlotte Harris & E.S. Diathago 2
In the first round, riders were asked to ride accurately through bending lines, rollbacks and make multiple technical turns. Following that, the riders returned for the flat test to help determine the winner of the class.
Harris’ winning mount was E.S. Diathago 2, a 14 year-old Oldenburg by Diarado. “I’ve been with E.S. Diathago 2 for a while now,” she said. “I've been leasing him from Doris Neyra for a little over a year now. Caroline Weeden found him for me while he was a jumper, saw something amazing in him and helped him become the equitation horse he is today. He’s great with inside turns, so my plan was to take the inside track everywhere I could and make it as smooth as possible.”
Charlotte Harris & E.S. Diathago 2
“E.S. Diathago is the horse that took me from the three-foot to the National Horse Show Finals. My goal is to make it to the Maclay with him this year,” Harris explained. “He has such a great mind and is just a joy to ride!”
Harris expressed her love for the HITS Chicago concluding, “I love showing here at Lamplight! It’s close to home, the competition is great, it’s absolutely beautiful here, the jumps look amazing and it has such a rich history. My mom and grandma used to show here all the time too!”
One more day of competition remains as part of the first week of the Spring Spectacular Series at Lamplight Equestrian Center during the HITS Chicago Series, which runs through September at the world-class facility.
Brooke Tegtmeyer & Ervin
Maggie Lawler and Jackson Du Coeur Des Collines